68 to LS1 motor swap Questions.. HELP plz !!

[Thrmn8r]

Ok.. been doing body work for a long time.. almost done, but getting close to dealing with other issues.
Have a few questions I can't seem to find answers on.
Starting with a 1968 GMC..
Installing a 2002 5.3L Vortec & 4L60E Tranny.
Radiator..
Need to get a new one.. do I order a 68 like orig, or a 2002 and modify mounts?
Will upper and lower radiator hose fit if I use 68 orig style radiator.
The O.D. of water inlet / outlets look like they do not match up.

Power Steering...
Using pump that came with 2002 motor.. but using 1972 Power steering box,
What, and where do I find the proper fittings to match up the new hose to old style steering box ?

Fuel...
I ditched the in-cab tank and welded up the hole. Want a under bed style tank, .. bought the kit from Classic Truck Parts, and already returned it a week later.
It is too deep for a lowered truck. Too deep / low to the ground for my style.
Is there a shallower one ??
Fuel pump.. which one / system is best ?
This motor has a cable system.. do I need to build modify something to work ??

Transmission...
Gonna use the 4L60e that came with motor.
Do ya have to create a shift linkage set up to work with column shift ?
How do you address overdrive ?? How do you engage it if there is no button on column shift ?
Speedo ?? see next item !!

Guages...
Do / can you use stock gauges ?
Will fuel gauge hook up normally ?
Speedometer ?
Oil pressure ?
Ignition switch ???

Do you need a check engine light on dash ??

These are all the questions I know about.. I am sure I will find more.

You all helped me big time on the engine mounts, and the header situation, and I greatly appreciate it.
I am trying to get all the body work done so I can get it painted, and then tackle all of the above fun times I have in the future !!!

Thanks

[usmcchevy]

Most if not all of your questions are answered in the LSx FAQ:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456787

Lots of reading but well worth it!

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Thrmn8r

Power Steering...
Using pump that came with 2002 motor.. but using 1972 Power steering box,
What, and where do I find the proper fittings to match up the new hose to old style steering box ?

You can go to a place like Parker Store or Aerco that will swage a hose together for you. Usually about $20-35

I actually just cut the old fitting off of the hose, and re-flared the metal end on my newer hose to accept it.

Originally Posted by Thrmn8r

Fuel...
Fuel pump.. which one / system is best ?
This motor has a cable system.. do I need to build modify something to work ??

I run a 255lph external in line pump, inline filter, and -6 an line. running it external makes is easy to access, and I can twin the pumps if i need more fuel for my future setup.

Originally Posted by Thrmn8r

Transmission...
Gonna use the 4L60e that came with motor.
Do ya have to create a shift linkage set up to work with column shift ?
How do you address overdrive ?? How do you engage it if there is no button on column shift ?

Overdrive should engage automatically, when you are in D. Usually the button is for disengaging o/d, for towing.

Originally Posted by Thrmn8r

Guages...
Do / can you use stock gauges ?
Will fuel gauge hook up normally ?
Speedometer ?
Oil pressure ?
Ignition switch ???

Do you need a check engine light on dash ??

Thanks

Stock speedo will not work unless you run a cable to digital converter. They run around $300, IMO its just not worth it. Any electronic speedo would work fine. Oil pressure is pretty much the same across the board, stock or aftermarket should work (analog fluid gauge, not electric gauge).
I used my stock ignition switch and tumbler, hooked up to the "new" ignition. Works fine.

Mine isn't a 68, but my 66 should be very similar.

[Clyde65]

Temp sender will be different, also you will need to to drill out your pass side head to fit the temp sender of your choice.

[BR3W CITY]

I should also mention you can cheat and run something like a scangauge as i did. Its kind of a shortcut to alot of gauge info, without all the gauges. My temp is read through the pcm, so i didn't have to drill the head.

As for the gas gauge, any one would work fine, just make sure it uses the same resistance sweep as your sending unit.

[Robznob11]

I run a 02 vette radiator because you can get it for a 100 bucks or less and it has a oil cooler and tranny cooler built in. its smaller and takes a little trimming and fabed brackets. I run a camaro tank under the rear stock intank truck pump. make my own lines check fuel line thread. I would wire it up with a check engine light and gm plug. you normally need to cut the top radiator hose if you run the truck style cause its to long you can get a connector that will accept a mechanical temp gauge to run there. the oil sensor in the back of the manifold can be removed. break off the top and drill and tap for 1/8 pipe and run any mechanical oil press gauge. speed o needs to be electronic. tach needs to be programmable to 4 cyl caus thats what the pcm puts out. I wired mine my self from the lt1 swap site and it fired right up no problems. I sent my pcm to wait4me performance to be tuned and vast removed 75 bucks. there are better options . I live 30 min from texas speed when i do the cam swap they will tune it better Im sure but I have had no issues with the tune it has and it is turned up as much as you can for a stocker. I run a b&m pro ratchet they make a kit that bolts to the tranny and shifts all 4 fine.

[Robznob11]

also camaro e fans work great on the vette radiator. a new truck radiator will probably be too tall. you will need some sort of radiator expansion tank mines off a cavilier. Im not running ps or ac I have a smaller belt rerouted