CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Geronimo: 1959 Chevy Apache
- Thread starter muddermilitia
- Start date
1959 Chevy Apache long bed Fleetside with some modern stuff inside. Built for long trips
Sorry if this was discussed already but are you going to notch the rear or will that not be required?
I haven't looked too far into this topic just yet. At this time, I think I will buy a new harness. The ECM will sent out to be flashed after that, I don't know what needs to be done. I think whoever I have flash it should be able to set it up for my trans??? I will probably have to decide what rear end gear it will get at that time
I think it might need a little bit of a notch. But nothing big like a bridge notch or anything. It will probably ok until as long as the bed is empty? Not sure yet. I won't touch the frame until I have more weight on the suspension.
Worked on the truck for quite awhile after work yesterday. Spent a whole bunch of time making adjustments to the bed. It was sitting too low. Got that sorted out and now the body line on the bed matches the cab.
It was also too far away from the back of the cab. The rearmost cross sill butts up against the end of the frame. I cut 1 inch off the back of the frame rails so I could move the bed forward. I now have about a 1-1/4" gap between the bed and cab.
Next project was moving the rear axle and suspension forward to match up the Apache wheelbase. I decided on 7-3/4" movement. Unbolted all the spring hangers, rolled it forward and drilled all new holes. The truck is back on the ground.
Today, I took my 52 Dodge out of the garage and turned around the Apache.
Now I can start working on the engine and trans install. I got a high clearance trans crossmember and motor mount brackets from Tejas Steel works to help out with that.
It was also too far away from the back of the cab. The rearmost cross sill butts up against the end of the frame. I cut 1 inch off the back of the frame rails so I could move the bed forward. I now have about a 1-1/4" gap between the bed and cab.
Next project was moving the rear axle and suspension forward to match up the Apache wheelbase. I decided on 7-3/4" movement. Unbolted all the spring hangers, rolled it forward and drilled all new holes. The truck is back on the ground.
Today, I took my 52 Dodge out of the garage and turned around the Apache.
Now I can start working on the engine and trans install. I got a high clearance trans crossmember and motor mount brackets from Tejas Steel works to help out with that.
The transmission was drained and degreased. Painted it and installed a new filter and pan gasket.
Now I'm starting to do the same to the engine. Putting together a list as well for some of the parts I need to buy next. Right now I think I will use valve cover adapters so that I can use vintage SBC valve covers. I would like to also relocate the ignition coils so they are off the engine to help "clean" it up some. The ugly factory intake will have to stay for now. But I have some other ideas to help make the engine look a little more vintage
Now I'm starting to do the same to the engine. Putting together a list as well for some of the parts I need to buy next. Right now I think I will use valve cover adapters so that I can use vintage SBC valve covers. I would like to also relocate the ignition coils so they are off the engine to help "clean" it up some. The ugly factory intake will have to stay for now. But I have some other ideas to help make the engine look a little more vintage
I like your choice to paint the transmission a color that basically looks like the aluminum it's made with.
Remember that the valve cover adapters add quite a bit of height and width to the LS. Might not be a problem in your case, but some guys have had to do funky things near the brake booster on other applications.
Go carb with Holley ECM. Can't get more vintage looking than that. It'll make the same power...and you're not wheeling this right?
The other way would be carb intake with self tuning efi throttle body.
Stole this off a fitech group I’m on.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
I don't understand this. Spend money to convert to LS. Then spend a bunch more to make it look old.
Just keep your damn small block and put cam and heads on it and make the same damn power and look as cool, as it should be. With normal sbc power.
I don't understand why anyone wants those valve covers that leak so easily?
79rustyk10
3/4 ton status
CUCV2
5/4 ton fun
What are your thoughts on the E-Z Chasis Swap?
LS engine, the best, most hated engine ever.
This car is owned by a local guy. It's on a caprice chassis I believe and has a 5.3 LS. A used motor that he has put over 100k miles on since the swap and all he's ever done to it is oil changes. Last month he drove the car from Chicago to San Diego, back to Vegas, up to Pikes peak Utah, and then back in 1 week. Shortly after that, he went to Georgia and back. Not one engine issue. That is what I want for my truck.
My hood will stay closed at the car shows anyways, so really it doesn't matter what it looks like under there. But for me personally, I want it to resemble a vintage engine but I also want it to get good gas mileage and be reliable with parts that are easily found at a parts store wherever I am at. I want to take this truck to 49 states.
The factory intake will stay for now. Later on I will swap it out for something that looks better but it sure as hell won't get a carb. Yesterday I ordered the valve cover adapters and a different alternator/power steering pump mount that doesn't look big and bulky like the factory mount. Still keeps the alt and pwr steering pump in the factory location. I decided to go that route because I have read they will clear everything in the factory location. I believe the A/C compressor might require a slight mod to the frame rail but not a big deal.
Also ordered paint for the engine. I need to take the timing cover off so that, the valley cover, and the oil pan can go out for powdercoat.
These are the valve covers I might run on it. They have the vintage look, they aren't "tinfoil" so they should seal better, and they just look plain cool. A friend of mine has these on his 56 Bel Air and I think it looks killer.
But those will wait till after July. Big swap meet the 2nd week of July so I might get lucky and find something cool there
My hood will stay closed at the car shows anyways, so really it doesn't matter what it looks like under there. But for me personally, I want it to resemble a vintage engine but I also want it to get good gas mileage and be reliable with parts that are easily found at a parts store wherever I am at. I want to take this truck to 49 states.
The factory intake will stay for now. Later on I will swap it out for something that looks better but it sure as hell won't get a carb. Yesterday I ordered the valve cover adapters and a different alternator/power steering pump mount that doesn't look big and bulky like the factory mount. Still keeps the alt and pwr steering pump in the factory location. I decided to go that route because I have read they will clear everything in the factory location. I believe the A/C compressor might require a slight mod to the frame rail but not a big deal.
Also ordered paint for the engine. I need to take the timing cover off so that, the valley cover, and the oil pan can go out for powdercoat.
These are the valve covers I might run on it. They have the vintage look, they aren't "tinfoil" so they should seal better, and they just look plain cool. A friend of mine has these on his 56 Bel Air and I think it looks killer.
But those will wait till after July. Big swap meet the 2nd week of July so I might get lucky and find something cool there
So far I like it, but I still have a ways to go. Haven't done anything with the front sheetmetal yet or bumpers.
The instructions weren't the greatest, I think they need to be updated.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
Where's the swap meet?
Iola Wisconsin, the weekend after the 4th I believe. Don't miss it, its the biggest one in the midwest
beags86
Eastbound and Down
I've been to iola before. It's been a few years. Might have to think about it again.
