Starting the Swap
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Starting the Swap This is my 6.0 going into my '39 Chevy where a 327 was just removed. It's a little snug, but should be okay. More photos later as I get further along. Just trial fitting things now.
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Hey looks like you are off to a good start. Also looks like you might have some exhaust/steering challenges. Glad to see more people putting these motors into older vehicles. I was at a car show yesterday with about 225 cars, there were 3 cars with LSx motors in them, not counting the Vettes and Camaros with stock ones. But then if everyone did it I guess it would not be so special any more 
Keep us posted and good luck with your swap. You made a great choice
Pat
Keep us posted and good luck with your swap. You made a great choice
Pat
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Exhaust issues?? I've got them! The left side would come really close, but the right side won't fit, even after grinding away some screw bosses and tabs. Worse still, I can't seem to find any block huggers, except Sanderson. They are good, but $$!!
Also, the A/C compressor is hitting the frame on the right side, keeping the motor from settling down into the mount on that side. Frame is notched already for the Mustang rack. Needs another notch for clearance. Should I notch it again, or try another compressor/mount set-up?? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
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Also, the A/C compressor is hitting the frame on the right side, keeping the motor from settling down into the mount on that side. Frame is notched already for the Mustang rack. Needs another notch for clearance. Should I notch it again, or try another compressor/mount set-up?? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
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[/IMG] I used Sandersons on my swap. They were great to work with. I bought a set of their plain steel headers knowing I would have to modify them. They have several models for the LS1 and I bought the set that looked like it would fit best. The passenger side was fine, we have to move all the pipes on the driver side, some more than others. Once we had them done I sent them back to Sanderson and they ceramic coated them for me for just $110. They also provided me with a whole box full of scrap pipe bends to use for our mods for $20. I have my header mods well documented in my project journal in my signature.
There are a few options to mount the AC compressor up high, all of them are pricey. If you can reasonably notch the frame I would strongly consider that. Do you have AC in your '39 before? S&P and Vintage air make mounts to put a Sanden compressor in the low position if you think that would fit better.
Pat
There are a few options to mount the AC compressor up high, all of them are pricey. If you can reasonably notch the frame I would strongly consider that. Do you have AC in your '39 before? S&P and Vintage air make mounts to put a Sanden compressor in the low position if you think that would fit better.
Pat
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Jack,
The top photo shows the polished Sanden style compressor that was on the original 327. I agree that notching the frame is probably the best avenue. By keeping the compressor in its original location, I can still use all the factory belts, etc. making life after the swap much easier.
Hooker makes an LS1 (Gen III) header that looks like it may work as is. I'll have them tomorrow to see for sure. Like you, the right side won't be too tough, but the left side is a little more problematical.
Thanks for all the help and advice. Hope I can return the favor someday.
The top photo shows the polished Sanden style compressor that was on the original 327. I agree that notching the frame is probably the best avenue. By keeping the compressor in its original location, I can still use all the factory belts, etc. making life after the swap much easier.
Hooker makes an LS1 (Gen III) header that looks like it may work as is. I'll have them tomorrow to see for sure. Like you, the right side won't be too tough, but the left side is a little more problematical.
Thanks for all the help and advice. Hope I can return the favor someday.
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In looking at the photo of the A/C Compressor.. I would also consider how much of the frame will be notched and what will be left. Re-enforceing it might help.. but consider how strong and safe the frame will be after you have notched and re-enforced it.
that compressor appears to be almost extending pass 1/2 way across the width of the frame and give it another 1/2" more.. you many not have much frame left.
that compressor appears to be almost extending pass 1/2 way across the width of the frame and give it another 1/2" more.. you many not have much frame left.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,148
Likes: 12
From: Downers Grove, IL
I am in the process of making a bracket to mount a 96 camaro compressor high on the passenger head, that looks like it may work in your application. I will post pics/dimensions when I am done.
I switch a gto compressor to a camaro and it is smaller. A while back there was some one on here that swapped from a truck compressor to a camaro so it would fit better, but not sure who.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Still workin' away Had the frame "notched" with plenty of re-inforcment. Actually there is much more metal in there now than there was originally. Even though it is narrower by nearly half the width, there is so much more metal in the "notch" it must be significantly stronger! At least I hope it is!!
These are Hooker Block huggers and they "almost" clear the steering. I will need to "mash" the pipe a small amount on the # 3 cylinder (2nd pipe from the front). Engine sits level now and after I repaint the firewall, I'll reinstall it for keeps! I'll also grind it smooth prior to repainting the frame there.
Smaller compressor? I think the compressors are all the same, and besides, I'd rather be able to use factory belts and accessories. I could use some fittings for this one. Any ideas there?? Shoulda kept the original ones...GRRR
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These are Hooker Block huggers and they "almost" clear the steering. I will need to "mash" the pipe a small amount on the # 3 cylinder (2nd pipe from the front). Engine sits level now and after I repaint the firewall, I'll reinstall it for keeps! I'll also grind it smooth prior to repainting the frame there.
Smaller compressor? I think the compressors are all the same, and besides, I'd rather be able to use factory belts and accessories. I could use some fittings for this one. Any ideas there?? Shoulda kept the original ones...GRRR
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[/IMG] Last edited by wagonmaster; Jun 4, 2006 at 08:10 PM. Reason: spelling
I purchased some "peanut" blocks from "docsblocks.com", they will allow the Vintage Air hoses to fit that compressor, but It looks like the exit holes go strait into the frame where you notched it. Could be a tight fit.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Thanks Larry,
Actually the hoses will be fine, they exit above the frame and into the clear. Will have to modify my inner fender, more than likely, but that's a small price to pay for Gen III performance and reliability. Appreciate the info.
Actually the hoses will be fine, they exit above the frame and into the clear. Will have to modify my inner fender, more than likely, but that's a small price to pay for Gen III performance and reliability. Appreciate the info.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
header on! After a few false starts, I finally massaged the Hooker shorties enough to get them on. The drivers side had to have the # 3 cylinder (2nd pipe) flatened, just a tad. The passenger side, that I thought was going to "drop" on....didn't! Had to cut the motor mount "web" to allow the header on and then had to trim the Corvette motor mount "tab" to allow them to sit "down" into position. After all of that, I still had to flatten the collector just above the flange to give adequate frame clearance. NOW I can at least have a starting point for the exhaust bends, etc.
The long tubes "free flowing over/under the frame were out of the question. Not near enough room or fabrication skills to pull that off and still close the hood and steer the car. Nice thought though. Shorties were the only logical choice.
The car has a stock '39 Chevy frame and a Mustang II rack and pinion setup. Now if I can get the corrected radiator in here and on, I can start the plumbing, wiring process. The new harness has lotsa stuff on it (made from the original harness) that doesn't seem to be in the right place. I'm sure it'll all come together, but this part is more of a challenge that I thought it would be.
Header pictures....
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Thanks for all the help and support!
The long tubes "free flowing over/under the frame were out of the question. Not near enough room or fabrication skills to pull that off and still close the hood and steer the car. Nice thought though. Shorties were the only logical choice.
The car has a stock '39 Chevy frame and a Mustang II rack and pinion setup. Now if I can get the corrected radiator in here and on, I can start the plumbing, wiring process. The new harness has lotsa stuff on it (made from the original harness) that doesn't seem to be in the right place. I'm sure it'll all come together, but this part is more of a challenge that I thought it would be.
Header pictures....
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[/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] Thanks for all the help and support!
Last edited by wagonmaster; Jun 17, 2006 at 10:54 AM. Reason: spelling