1985 k5 4x4 5.3l vortec swap

[Hamblin317]

Can't wait to see how this turns out, doing the same 5.3l swap in my 87, but mating it to a 5speed instead.

 

[flyboy1100]

wont the headers hit the frame if the engine moves side to side?

 

[spider_0072]

Some good news and some bad news

The good news is that I got all the wiring done and was able to here it run for the first time. It started on the first crank and idled out nicely at around 700 rpm, oil pressure was at 45 psi, and the fuel gauge appeared to reading correctly. Ran for about 5 to 10 minutes trying to bleed the air out of the cooling system and everything seemed good. Then I was checking for leaks and unfortunately spotted one you don't want to see. I saw coolant leaking from the drivers side head gasket around the #3 cylinder. That was enough excitement for one day, I called it a night. Next morning I put a pressure test on the cooling system of 10 psi and noticed a steady drip. So there's the bad news, blown head gasket or worse yet cracked head, won't know until I get it pulled off. Here are a few pics before I noticed the leak.

 

[spider_0072]

Glad the engine comes with a warranty

I called bow auto parts, where I purchased the complete dropout from. The reason I bought from is that they have a 6 month warranty on their parts and I knew it would take a few months before I got it in and running. I explained the issue with them and they reassured me they would make it right and would pay for the fix. Now its time to pull the head,yay! I will let you know how all this turns out, might be a few weeks more until I get it on the road. Might be a nice Xmas present for myself.

 

[spider_0072]

It's put back together

Bow auto sent me another head. Took both good heads to the machine shop and had them checked out along with a valve job since they were out. Went with ARP head bolts and GM head,intake, and manifold gaskets.

 

[spider_0072]

photos of the cracked head and tear down

Sorry, forgot to post the pics of it when I tore it down and where the head was cracked.

 

[spider_0072]

trick way to get coolant back in the block

My dad came up with a contraption to push coolant back into the block. Being that he is a retired pipefitter, this was right down his alley. He took a 4" pipe and placed a air hose fitting on one end and a valve on the other. I put a T into the heater hose and regulated 2psi going in. I filled the tube with coolant and slowly pushed the coolant in, having to refill the pipe a few times trying not to push in any air. Worked really good!

 

[350runner]

This is new two me... is this necessary?

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[HotRodPC]

Nice Build in Progress. I reget I haven't been following along since September. Tough break on the cracked head. It'll all be worth it though for sure.

 

[spider_0072]

This is new two me... is this necessary?

Sent from the dust in front of you!

It isn't necessary but sure helps getting coolant in with minimal air. You can't just fill the radiator to get coolant in the block, have to remove the top rad hose and start filling from the hose.

 

[DoubleDingo]

It isn't necessary but sure helps getting coolant in with minimal air. You can't just fill the radiator to get coolant in the block, have to remove the top rad hose and start filling from the hose.

The way I got coolant in the block was to remove the nipple for the heater hose from the intake, and using a small funnel, poured coolant until it was full, and then filled the radiator. It worked great and the level was spot on because it never dropped nor did the overflow get any overflow. First time I tried it like that and was pleased with results.

 

[DoubleDingo]

That engine cleaned up nicely. Nice project too.

I didn't see the photos of the "contraption" until after I logged in. That is an interesting set up, whatever gets the job done right

 

[350runner]

It isn't necessary but sure helps getting coolant in with minimal air. You can't just fill the radiator to get coolant in the block, have to remove the top rad hose and start filling from the hose.

Ah I see. Good to know thanks bud.

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[spider_0072]

Update- on the road

I just wanted to post an update as I've had it on the road for about a month now. It is now my daily driver and I'm loving every minute behind the wheel. I've put over a 1,000 miles on it since the swap with no issues to speak of. I know a lot of people are probably wondering what kind of mpg's I'm getting as that was always a question I could never get an answer to. I' be been averaging around 14 to 15 mpg which is mostly highway driving at 60 mph. Not too bad considering I was getting 10 mpgs with the carbureted 350 that was in it before. I'm running 33x12.5x15 general grabbers with 3.73 gears lifted 4 inches with zero aerodynamics to speak of. I'm very satisfied with the swap and love being able to go out, turn the key, and it fires right up every time!

 

[79K10]

nice truck!! cool build, it was fun to read through and check out the pics