68 c/10 5.3/4L60e swap "Project Black Cherry"

My name is Steven and I am new to the c/10 lifestyle. I have never owned a truck before, let alone a classic one. I recently purchased my 68 Chevy c/10 with a 5.3/4L60e swap. The guy i bought it from was going through a financial hardship and had already done most of the work to the truck. The cab corners, and rocker panels have been replaced as well as removing the gas tank from the rear seat and welding off the factory filler location.

I will have tons of questions about building my truck to my liking and figured this was the best place to seek out the help from fellow chevy truck enthusiast.

I have owned several nice cars, in my mind, in the past and love to learn new things about different types of vehicles.

Here are some photos as the trucks sits at the moment. He did most of the body work and had the cab and bed already painted, so i may as well paint the front end to match, and enjoy the truck the current color it is before taking it all apart and going with a two tone orange/white cheyenne look.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psb2610fc1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps231fc656.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps010f52e2.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps8d0b470c.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps3d5b875e.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psc3fb2415.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...pscecd330b.jpg


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psef281837.jpg

I am a San Antonio, Texas resident & i'll try post some other pics in the next few days.


-Steven :chevy:

welcome and nice truck

Pretty sweet truck. I wish I could come across one like that.

Anyway, welcome to the site. Any questions you may have, just ask.

Thanks guys. I need advice as to what parts to order.

Need the following.

-Raditor/ with fans
-Driveshaft
-Fuel tank/pump/lines etc.
-Brake booster
-Better gear box

Only one place for the shaft. To the right our sponsor.
I believe a four inch diameter won't fit due to the support across the frame.
Unless you open the support hole up; we did on a '68 and it works.

Pick the pump you need based on the hp level of your engine. Most offer an internal and external pump.

Got a radiator, now just need a fan kit and other little hardware. Anyone know a certain part # for a upper and lower hose i can purchase?

Also, I noticed when i tried mocking it uo, that the passenger side mounting bracket on the bottom of the radiator support didnt line up. Is there a way to remove this bracket? Pic of bracket below.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps1b4a5a2e.jpg

I purchased a new radiator support with all new mounting hardware. Just wanted to see if it fit, or how tight of a fit it would me.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psf91d5cac.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psbfdf9ce8.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...pse58359b8.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps3b557a13.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps1d2b06f3.jpg

these were just some mock up fans i used to check clearance. Anyone have a nice fan set they recommend? Can i just get some from a certain veh at a junkyard?
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps9b94f5ec.jpg

I like the ford windstar fans. They look pretty good and move a lot of air.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kerrige

I like the ford windstar fans. They look pretty good and move a lot of air.

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Would you happen to have a part # on them? How much do they normally go for?

Sorry for the late response here. As for the upper hose, a stock 99-06 GM truck hose will work. I don't remember the exact number I used on the lower hose, but I just went to my local NAPA and searched through till I found something that would work. I'll dig through my stuff and see if I can find the part # I used.

It looks like the radiator you have doesn't really fit as intended, but could be made to work. I know this guy builds some high quality stuff. http://www.rndfabrication.com/C10middle.html

For the fans, there's lots of options depending on budget. The link above has them. There are several vendors at 67-72chevytrucks.com that offer electric fan kits. Dave's Truck Parts in Claremont, NC has a pretty nice radiator and dual fan setup with shroud, controllers, switches and all to operate it. It's a bolt in system.

For a brake booster, I used this one form POL. http://www.performanceonline.com/196...TER-KIT-16667/

For the fuel tank, I personally have a rear tank from Doc's Kustom Tanks, but I'm still carbureted with an external fuel pump. A lot of guys use tanks from Boyd's Welding. They can be made to use whatever style/brand pump you wish to use. Fuel lines are easiest to build with -6 or -8 AN lines.

I assume you mean a power steering gearbox. If so, the stock box works fine unless you need quick ratio. ECE sells both stock replacement and quick ratio boxes. Lee power steering can build you a pretty stout gearbox. http://lee-powersteering.com NoLimit also sells a rack and pinion conversion kit that's pretty slick. nolimit.net

BTW, I also noticed your power steering pump has the outlet for a hydroboost brake booster. You can pick those up fairly inexpensive at salvage yards from 99-01? Chevy/ GMC full size trucks.

