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

[ProTouring442]

Doing a little more research it appears that with the 2000 motor there was a fuel regulator near the fuel rails. I'm assuming I can still use the filter/regulator that I bought, shouldn't be an issue?

Correct, you can still use what you bought, just plug off the return line like I posted above and you're golden.

[msh227]

FYI for anyone.... it has been a few weeks since I was on Novak's website but it looks like they reorganized it and possibly added services. They do PCM and harness work (little expensive) but also a ton of new updated information. Worth taking a look for excellent knowledge information.

[msh227]

Worked on truck today. Some days it feels like you dont get done what you wanted to get done. Today I had hopes of getting motor in truck but things just didnt work out.

Even though motor didnt go in truck I got a lot done:

Valley gasket replaced
Knock sensors replaced
Intake manifold gaskets replaced
New spark plugs
New plug wires
New tensioner
New idler pulley
Installed Novak motor mounts
Painted engine bay
Painted bottom side of hood

Think that is about all....

Next weekend motor, transmission and maybe a few other things scheduled to go in truck.

Here are a few shots of the valley gasket and knock sensor install:

[ProTouring442]

Is that blue RTV I see? If I recall correctly, blue RTV is not sensor safe.... better read the package to be sure.


Lookin' good!

[msh227]

BEEP really? The rtv doesn't touch the sensor, it sits on the sensors cap. If needed it is easy to change out before motor goes in.

[ProTouring442]

BEEP really? The rtv doesn't touch the sensor, it sits on the sensors cap. If needed it is easy to change out before motor goes in.

It's the fumes the stuff puts off... I think it kills O2 sensors.

[ProTouring442]

BEEP really? The rtv doesn't touch the sensor, it sits on the sensors cap. If needed it is easy to change out before motor goes in.

It's the fumes the stuff puts off... I think it kills O2 sensors. Yeah, I know, it's not in the exhaust system, but the stuff eventually makes it to the combustion chamber, then off to the O2.

[msh227]

I'll have to check which type I bought. I know they have sensor safe blue rtv but I'm not sure if that is the kind I bought.

[j20owner]

Where that silicone is placed, it would have to go through the intake system to get to the O2 sensors. I think you'd be ok. All he did was seal the rubber plugs over the sensors to keep water out. Common problem with the early truck engines. Water gets into the cavities(typically just the rear), rusts the sensor and damages the wires.

[msh227]

The harness re-wire has begun. I'm not planning on fully thinning the harness, just planning on adding obd2 port, check engine light, and make external connections that are needed. Figure I'll plug everything back in and the stuff like emissions is already wiped from my PCM thanks to Brendan at LT1swap.com so I'm not going to waste money or more time than needed to thin it.

Tonight I set up in the home office and started to label everything with masking tape.





More pictures to come as progress is made.

[Green&Loud]

I love this truck! Going back to those pictures at the beginning, what kind of lift is that?

[msh227]

6" springs from BJs, 3" body lift, off road shackles up front from BJs that add an additional 1" of lift, 2" blocks in rear to level truck. Tires are 37x15 Toyo Open Country.

[msh227]

Picked up transmission today from trans shop. More pictures to follow after this weekend. Engine, trans, and transfer case going in truck this coming Sunday. Also a nice coat of black paint to cover the god awful red and it will be good to go.

[msh227]

Progress has drastically slowed. Spent the weekend at the vet with my Golden Retriever mix, he developed bloat and his stomach flipped requiring emergency surgery and time to heal. It will probably be a few weeks before I can get back to the truck....

[Green&Loud]

Sorry to hear about your dog. Hope everything turns out ok! And dont worry, the truck will still be there when he heals

[msh227]

With my dog healthy again this slow boat to china is finally moving again, with a minor set back.

Today two of us spent the morning wrestling the 5.3L into the truck. Good news is engine is in truck. Bad news engine is only fastened on passenger mount. Engine won't sit properly on driver side mount. Got pissed and had to walk away from it, will address issue next time. Hope I can "twist" it into position.

[msh227]

We have progress.... Motor is in and mounted but not 100% the way Novak mounts are designed to be installed. Tried and tried and the lower bushing on driver side would not properly seat itself and allow for nut to be started. We ended up cutting a 1/4" washer on the plasma table and tightening driver side down. There was no issue with passenger side. Also got the flexplate installed.

I had my radiator ports swapped and pressure tested for $100 by a local radiator shop (they are few and far between). Got that installed also.

More work to come in the next couple weekends.

Some pictures:

[msh227]

I tried to start the wire harness a bit ago but never really got started..... So tonight I finally started, deciding to thin the harness unlike my previous post where I was not going thin, and got about halfway done. The pictures and info on LT1swap.com are fantastic. He also has step by step pictures on his facebook that is viewable to everyone. I don't have facebook and I could view them. He also programmed my PCM for $75!

[nester]

I miss having a plasma table. I was just thinking that it would be great to have to cut those flanges for the 5.3 exhaust manifolds. Looking good though. Keep it up.

[msh227]

It is very nice to have the right tools available for any job. In my case a good friend that has the right tools for the job .