4.8 76 K-10 Keeping AC in stock LS location?

[roundhouse]

Ive read lots of threads here,
my 17 yr old son has a 76 K-10 currently has a worn out 350, 4'' lift, 3.73 axles and 35'' tires
we installed a NV-3500 from a 2007 Silverado, and a TBI from a 1990

in a few weeks, months we are looking at replacing the engine and getting the AC working, before he heads off to college with it next fall.


has anyone come up with a reasonably priced way to keep the LS A/C compressor in the stock location on the bottom?

reason Im asking is that it appears that relocating the AC comp will cost more than the entire LS engine , harness and computer.

it seems that around me, the 4.8/5.3 with harness and ECM goes for around $650-700, i really hate to spend $500 just to relocate the AC comp


also have some questions about what flywheel and clutch to use.
since we are already running a 5 speed from a LS pickup, I assume all we need is a LS flywheel and clutch, but no one seems to know if the LS engines with a slushbox had a different crankshaft than the ones with a 5 speed.

do we have to find a LS that came from a manual trans?

[rs74]

I can't really answer your question with experience here but I will mention these options.

1. Some have used a TBI style AC mount on the LS which would move the compressor up high on the passenger side instead of down low. There is some trimming of the AC bracket in order to make this work.

2. Tejas Steelworks makes engine adapters that move the engine forward about 3 inches so you can retain the stock LS location of the compressor. Now these were made for a C10 so I am not sure how that will work for your K10. Also they advise on running the Hooker cast manifolds with these mounts and again based on a C10.

3. I have read that some are notching the front passenger frame section in order for it to fit.

[TopFuel1966]

I did it on my '66 C-10. It's a tight fit but works fine. You need a 90 degree block connector. The vendor where I got mine doesn't show it in their catalog any longer but Old Air Products shows one that looks very similar. Their part# is 91-0005P.

[MalibuSSwagon]

crankshaft is the same. I just installed a NFW1050 4.8/6.0 flywheel on a 5.3L.

Use clutch for a 4.8L/NV3500.

You could try the KDS mounts, about $99 on ebay and offer more clearance than adapter plates I'm told.

http://kds-performance.com/sbc/

[mattcrp1]

I ran into this issue when I dropped my 4.8l in my 2wd 76. The issue I had was the high side pressure switch was hitting the frame/mount riser. I started to do some research into the newer style compressor that does not use switch on the back of the compressor but never came up with anything conclusive.

[mattcrp1]

This is how mine looked. I am using Dirty Dingo slider mounts. I believe when I took of the compressor off I moved the engine back further than the pic showed.

[mattcrp1]

Originally Posted by TopFuel1966

I did it on my '66 C-10. It's a tight fit but works fine. You need a 90 degree block connector. The vendor where I got mine doesn't show it in their catalog any longer but Old Air Products shows one that looks very similar. Their part# is 91-0005P.

Thanks for the heads up on the adapter.

[Andy4639]

Well I want my truck work friendly. If it ever needs it on the side of the road I want easy reachable components. I mounted mine up on the passenger side with LS1 bracket. Works great no problems at all. But to each their own, that's what makes the world go round.