89 1500 parts ????

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

hey 68tt what is this power distribution block in the 89 . and why do i need to take the pedals out of the 89, and when you say im going to have to plum new fuel lines why is that wont the fuel lines work that i take out of the 89 ? They work in the 89. IM gonna go for it the whole tbi build ? Does any1 know if the steering column for the 89 will work in my 78? am i gonna have to do something with my drive shaft when i put the tranny from the 89 in my 78? what kind of tranny will that 89 have is it a 400th? thanks steve

There was a relay and breaker center on many cars with EFI and I figured the 89 might have one. It will give you someplace to connect all the power through other than the old truck fuse panel. A series of relays and a simple power strip can work too.

The frame widths are different on the two trucks so I figured you would have to plumb new fuel lines to and from the TBI unit. You never know maybe the 89 lines will fit right up.

You might be able to use your stock pedal assembly with a new dual output brake switch to control the converter lock up function. It does both the brake light and TCC functions in one switch. They do different things, one is open when the brake is applied and the other is closed when applied. I just don't know if the newer switch will fit the older pedal assembly and brake switch brackets.

The transmission in the 89 depends upon if it was a half ton or a 3/4 ton. It will be a 700R4 / 4L60 if it is a half ton or a T-400 if it is a 3/4 or 1-ton.

I don't know if the wheel bases and engine positions changed between the years so you will have to measure the driveshaft length to make sure.

[Lo78]

hey 68tt Why do i need the under dash harness and how do i go about hooking that up in the 78. What is that harness going to do? Do i neeed to pull the fuse box out of the 89? What is the tcc lock up function? Will the steering column work in my 78 ? How can i tell if it will work ? You said i could order a new tank where would be a good place to get a tank and sending unit , and pump ? Thanks steve

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

hey 68tt Why do i need the under dash harness and how do i go about hooking that up in the 78. What is that harness going to do? Do i neeed to pull the fuse box out of the 89?

There are a few circuits from the ECM that connect across under the dash to the ALDL connector and to the gauge cluster & brake switch that need to be integrated into the old truck. With the under dash harness out you can separate what is needed from what is not pretty easily.

You may be able to use the 89's fuse box with the blade type fuses and most of the 89's wire harness to control your 77. You will have to take a look at how it passes through the firewall and where relative to the 77 to see if it is realistic to try to do it. It is probably more work than it is worth to rewire the whole truck around the 89 fuse panel.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

You said i could order a new tank where would be a good place to get a tank and sending unit , and pump ? Thanks steve

Your local auto parts store can get you the new tank, sending unit and fuel pump. You are looking for the parts for an 87 with the 5.7 TBI motor. 20-gallon tank for long bed truck, 16-gallon for short bed.

There are a ton of online places you can get them too but the shipping may make them more expensive than your local auto parts store even with a higher price and sales tax. Check around and do a little comparison shopping.

I like to buy stuff locally just so I can easily return things if they don't work.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

What is the tcc lock up function? Will the steering column work in my 78 ? How can i tell if it will work ?

The TCC function is the computer locking the torque converter to completely eliminate slippage above a MPH threshold under certain driving conditions. It gives you a little better MPG and lowers the amount of heat build up in the trans on long drives. It is a good feature to have and worth the effort to make it work.

You will just have to try to bolt the 89 column into the 77 to see if it physically fits. It will have the wiper controls, cruise control and dimmer switch controls on the turn signal control stalk that you will have to rewire the 77 to work with. Again probably more work than it is worth unless you really need delay wipers or cruise control.

[cjracing15]

The relay and breaker center that 68tt is talking about on the 89 is mounted on the firewall pass side under a big black plastic cover. You do not need a new column you will need a the park neutral switch out of the 89 (it is down by the floor board and the wires that go to it). The reason is to tell the cpu when you are in park and neutral. Look at your 89 trans and see if it has a speedometer cable or wires where the cable is supposed to be. THis will let you know if you need to any thing to your dash. You can also use this and it will look stock on your truck and it is what I am running to lock my 700 trans.http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=60110

Yes I am VERY pleased with my swap and it gets 16 mpg or better some times so that is a bouns.

[Lo78]

if the tranny has wires instead of a cable them im going to need the instrument cluster and how will that work in my 78. guess it would be a lot of modifing to my dash to make it look right

[cjracing15]

Originally Posted by Lo78

if the tranny has wires instead of a cable them im going to need the instrument cluster and how will that work in my 78. guess it would be a lot of modifing to my dash to make it look right

No you can get a dash out of a blazer or suburban 90 or 91 and it will work just fine.(they have the eletric dash) But I am betting that 89 is not electric. If you need to you can leave the trans in the 78.

[Lo78]

the tranny i have now is a 3 speed saganaw. it was on the column but converted to the floor. i was thinking it might be a fun tranny to keep in for a while

[cjracing15]

Originally Posted by Lo78

the tranny i have now is a 3 speed saganaw. it was on the column but converted to the floor. i was thinking it might be a fun tranny to keep in for a while

If you keep the manual in there you do not have to wory about changing the nuteral sftey swich out. There will be no need. Plus it will make the swap easier on you because you will not have to worry about swaping out and making the auto trans to fit.

