Family wheeler - 83 K5

[RSWORDS]

So after months of it sitting again. I decided I had to do something as I love this truck.

So I picked up a 100k 5.3 from a buddy, got a Trick Norris cam, some DIY4x mounts ordered a terminator X and started working.

One slightly used small block for sale.

If I had to guess I'd say less then 2k miles on full rebuild. I have the broken piece so it will need welded on, adaptor for manual starter, or run with manual tranny with starter mount provisions.

MSD Street fire HEI and wires, Headman headers, Holley Brawler 750 4150 double pumper, edlebrock performer intake, vortec heads with upgraded springs, comp cams XE262 cam and lifters.

 

[RSWORDS]

Started tearing the 5.3 down. Put the kiddo to work. She "picked up and organized the bolts" for me.... let's see how many I can find when its time to reassemble. Lol

 

[centexk5]

Love it. System won’t let me scroll far enough back to when my daughter helped me tear down this engine but here she is helping me bolt it in.

 

[imiceman44]

Love it. System won’t let me scroll far enough back to when my daughter helped me tear down this engine but here she is helping me bolt it in.

View attachment 433122

My 6 year old daughter helped me on my big rig, her smaller hands helped reach some hard to get bolts and the extra hands helped me get the monster radiator out and the new one in

 

[centexk5]

My girl was 6 in that picture. About 3-4 when she helped me tear down the engine.

 

[RSWORDS]

My girl was 6 in that picture. About 3-4 when she helped me tear down the engine.

She definitely enjoys helping

 

[RSWORDS]

Fun parts

 

[RSWORDS]

So the 5.3 was junk. At some point someone had water In it instead of coolant. It froze and split the bridge between the passages. Also found a small hairline crack on the outside of the block. We are gonna probably slap the heads back on it and make it a DGAF motor. Maybe I'll pit it in the crawler one day. But for the beating its gonna take in the blazer I won't risk it.

 

[RSWORDS]

So the next logical upgrade was a 6 liter.... :lmao:

$500 later and I have a nice LQ4 with gen 4 rods. This motor is way clean inside. So I put the cam in and gave her the old Carolina rebuild with a spray can.

 

[RSWORDS]

Got the 6 liter short block in its home. Im using Using DIY4x mounts. They seem to work fine, cant really compare them to anything else because this is the first swap i"ve done but im happy. Went in with only a little fuss. I do wish the holes on the block plate where slotted a little bit though

I knew the factory pan wouldn't clear the factory crossmember without cutting, and that didn't matter because I have an ORD small block crossmember to clear my steering anyway. And I know damn well that wouldn't clear the factory pan as it sits way higher and further back.

Using a swap pan from summit solved all my issues. Plus I don't have that huge rear sump of the factory pan hanging down around the front axle and for stuff to jump up and hit. I'd say I have 3/8 of an inch at the closest spot.

Here is the link to the pan, uses factory style oil filters and clears everything great.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3612B-K

 

[RSWORDS]

Plucking along. I'll do the fuel system tomorrow, then maybe start her up. Then cleaning.... lots of cleaning. I was gonna do it before placing the engine but it's been below freezing and I just didn't feel like it.

 

[RSWORDS]

Kiddo helping out while I'm just plucking along with wiring.

 

[RSWORDS]

Getting the LQ4 dialed in and tuned up.

 

[RSWORDS]

Its amazing how a new grill, trim and lights can clean up a truck.

Also took her for the 1st ride. Those motor is a beast. From a roll she has no problem lighting up the 37s and keeping them spinning all through 1st and 2nd. It's gonna be fun.

 

[RSWORDS]

So been kinda driving it. Tweaking on the tune.... kinda got bored with a 6 liter with cam and headers and an thinking of taking it to the sand drags this Friday sooooo......

 

[RSWORDS]

Truck did good, didnt get to spray it but made 10 runs last night with a best of 5.78.

 

[RSWORDS]

Trucks listed up for trade but still working on making it how i want it.

VA - Looking to trade my 83 K5

Thinking about trading my 83 K5. Would like to keep the engine. -Th350 with RMVB with 1st gear breaking -Dana 60 front 4.56 and detroit. ORD crossover. Barnes offroad diff cover. About 1k miles on complete rebuild. -14 Bolt rear, shaved, 4.56s and Detroit. Disc brake conversion. Barnes offroad...

ck5.com

Tossed my Corbeau JP seat in the drivers spot. The foam has been shot and the back half busted so it was always reclined. Took about an hour and can bolt the factory seat back up at any point.

Good thing about the JP seats is they are designed to go in a CJ/YJ so instead of tabs the have multiple threaded holes in the bottom.



Then simply took some aluminum and made some plates to adapt the seats onto the factory slider and mounts. Works out great. Plan to do the passenger side the same way.

 

[RSWORDS]

Put a Tinker Electronics 7" dash in. Great value l. $570 to my door and I Clyde's a GPS antenna for speed.

Quick little pull from 15-70

 

[RSWORDS]

Went to the sand drags again last night. Sprayed my way to a 5.45. Need tire BAD as she was slipping and sideways most the way down.