LUVTruck.com

Hello from Oregon,

My son and I are ready to get back to the LUV project. Thanks for all the information that all of you have posted. Incredibly valueable. I'm sure we will have lots of questions as we proceed. Installing a 350 w/350 auto transmission.

Will post pictures later.

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)

Welcome! Sounds like you've been lurking, and checking out the site. There are at least two other '75 V8's in the works here, that I know of. One is mine (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15119), and the other belongs to 75 V8LUV. He's got several threads up at the moment on his engine build.(viewforum.php?f=10)

Love to hear an outline of what you have planned, and photos of course...

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"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison

Welcome to the site. You will have to keep us posted on the build and post some pics.

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Life is a DRAG RACE!!!
I like my Luv WILD!!!

Sometimes too much to drink isn't enough!!
Kinky is using a feather. Perverted is using the whole chicken.
http://www.wildluvracing.com

welcome

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I will no longer do that thing with my tongue

Here's a few of pictures of the Luv.

My wife & I purchased the Luv in 1991. It was a daily driver for about 10 years until it overheated for the last time and cracked the head or block?? Very hardy little truck. Replaced it with a 1986 GMC 4x4. Now it's time to bring the Luv back to life.

Ready to install 350/350 auto in Luv. Any suggestions? Have Hooker tranny & motor mounts. If the engine & tranny are connected and installed together, is there enough clearance to get them in the Luv. Is it better to install the tranny first then the engine. How much of the front needs to be cut away? Any advise will help.

Thanks

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)

There are a couple of links on the main page of this site that will be helpful. http://www.luvtruck.com/Information.htm

Beer budget V8 Swap http://www.luvtruck.com/pdf/engswap.pdf
Hooker Kit Instructions http://www.luvtruck.com/pdf/12606.pdf

You can download these in zip format also. If you want to keep the core support in tact, my understanding is that the truck needs to be close to 3 feet off the ground in order to get the engine/trans in as one piece. Another option would be a pit. You can also cut the core support loose from the front fenders and cut out the inner fenders altogether. The fenders hang fine from just the cab and the core support. Look for photos here of some of the V8 trucks, it will make more sense.

I'm not actually sure how folks have gotten their engines in. I'm sure you'll get more answers...

What do you plan to use for exhaust?

What are your plans for HP?

Street truck or 1/4 miler?

You may want to look at upgrading the brakes too...

Your truck looks really solid, have fun!

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"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison

There is plenty of room. I installed my motor and trans as 1 unit and have a full stock core support. I only had my front tires maybee 6 inchs off of the ground.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Hoping to use the stock manifolds, if they don't fit then maybe go for the Hooker Headers.
Just want to get the Luv back on the road as a street truck.

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)

3866183 LH3 GM, Driver's side
3905364 RH11 GM, Passenger's side

These are a couple of good PN's for the stock kick back ram's horns. These should clear the Luv frame. I believe they are a '68-72 ish full size truck item. They come up on ebay and craigslist now and then...

If you get a minute, my Shoestring V8 thread has a bit of discussion on this, including some photos. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=15119&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=60

Keep us posted on your progress

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"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison

My son's 283 he just bought has the 2" straight down ram horns on it if anyone is interested.

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Too much to do and not enough time or money!
Courage is the other side of fear!
Pain is the weakness leaving the body!

Back to project after years of it sitting in the shop. Still wondering about the exhaust manifolds.
The 350 came from a 1978 Chev C10 - has exhaust manifolds. Will these fit in the LUV.
I've been looking for RAM Horn manifolds.
Found these :

DORMAN Part # 674199 GM#3905364 for the right side.

DORMAN Part # 674201 GM#3932469 for the Left side

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)

Welcome back. The Dormans look just like my factory ramhorns but my driver side has the alternator mount on it. Those are pricey new, I am sure you could find a good set of used or some block hugger headers for much less $.

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Three Amigos

Glad to see you are back on this.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Block hugger headers like these will work?

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)

Usually. I have had to make a pie cut on the outer side at the flange and roll the flange towards the fender some and weld it up due to the flange hitting the block and not letting the header flange seal up. Depends on the manufacturer I guess. Only a couple of times I have had that though, you probably will be good. Just something to be aware of...

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

Thanks for the info

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)

If you can swing it now I would recommend installing the Hooker Headers now. I ran the block hungers and I also had to modify them to work. I also had a pretty sharp bend to clear the mounts. I then installed hooker headers and had to pretty much lift my engine up a few inches to install them. It would be much easier to install the hookers while installing the engine. Just my 2 cents and what I went through.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Were you using the Hooker motor mounts with the block huggers that had to be modified?

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)

I run mounts I made. I can tell you the hooker headers fit perfect around my mounts so they must be close to what hooker makes. The block huggers did work it's just the collector and pipe from it was very tight and made a big tight bend.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Motor & tranny now installed. Now for the exhaust...

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75 Luv 350/TH350 (Project in progress)