[Lo78]

will the brake booster and master cylinder from the 89 work in my truck

[cjracing15]

Probably if it bolts up you can try it. Someone else probaly can answer that better than me. Why would you want that booster and master cylinder on your 78?

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

...Also the engine i want to put in my 78 and was wondering if the 89 came with a stock 350. It has tbi so what do i need to do to go with a carb. Thanks Steve

I just dug out the stock 89 TBI 350 cam and it does have the fuel pump eccentric lobe on it. Down side is the block is not drilled for the pushrod or the mount bolt holes.

A carb conversion to the TBI engine would require an electric fuel pump.

[Lo78]

that is how it looks on my block. hey 68tt, you said i should take out the pedals and i took out the brake pedal should i take the gas pedal as well.? I was wondering about my rear in the 78 its a 12 bolt I dont know the gear ratio, but will it hold up to the conversion? Will my drive shaft bolt right up to the tranny end or what is going to happen with that? Thanks Steve

[Lo78]

i got some picts to post

[Lo78]

some more

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

that is how it looks on my block. hey 68tt, you said i should take out the pedals and i took out the brake pedal should i take the gas pedal as well.? I was wondering about my rear in the 78 its a 12 bolt I dont know the gear ratio, but will it hold up to the conversion? Will my drive shaft bolt right up to the tranny end or what is going to happen with that? Thanks Steve

The rear end will bolt in as long as they are both leaf spring trucks. It is a little wider but the stock square body rear end track width is narrower than the front so the extra width actually brings the tires out so they line up with the front a little better. The gearing is probably better and the transmission already has the proper speedo gears to match it so your speedometer should read closer to right.

You at least need the brake switch off the 89 pedal assembly and should take the throttle cable. I don't think the pedal mount bracket will fit but the pedals themselves might. You will have to test fit them to see.

Your driveshaft will probably be way to long to fit so it will have to be shortened. The transmission yoke is most likely the same spline count and should fit. The 89 driveshaft might be a closer fit and will have the right rear U-joint to match up with the rear end if you swap it out. I don't know how the wheel bases compare to know for sure if the 89 part will be long enough.

[Lo78]

ok What do i do now?

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

ok What do i do now?

Is your old engine out of the truck yet?

[Tex_50613]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

I just dug out the stock 89 TBI 350 cam and it does have the fuel pump eccentric lobe on it. Down side is the block is not drilled for the pushrod or the mount bolt holes.

A carb conversion to the TBI engine would require an electric fuel pump.

wow if the block had not been drilled it's not the original or it had been filled, I have pulled multipul SBC out of 89 to 93 chevys anr converted them to carb, also the cam is a aftermarket, probably a rv cam the ctock ones did not havr a lobe on them for the fule pump

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Tex_50613

wow if the block had not been drilled it's not the original or it had been filled, I have pulled multipul SBC out of 89 to 93 chevys anr converted them to carb, also the cam is a aftermarket, probably a rv cam the ctock ones did not havr a lobe on them for the fule pump

Original unmodified untouched standard bore block. No signs of welding or epoxy. All the roller cam lifter valley stands and the cam retainer plate holes were not drilled either. I have seen this quite often on the truck engines that had flat tappet cams in them. Maybe 30% I have seen are drilled for the roller cam stuff.

The cam could be aftermarket as this engine had rebuilt heads on it when I got it so it is possible they upgraded the cam too. There are no stamping or part number marks on it at all though to know for sure. It came out of an 89 Suburban.

[Tex_50613]

that should be a 94 or newer block then if it has rollers and was not machined for them which would explain the lack of the hole, 89-92 still used flat tappit lifters in them

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Tex_50613

that should be a 94 or newer block then if it has rollers and was not machined for them which would explain the lack of the hole, 89-92 still used flat tappit lifters in them

89 block with factory flat tappet cam. I drilled it for the roller cam lifter valley retaining bolts and the cam retainer plate bolts so I could install the Vortec truck roller cam setup I am going to run in it.

[Lo78]

i was goig to have body shop paint inside engine area. Wouldnt be better for them not to have motor in ?

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by Lo78

i was goig to have body shop paint inside engine area. Wouldnt be better for them not to have motor in ?

If they are doing the firewall it is better to have the engine out but it will make doing the rest of the truck a little slower unless it never leaves the work bay until it is ready for paint.

Are you going to give them a bare cab?

I hated working on vehicles that were not drivable. You always are juggling jobs in a body shop to keep everybody happy so vehicles move in & out of the work area daily.

I would see if they can do the firewall and let you put the drive train back into it then bring them a running truck back to do the rest of the paint job with.

Do you want to pay body shop rates just for them to push your truck in & out of the shop a half dozen times or more?