1978 J10 Project moved from IFSJA...5.3L swap with QT!!!

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:19 pm

Worked on truck today. Plan was to get transmission, transfer case, and trans cross member in truck at a minimum. Well like always ran into a minor issue, it appears the bolt pattern on the 700 matches the 5.3L but there was no hole at the 2 oclock position on the 5.3L. So i drilled and tapped the block, to make sure it all lined up properly we installed the transmission to mark the hole then removed trans, drilled and tapped block then re-install transmission.

Next time will be QT and cross member install.

You can see the hole is missing:

Drilled and tapped:

Prepped to cut tail shaft:

QT adapter installed:

Jerry Blair · Post by **Jerry Blair** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 6:23 pm

msh227 wrote:
You can see the hole is missing:

Drilled and tapped:

I could be wrong but it is my understanding the top right bellhousing bolt hole is not drilled & tapped on the newer engines on purpose. I have read you DO NOT add this hole or you will drill into a water jacket.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 6:27 pm

We discussed with a friend that did the same thing with his motor and had no issues. Once it was drilled and tapped by looking inside the drilled hole it didnt appear that we tapped into any water jacket. Guess I'll find out when I fill with antifreeze. If I did hit a water jacket I'll put some sealant on the bolt and that should hold no problem. But I think I'm clear and free no issues. I def did not feel comfortable with only 5 of the 6 bolts in that transmission.

Jerry Blair · Post by **Jerry Blair** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 6:33 pm

Experience certainly trumps hearsay! I am using the 4l60e so I never even considered drilling.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 6:37 pm

It was pretty wild to climb under and see that hole not there after all the reading about chevy bolt patterns never changing, and to boot I just painted the transmission so it was all nice and wet with paint as we lifted it into place to mark the hole. The newer trans sure have an odd bolt pattern if you ask me. Seems like you would want a symmetrical pattern but what do I know?

j20owner · Post by **j20owner** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:08 pm

FWIW, I'm going to run 5 bolts and ROCK THAT STUFF! I wouldn't have drilled it. Trans isn't going to go anywhere.

nester · Post by **nester** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:36 pm

Yep, I'm with j20owner..

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:14 pm

I need some help with a fuel fitting issue. Been searching for awhile on various sites and can't seem to find what I need.

My plan is to use the sending unit that I already have in the tank, it is a 1978-1984 ford sending unit that I modified by adding the return vapor line. Here is what it looks like without the return vapor line:

The one line is 5/16" and the other is 1/4"..... what fitting can I use to attach braided fuel line with -6AN fittings. I saw a compression fitting online but only saw them in 3/8".

Also just want to make sure I'm buying the right thing for the fuel rails on the motor. Planning on getting this fitting in both 5/16" and 3/8" and putting a -6AN cap that supposedly summit sells to cap off the return line since I'm regulating the pressure back near the pump with the corvette pump/regulator setup that I bought from speedwaymotors.com

nester · Post by **nester** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:36 pm

That looks right, based on what Jeff used on his. He had links in his thread.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:40 pm

sweet I'll take a look at his build thread.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:35 pm

Just ordered my fuel line and fittings, that stuff is not cheap! Just hope I have the right parts and pieces, guess I'll find out soon enough.

nester · Post by **nester** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:25 pm

Where'd you get your lines?

I'm planning to try my local Parker distributor. I used them for race car stuff but it's been years.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:19 pm

Used summit for lines and fittings. Used speedwaymotors.com for corvette pump/filter/regulator.

nester · Post by **nester** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:06 pm

I ordered my filter from the same place. should be here tomm.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 8:49 pm

Did some more harness work tonight. Keeps getting thinner and thinner especially without using an electronically controlled transmission.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:56 pm

Crossmember went right back into its same place. Transfer case is installed also. More work tomorrow.

Does anyone know which AN fitting works for an older style sending unit that has the flare at the very end of the tube?

nester · Post by **nester** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 2:29 pm

msh227 wrote:Crossmember went right back into its same place. Transfer case is installed also. More work tomorrow.

Does anyone know which AN fitting works for an older style sending unit that has the flare at the very end of the tube?

I've not seen an adapter to AN for that style.. I would say if you must have AN, you'd either weld on a fitting to the sending unit or a rubber hose with AN fitting at one end and push the other end over your sender outlet.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 4:23 pm

I found these while looking. Wonder if they will work? Doesn't seem like they come in 1/4". I have 1/4" and 5/16" lines on sending unit.

nester · Post by **nester** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 4:29 pm

might work, but i'm think that's for the newer style.

msh227 · Post by **msh227** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 4:34 pm

Just wrapped up working on the truck. Had a very successful weekend. Here are the pictures to tell the story:

Just a couple shots on the lift

QT, going to install the low unit before I fill with fluid. Put the cap on for the time being

Modified the shift linkage. I used the bracket from a TH400 which worked very well

I also spent time mounting the fuel pump and measuring for power steering fittings, trans coolant lines, and got rear driveshaft installed.

Think that is all for now.

Full Size Jeep Network