[Philip]

I run 3.73's in mine. I think they're about perfect with a 28" tall tire. With the double over of the T-56 I think a person could get by quite well with 4.10's also. Are you going to use the trans you're running now behind it?

Yes for now the 4L80 will be staying. Not sure about the 3.31 gear. I'm going to drop down from a 29" tire to a 27" but still not sure it has enough gear. Work is going to resume this weekend and hopefully by next Friday it will be back on the road.

 

[Philip]

Love that wagon...Colour is so right for a car that size! You did an amazing job...

Thanks it is actually an original 72 color. The wagon I had started to build was that color, this one was white. Parts from both were used.

 

[busterwivell]

Thanks it is actually an original 72 color. The wagon I had started to build was that color, this one was white. Parts from both were used.

I'll say!

 

[ryeguy2006a]

What mounts are you using for the LS swap?

 

[Philip]

I'll say!

Those 5 coats of white paint were fun to remove

What mounts are you using for the LS swap?

I'm using engine swap plates from Church Boys Racing and Energy Suspension motor mounts.

 

[deserttaco]

Where's the pictures of the progress?!?!

 

[Dean]

You never fail to amaze me with your mechanical knowledge and ability Philip.

 

[busterwivell]

You never fail to amaze me with your mechanical knowledge and ability Philip.

Every time I'm around him, I learn something new,

 

[Philip]

What mounts are you using for the LS swap?

The CBR mounts were made specifically for a Nova and not for a Chevelle. I thought accurate measurements were made and they would work. Guess walking the 12' between the cars was to hard on the memory. Ordered a set of ICT Billet plates, I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[Philip]

Where's the pictures of the progress?!?!

OKAY okay, here some photos for you 😉
All went well removing the engine, the harness and cleaning. Bill powder coated the accessory drive bracket, bought a new power steering pump, new 145a alternator and with Bills help fed the new harness through the firewall.

BTW that's a G body column, less expensive way to get a tilt.
Since I messed up on measuring the mount to bellhousing distance the plates I had would not work. While waiting for another set the inside the car electrical wiring was started. There were many wires that went nowhere to be removed before tying in the new harness.
In 2017 everything was done and we went for a ride around the subdivision, engine ran well, sounded good but the transmission wouldn't shift. Nothing I did helped, Steve drove down from Phoenix and helped trouble shoot the issue. In the process wires were added, wires were cut and in the end the transmission worked. Rather than tidy it all up right then it was bundled and hidden. In addition to removing 40' of wiring a few things that should have been fixed earlier have been. Seats move with the key off now, added a trigger wire for the electric fans to run when the AC is on, added the wiring to use a transmission performance mode switch and wired in a PNP Park Neutral position) switch. That will adjust the idle when in gear and when the AC is on.
So here is what it all looks like now, not pretty, but it is hidden in the console.

Inside the console, out of site and easy to access.

 

[Philip]

Purchased a smaller PS pulley to install, then the engine is ready to go in . Everything else will be bolted on after installation.

Bill made the intake look new again, the cover is from a 2000 Tahoe. They were discontinued for 01, replaced by a larger one with only one bolt.

The truck dipstick was way to long, used an LS3 stick and tube to mark and shorten the truck stick. Easy and free

 

[Philip]

The ICT engine mount plates arrived today, there are 4 positions. Closest to the front of the engine places in stock position. The other 3 move the engine/transmission forward of stock. Tomorrow is install day, Bill is going to join in on the fun. Curious to see which one of us draws first blood 😂

 

[busterwivell]

LOL! It's bound to happen.............

 

[deserttaco]

Tomorrow is install day, Bill is going to join in on the fun. Curious to see which one of us draws first blood 😂

if you guys need a hand let me know. I’m only a few hours away.

 

[Philip]

Thanks Steve we did get it in but not without some trial and errors.
First issue was not having a place to secure the transmission dipstick. That mounting hole doesn't exist on the LS blocks. It needed to bolt to the head and buying another dipstick wasn't in the budget. Looking carefully at the transmission case I noticed the holes were 1/2" on the engine side, 3/8" on the transmission side. A 5/16" bolt fit in the hole, slid the mounting tab over that and secured it using double nuts.

The 1st position on the ICT Billet plates was not optimum, the mounts were moved to the next one which moves the engine forward .600" and this location worked great. Checked driveshaft engagement and it is good. There is plenty of firewall clearance now, the 2 top bellhousing bolts can be accessed easily. A smaller power steering pump pulley was needed to clear the steering gear. The offset was different but it went on far enough to align to the other pulleys. Not sure yet how the smaller diameter will affect the steering and brakes.

Leaving for New Mexico with Bill in the morning for the Copper Classic car show in Silver City New Mexico. I need a break and haven't been to any shows in 2 years. The guy that owns my 77 Nova may be there, it will be nice to see the car again.

 

[deserttaco]

Hope you and Bill have fun out there in Silver City! I'll be down your way the Sept 30th-Oct 2nd for the duct tape drags again. My 70 is basically untouched besides having Dakota Digital repair the clock crystals in my cluster... The LSA Swap should start after The Duct Tape drags, so it'll be a bit of a last hurrah for the LS2/T56.

 

[Philip]

I'll mark that on my calender. Didn't get to see it run last time.

 

[busterwivell]

Unfortunately, that's Good Guys Del Mar weekend. I'm committed to that.

 

[Robinls5]

Hey Philip,,, How ya doing? With my wagon and the 468 I drove it to the Ohio and MD. show. Mine has a Q-Jet along with 700R & a 3:07 12 bolt. At 73 / 75 MPH. in ( electronic cruise cont. ) on the I-State I get always around 17.8 to 18,3. With my rear gear the 468 is spinning 1975 RPMs at 75 MPH. I did a complete R134 conversion. I bought a P.Flow condenser from the Fla. guys. ( The condenser fits a 70 / 72 Chevelle, Uses all factory nuts bolts & brackets) I worked with these folks to get it correct for a 70/72.
For me the cats meow was the new 10 Cyl. All Alum. Compressor, ( its built to spin high RPMs for the new L.S. type Engines,),, Also , The Alum. did not look right so I had them paint it black. The best part is that is uses ALL the 1970 factory brackets & hoses. Its the PERFECT replacement for the A-6, ( no chainsaw needed) How well is the 134 A/C operating on a 80/90 degree day? After about a half hour the wife has the fan on LOW and has a wing window cracked open. The new 10 cyl. R-134 compressor is a killer.
Mr. Philip......... If this new engine does not make you happy, Whatz next a new MOPAR 392 HEMI? If so. Just keep the hood shut ! ! ! Have FUN with your L.S.
Bob

 

[Philip]

Thought I would post a quick update to let you know it has been started. After the VATS was disabled it fired right up. Still have a lot of work to get it back on the road but I'm happy. Wednesday it gets exhaust done after that I'll be able to run it more without irritating the neighbors. The belt alignment was terrible finally have everything running true by placing different thickness spacers on the idler, alternator and AC mountings.
One thing I did not expect to have trouble with was the transmission. For reasons not yet clear to me the electrical connector leaks with the harness plug installed. Remove the connector the leak stops. Plug the old connector in and no leak Not sure what to do but only have tomorrow to resolve it before exhaust pipes are in the way. I'm going to call the company that built the harness to see if they have any suggestions. Anybody here have any?

LQ4 first start open manifolds, no O2's, no MAF but it's running