67 Longbed GMC Patina 5.3 T56 Driver

[rcazwillis]

Leave the firewall as is. Clean it up and it will look awesome.

[keetonb25]

Thanks guys. Firewall will stay, tires are 31x10.5x15 they were just on the donor chassis. Did a little work this weekend, pulled motor back out, painted the frame and suspension, got my flywheel and clutch mounted up, mated the Trans, gutted the interior, and cut the hole for the high hump. I also finally bolted down the intake and got the throttle body on. Time to figure out the shifter and I might put the motor and Trans in so I can build a crossmember. Nothing really worth a photo but I'll get some up soon.

[Mrturner1]

Can't wait to see the progress!

[keetonb25]

Not really an update but I've been doing some research and brainstorming about the shifter. After seeing how most move it to the inspection port I don't really want to go that route. I just don't really like the position, the cost, or the idea of tearing apart the trans and cutting the shaft... so since I have the gto t56 with the offset shifter I'm going to flip the whole assembly around. I'll have to build a whole new base plate and raise it up about 5/8 which means extending the arm or building a new one. I do cad, program, and opperate CNC machines everyday so that will come in handy! Here's what I mean. Also sorry for the kinked neck I can't get the photos to rotate right.

[LooseyLucy71]

Looks awesome! I did a 5.3 swap last summer and love it. looking to do the T56 this winter, so i'll be following along. Keep up the great progress!

[keetonb25]

Finally getting back on to the truck. Had to throw the front clip back on for a Christmas party (the lady friend thinks my truck is a decoration ha) got the motor and trans back in, and built a transmission crossmember. I also decided to go the carburetor route for the simplicity. Holley dual plane manifold, Holley 670 street avenger, and MSD ignition box is on the way! Just need coils and a fuel system now.

[keetonb25]

More work done tonight. Got the crossmember in, and bolted everything up. Took the front clip off again, and started mocking up accessories. Definitely want to do the low alternator mount.

[keetonb25]

Messed around a little tonight while I'm waiting for more parts to show up. Found a spot for the factory gto clutch master and mocked it up. Cut the floor a little more to mount the factory gto shifter and I actually really like the position being offset back. I think what I'll do is cut the high hump trans cover in the middle and extend it so I'll have a flat spot to mount the shift boot.

[keetonb25]

Making some good progress. Snow held my parts back from being delivered so I got the tunnel extended and got the factory 5.3 manifolds, coils, and plug wires installed. Had my bald friend do the tig work haha.

[keetonb25]

Parts came! Loving the look of this thing. Will probably at least get the motor to pop this week.

[keetonb25]

Fired the motor for a bit last week. Runs good! Got a blazer fuel tank kit from brothers trucks, aluminum radiator is on the way and I got some seats. Should see some good progress in the next couple weeks.

[keetonb25]

Brothers trucks fuel tank mounted. Kinda the first thing I'm not very impressed with no instructions (which you shouldn't really need...) I couldn't get the mounting straps to sit right, might just be me being dumb. Anyways, I just bolted it in and it should work.

[keetonb25]

I have a clutch! I made it stupid simple and it turned out great. It's probably the best clutch I've felt. I used all the factory 04 gto hydraulics including the factory lines with very minimal tweaking.

[PatrickGMC70]

Great build so far and awesome progress.

I used to own an 04 GTO until I had to try to put a car seat in the back.

One thing about the trans in those cars is the bleeder on the trans slave cylinder is difficult to use without making a mess everywhere. A popular mod is to switch out the fittings on the slave with ones from an earlier F-body and install a remote bleeder hose. It lets you bleed the clutch lines a lot easier.

Another popular mod was installing the LS7 clutch and flywheel.

If I can find a thread with a better explanation, I'll post it here.

Good luck with everything!

Patrick

[GAc10boy]

Killer progress!

[keetonb25]

Thanks guys! I actually got my system to bleed fairly easy. It definitely made a little bit of a mess though.

[trkfrk]

You're going to love driving that 6 speed! Looks good.

[kehstr]

looks good!! I am currently working on a 5.3 swap in my truck, and hope to do some sort of 6-speed swap soon, in to get ideas for mine!

[DKO]

Awesome truck! Keep up the good work.

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

lookin' good! Good progress so far at this rate you'll be ready for summer. I can't wait for warmer weather, the garage is cold.

[keetonb25]

Thanks guys! Been sick the last couple days so plenty of time to research and buy parts. Ordered a shifter base from core shifters, a digital gauge cluster from intellitronix, a new gauge bezel from lmc, and some long tube headers from speed engineering. Getting pretty anxious to try the truck out.

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

Can't wait to see how the Intellitronix works out. I'm in the market for one myself.

[keetonb25]

Got all my parts in. Got the headers on, and they fit and look awesome.

[Bucky10pt]

Looks sweet. What headers did you use. I'm working on 72 lb 5.3 ls swap now with my son. Pretty cool project for his first vehicle.

[keetonb25]

Originally Posted by Bucky10pt

Looks sweet. What headers did you use. I'm working on 72 lb 5.3 ls swap now with my son. Pretty cool project for his first vehicle.

Awesome, they are speed engineering 67-72 c10 ls swap long tubes. Cheap ebay ones but the fit and quality is really good.