My 67 LS swap on a budget

[Nima]

Here is the story:
I have this truck for almost 19 years. It was my first older vehicle which I bought when I was in my mid 30s. I didn't know much about older cars/trucks (not that I am an expert now!). It is not all original, but it is CA car with absolutely no rust. While we were living in LA, whenever time and money would allow, I would work on it and throughout the years I made few improvements: cleaned up the interior, fixed up the brake and installed 4 wheels 8 lug disc brake, front suspension, a T5 conversion instead of 3on3, got the engine running okay enough for short drive around the neighborhood and etc. One thing that I always had issue with was tuning the carb and getting it drive smoothly. I was told the engine (a 350 which is not original to the truck) has some valve guide and cylinder head issues. Then work/life got in the way and later on we moved to WA about 7 years ago. I had a place in LA which I kept the truck after the move and I was fiddling with it whenever we visited CA. So, I lost the space few months ago and I had to either sell the truck or bring it up to WA. Obviously the truck is here now and although it is very hard for me to let go of the original CA black plate I though I just keep it here. Since I am/was heavily involved with my 1953 truck project (you can see in my sig I have acquired few projects throughout the years!) and now this one is here which has some drivability issue, I though I just drop in a 5.3 that I have sitting around for future projects, then maybe I can drive my 67 as it was intended: a daily driver!
This would be a budget built for me and hopefully a fast one. I have few leftover parts from my other LS swap which I plan to use but I need to think about the clutch system and I also need a set of headers. Here we go:

[Nima]

The old engine has been leaking for a while, for the 19 years that I know of. Some of the brake line clamps just snapped. They are zip tied for now!
I plan to reuse the stock cast Bellhousing but I think the bell crossmember has to go. I believe it will interfere with headers. Since this is (hopefully) a fast budget built, and since the engine is a stock 5.3 with no power added, I plan to reuse my T5 which I rebuilt when I did the T5 swap. It is not the ideal tranny but it doesn't cost me anything. Besides, this is not going to be a tow vehicle or drag car.
I have already modified the wiring harness. For the stand alone engine harness, I am using a junkyard sourced (I have forgotten what car I took it off) fuse box. I have reconfigured one of the relays since I plan to use Ford Taurus two speed fan which required very high initial amp draw at high speed.

[Nima]

I went ahead and order a brand new stock clutch set despite the fact my existing clutch was not too bad, but since I am using a new flywheel, I though $80 for a set of new clutch (Sach # 190902) worth the investment. The part # for pilot bearing is GM CT1082 and the flywheel is Sach NFW 1050.
I was luck with the bellhousing runout on the 5.3 but IU had to cut the corner of it for the starter to fit:

[Nima]

So, I hated the stock engine mount and how cumbersome it is to install. I ordered a set from POL but then I got a notification they are on back order. So, I made my own. I cut a section of DOM tubing with 3/16 wall thickness, grind down the center of the engine mount bracket to get stronger weld and I have later model engine mount:

[Nima]

The engine is in. The new mount setup makes the engine sit about 3/4" higher. I don't know if this would be the case with POL engine mount bracket or not. Regardless, I am very happy with the stock oil pan clearance now, in addition to saving couple of hundred dollars

[MARKDTN]

Nice!

[Nima]

Okay, engine is in. The mounts worked great. I used engine mount adaptors from ICTbillet and engine mounts from Energy suspension (overkilled for my application). To keep my spending low, I used a set up long tube headers from Speed engineering. I have used their headers on couple other projects and despite their low prices, they have had good quality so far. I wrapped the headers with left over wraps and that is the difference in colors!

[Nima]

I had to trim the ears of the cast Bellhousing and remove the bells crossmember to allow the long tube headers to fit. Also, I had to massage the frame a little on the passenger side a little since the header was about touching the frame which I didn't like. Of course I have to fix the brake line. The clamps have been removed for now.

[Nima]

Installed the transmission and made a tranny crossmember to accommodate 2.5" exhaust. Installed the driveshaft back up and finally, I finished the exhaust up to rear axle.

[Nima]

Okay, I cleaned up the intake, flushed all the fuel injectors and fuel rails and installed the intake.
Also, I started the wiring.
At the same time, I am swapping to Hydroboost and power steering. I am working on a bracket for Hydroboost.

[Nima]

I am planning to use a Hydroboost from a 95 Astro van which I picked up from the local yard few years ago. I Can't use the existing 4 mounting bolt since the Hydroboost mounting plate will place it higher than the center hole is located. So, I came up with this bracket. The bolts on the bracket has been welded which makes mounting the Hydroboost a lot easier.

[Nima]

At the end, I had to enlarge the firewall center hole to match the bracket for the Hydrobbost be flush with the firewall and also, make couple of extra mounting hole on the Hydroboost mounting plate. Now, it mounts on the firewall with total of 5 bolts instead of 4:

[biketopia]

looks real good and down and dirty.

[scottmitchellrose]

Originally Posted by Nima

At the end, I had to enlarge the firewall center hole to match the bracket for the Hydrobbost be flush with the firewall and also, make couple of extra mounting hole on the Hydroboost mounting plate. Now, it mounts on the firewall with total of 5 bolts instead of 4:

brilliant! saving this thread. Scott

[Nima]

Trying to finish up some little things:
Finishing the hydroboost bracket and doing the final assembly, making proportioning valve bracket and doing some brake line. I also, removed the old heather box, covered the firewall, made a mounting plate for 5.3 stock coolant reservoir:

[Nima]

I plan to use Taurus two speed fan picked up from junk yard. I am reusing the stock radiator since it looks very clean inside and also using the stock fan shroud:

[Nima]

Swap to Power steering since I was at it:

[Nima]

Finished up the ECU and fuse panel setup under the hood.
I also had to remove the original fan shroud since it was interfering with cold air tube routing. I'll see how the engine runs just with the Taurus fan and its little shroud.

[Rich84]

I would expect it to cool just fine. Those Taurus fans are serious. When they kick on it sounds like a helicopter..LOL

[Nima]

Big moment: I started the engine. It started right up and purr like a nice kitty!

[NDM]

Originally Posted by Nima

Big moment: I started the engine. It started right up and purr like a nice kitty!

Wow! That was fast. You started on my birthday and already have it running!

I need to find my new 6.0 or better for my 72. I need to get it done before winter.

[Nima]

Up and running.
There are few little things here and there but I would call it done. It starts, runs, and stops
The Hydromax hydraulic clutch was giving me a grief for the past couple of weeks but I am hoping it is over.