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'72 K5 - AJ's Gray Matter Build

Overview Gallery Discussion
UPDATE 8/14/16 - Transplant surgery

So, this was gonna go down today...
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....and then it started raining. So, I had to do some rearranging in the garage.
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Almost there....
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Done (and garage back to normal).
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All in all, it went in smoothly. Valve covers still clear the firewall without issue. With the 4L80, the transmission crossmember will need to move back about 1.5" from the 700r4 setup.
 
Been busy doing a bunch of little things. I guess I coulda posted this sooner, but saved it all up.

Got the transmission crossmember moved
IMG_2807_zpslwtwme6z.jpg


Blew apart the 241 to swap out the input shaft. Mind you, I'd just resealed this thing.
IMG_2828_zpspfuusaho.jpg


32 spline
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and got it hung
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Ran some Hotrod Sleeve to the section of the fuel lines that run close to the headers. Supposed to shield 60% or so of the radiant heat
IMG_2808_zpsk3lnlglm.jpg


Added a 140 amp CS130 alternator and got all the engine accessories mounted
IMG_2806_zpsaigtvmam.jpg


Wrangled up a few friends and put the front clip back on. Then put in some functional bling.
IMG_2850_zpsq1hat6kw.jpg


Realigning the hood and front clip are next. Also need to measure for both driveshafts since the drivetrain is longer. Was hoping the front would be ok, but it's too short. And the rear is too long.
 
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AJs72K5 said:
Been busy doing a bunch of little things. I guess I coulda posted this sooner, but saved it all up.

Got the transmission crossmember moved
IMG_2807_zpslwtwme6z.jpg


Blew apart the 241 to swap out the input shaft. Mind you, I'd just resealed this thing.
IMG_2828_zpspfuusaho.jpg


32 spline
IMG_2846_zpser2tcd0n.jpg


and got it hung
IMG_2848_zps8wd7iiuq.jpg


Added some Hotrod Sleeve to the section of the fuel lines that runs close to the headers. Supposed to shield 60% or so of the radiant heat
IMG_2808_zpsk3lnlglm.jpg


Added a 140 amp CS130 alternator and got all the engine accessories mounted
IMG_2806_zpsaigtvmam.jpg


Wrangled up a few friends and put the front clip back on. Then added some functional bling.
IMG_2850_zpsq1hat6kw.jpg


Realigning the hood and front clip are next. Also need to measure for both driveshafts since the drivetrain is longer. Was hoping the front would be ok, but it's too short. And the rear is too long.
Click to expand...

Vendor for the hood hinges?
 
Wow dang! Looking good man. What's this hot rod sleeve you used? Is it just a sleeve for fuel line?
 
sreidmx said:
Wow dang! Looking good man. What's this hot rod sleeve you used? Is it just a sleeve for fuel line?
Click to expand...

Hot Rod Sleeve by Heatshield Products: https://www.heatshieldproducts.com/hot-rod-sleeving
It's supposed to stretch over fittings, but wouldn't stretch enough to get over the tube nuts. That said, I was able to run the tube nuts over them. I found it by googling "heat shield fuel line". Comes in a bunch of diameters. It's kinda like the spark plug sleeves people use.

folkenheath said:
Looking real good AJ. When is the fire up?
Click to expand...

Hard to say Heath. Had to buy a new AC unit for the house last week ($$$$). Big items left are: trans controller, shifter, and driveshaft corrections. It'll depend on budget. While the hinges were definitely a 'nice to have', they've been sitting on the shelf for about 3 months.
 
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Looking sweet, AJ. All the components and work looks top notch. :waytogo:

I was getting a little worried that you were going to start yours up here soon, leaving Greg and I in the dust. In doing so, breaking up the trio that we've had for so long. It sure was nice of Sean to discard of his engine, so even if you do get yours out of the garage soon. The faithful trio will still live strong. Thanks Sean. :D
 
NorCal69 said:
Looking sweet, AJ. All the components and work looks top notch. :waytogo:

I was getting a little worried that you were going to start yours up here soon, leaving Greg and I in the dust. In doing so, breaking up the trio that we've had for so long. It sure was nice of Sean to discard of his engine, so even if you do get yours out of the garage soon. The faithful trio will still live strong. Thanks Sean. :D
Click to expand...

Mine'll still be stuck in the garage for a few months. But, what happens if Sean starts making poor choices?
 
I may have missed it, did you blow apart your 2nd 700R4? Also, what shifter are you going with for the 4L80? :burnout:
 
CK5 said:
I may have missed it, did you blow apart your 2nd 700R4? Also, what shifter are you going with for the 4L80? :burnout:
Click to expand...

So far I've only killed a TH350 (was in the truck when I bought it) and one 700R4...I'm doing better than @Babaganoosh at this point. The second 700R4 was the one Greg Ducato built and was never bolted up to the engine before selling. Once I spec'd out the new engine, I knew the 700R4 was doomed and went 4L80.

I'm sticking with the Lokar shifter. Turns out Lokar sells kits to convert shifters from one tranny to another (parts to swap out). I haven't opened the box, but I assume it's mostly the tranny mount brackets. For the 700r4 to 4L80, it was only $100 in parts. Way better than $280 for a new one.
 
UPDATE 11/6/16 - Getting shifty - Before I get to the shifter fun, spent some time over the past few weeks working on the hood alignment after putting in the new hinges. Overall, came out really straight with nice lines. The passenger side is about 1/16" off at the firewall. It's about as good as it'll get. If I try to pull it out more, the fender to door alignment will be off.

IMG_2883_zpsowznjwwm.jpg

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Onto the dual shifters... Got the parts in from Lokar and installed the 4L80 shifter. Pretty straightforward. However, to get the shifter to align with the hole I previously cut in the transmission hump, I had to run it in the frontmost position.
IMG_2881_zpsn0noblkk.jpg


Now, since the shifter is all the way forward, the geometry for the transmission shift arm is all jacked up. Lokar makes a linkage kit to correct it and essentially creates a cantilever at the tailhousing.

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The tranny mount brackets come are set up to accommodate Lokar's handbrake mount
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I repurposed it to mount the transfer case shifter. Spent some time with the grinder and came up with this bracket
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Shifter mounted
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Here's the brackets, linkage rod, and converted 205 shifter that make it happen. Made a new transfer case arm in the process. Getting the slot cut right was a pain in the a$$.
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Cant decide if I want to chrome or black powder coat the shifter...
 
Nice! I really like the transfer case shifter. way cleaner than what I have. I may need to copy that some day.
 
Nice work! You clocked your 241 up correct? How tight is your front driveshaft to the side of your tranny now?
 
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