Thanks a bunch for the response Slick68, I appreciate that. Seems a little hard to get some feedback on this site unless you're a member with some time. Either way I appreciate the advice and will look into those sites. I'm like a teenager with his brand new veh with this truck, or at least that's how i feel. I personally don't like the way the radiator fits either. It belongs to a friend that supposedly ordered it for a customer of his that is also doing a swap. I'm not sure why he ordered it with those dimensions cause it seems to fit funny. I will most likely order a boyds custom tank as well since i am wanting to run an internal pump.

Got my new radiator support, but the radiator I got from a friend doesn't really fit that well, I'm kinda thinking about buying a RnD radiator and shroud kit, but they sure are pricy!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps88435dd9.jpg

Got some more parts for the truck.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psa3aa3db6.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psffc9d647.jpg

I could've sworn that these came with the led boards as specified when I placed the order but no luck, I'll have to call Fesler and double check.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psc2427b2e.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps5f76a3df.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps3d54352d.jpg

Some more goodies arrived.

Alper Motorsports billet 3bolt to 4bolt TB adapter
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psc1115176.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps1c07c758.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps736f966c.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psb4a9d357.jpg

New GM 90mm ls7 style Throttle Body
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psfe2c25ad.jpg

Lokar flexible aluminum trans dipstick
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps41637a0a.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps63192b00.jpg

I'm having an issue with the bottom of the 90mm tb hitting the neck of the water pump, need some advice as to what you guys would do in this situation?

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps67c0b7dc.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps8eae9b42.jpg

i have that lokar dipstik too. nice looking piece but damn its pricy huh!! i thought oh well, it looks great! well after its installed, who can even see it!!?? haha oh well, live n learn.

anyway, i havnt done this myself but ive heard of guys heating up the neck with a torch and twisting it so it faces forward. i think that was to clear the AC pump bracket for guys who mounted it up high on the passenger side. not sure if this will help you or not. maybe you could look and see if that would work or not. if not, all i can suggest is looking around for a 90 degree neck?? dont know if they make one. just a thought.

one last thought i just had, i think car accessories are different than trucks so its possible the ls7 (corvette right?) had a different water pump that put the outlet in a different location??? look into that. but then you might have issues lining up the pulley... good luck!

Pull out the neck and weld on a shorter one?
Redrill plate and tap for new holes; crook'd throttle body lol.
Camaro water pump, which is probably the easiest; but more cost, what the hell it's just money.

Looks like the neck needs to be rotated clockwise to clear the TB. You can heat the water pump with a torch and place a wooden dowel or handle inside the neck for a lever. I have done this to clear my A/C bracket. It worked like a charm.

just found these pics in the thread next to yours where the guy is asking for pics of wire harness routing. looks like the do in fact make a different water pump.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSCN1720.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSCN1719.jpg

his username is rpm graphics. shoot him a pm. I'm sure he could tell u what it's off of.

The pics 'Jay are referring to are of a water pump from the Camaro/Corvette, or any other LS powered car. I believe only the trucks and SUVs came with the top water neck.

google a pic of a 2007 escalade 6.2 water pump.The outlet is on top,but has a different angle. It will also line up with the truck accessory drive. I used this on my 5.3 with a car intake and it cleared nicely. Hope this helps. Happy new year!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by exboatracer

google a pic of a 2007 escalade 6.2 water pump.The outlet is on top,but has a different angle. It will also line up with the truck accessory drive. I used this on my 5.3 with a car intake and it cleared nicely. Hope this helps. Happy new year!

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Thanks, that's what I ended up doing.

Got my pump in.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...psbbf7c126.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps6feba0d8.jpg

and doing some work to my bracket and alternator housings
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...ps8cbda3ef.jpg

Glad I could help you out. Don't be afraid to ask questions,theres always someone out there who has the answer.You have a great looking truck,enjoy it and take your time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steven68

I'm kinda thinking about buying a RnD radiator and shroud kit, but they sure are pricy!

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I just saw this thread and wanted to offer a reply. Ours are not the cheapest out there, but then again ours are made by hand to order right here in the USA, using US-Sourced materials. We TIG weld the entire unit, and there is never any glue or epoxy used in our radiators. We are a direct competitor of BeCool, but at about half the price. We build for a lot of show cars, race cars and high end vehicles. Also, we do offer discounts for forum members, just mention the forum you found us on when ordering and we give a $25 discount off the price of the radiator. Let me know if you have any questions, and if we can help on your build.