5.3 into my 1987 SWB Stepside.

[87OldYeller]

Well I got started, and with the help of a few people I have been moving this project right along, most of what I have been getting done is prep work. I got the firewall and inner fender wells painted. Going to use some Pour-15 on the frame clean it up and drop in the old 5.3L. I have to say a big thanks to Aussie, as he has been a huge help. But here are some pictures of what I started with and where I am at.

I got this truck in March of 2007. At the time the new rebuilt 305 was not ready to run, and it was 3 different colors. I quickly got it on the road and one color of primer and moved to this point





Then i pulled it off the road and started this project.
























But this is to point I am at. Hope to get back some of our warm Alabama weather back soon and get started again.

[87OldYeller]

I just have a question. I want to put a small cam in my 5.3L. My question is will the stock computer work well with most small cams? and if so what would be a good choice. i really am not looking to do a stall converter, or any serious up grades just small cam, intake and headers. EGR and All EVAP stuff had been cleared out of the computer when it was reprogrammed.

[lechez71]

looks good firewall looks clean. what did you paint the fenderwheels with spay can, or a spray gun? when you put the cam in get it tuned itll run much better.

[87OldYeller]

looks good firewall looks clean. what did you paint the fenderwheels with spay can, or a spray gun? when you put the cam in get it tuned itll run much better.

Well i used a can but i had it connected to a sprayer is controls the flow and spread pattern. but i sanded, primed and prep ed went over everything with the tac cloths really good. I am happy with the way it came out real smooth and slick. but you wont see much of it by the time i put the heat-a/c box back in and i hope to bolt in the 5.3 next week. so more pictures to come soon if i do not get sent off to Haiti. *L*

[87OldYeller]

Here is what i got done this afternoon, The 5.3L and the 4L60E is in. Here are some picures.

[A2theR84]

lookin good you have to clearance for the exhaust then?
I plan on puttin a 6.0 in this summer in my 86, but with carb th400, so im subscribin to this

[87OldYeller]

acutally no i do not have the room. i do not want to cut the frame, so i am going to get the headers and have them cut and add 2 inches at the flange so they will clear the frame.

lookin good you have to clearance for the exhaust then?
I plan on puttin a 6.0 in this summer in my 86, but with carb th400, so im subscribin to this

[Venom]

what headers r u getting and what do u have to do to them for them to fit?

[87OldYeller]

what headers r u getting and what do u have to do to them for them to fit?

header from summit part# SUM-G9048 $153.93 they are shorty headers fit 99-04 truck requires slight mods to PASS side rail

you can cut a small chunk out of the frame so it will clear or, you can do as i am i am going to cat the header off at the flange and and add about 2 inches of pipe in to it.

[87OldYeller]

Here is some of what I got done today







doesn’t look like much but removed all the old fuel lines, cleaned the frame some, bolted in the core support, got everything lined up and bolted in. Now just to wait on my wiring harness and computer.