LUVTruck.com

I HAVE READ EVERYTHING THAT I CAN GET MY HANDS ON ABOUT THE V8 CONVERSIONS. ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES DID I SEE ANYTHING ABOUT FIREWALL MODIFICATIONS.

WHAT MODS IF ANY HAVE YOU GUYS HAD TO MAKE?
IF YOU HAVE PICTURES ---- I WOULD REALLLLLLLY LIKE TO SEE THEM!

THANKS,
GILES5

if you use a points distubitor or the small MSD dist than all you have to do
is hamer the firewall in about 1/2 in or so only where the dist cap is
the bellhousing to firewall is close also -on my truck before i made a removable trans crossmember the bellhousing bolts are very close on the passangers side if you put the bolts first before the trans or engine than its easer hope this helps

I posted 2 new pics of how i did my firewall at http://photos.yahoo.com/barlienringo . I cut out a portion 7 1/2" wide X 12" long, this was enough to fit a MSD HEI. The sheet metal i replaced it with is 1 1/2" deep. I think this looks alot better than bashing in your firewall with a sledge. I dont run a heater core so i'm uncertain as to whether the 1 1/2" depth will interfere. I hope this helps. Bryan

hey Bryan.
was you able to put the eng and trans in seperate by doing that?
from everything ive read/heard the biggest bitch is getting the top 2 tranny bolts in
btw im putting in a 84 buick 3.8w/th350

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I like my steak like I like my women, young, tender and bloody.

All I need is my weed, women, and wine. -Edge City Outlaws

I put the two in together and cut holes inside my cab to access the tranny bolts. Even if i was to do it seperate i would be able to install the top two and then install the firewall cover. Thanks, Bryan

larphead, 3.8 V6 right?

You shouldn't have the same problems as the V8 guys, at least not near as bad.

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If at first you don't succeed, try it like your wife told you to do it.

yeah ben 3.8 V6

from what i understand (mostly from Tilted, my tech advisor lol ) those top 2 bolts are still a bitch

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I like my steak like I like my women, young, tender and bloody.

All I need is my weed, women, and wine. -Edge City Outlaws

i sent Ben some pics of my trans crossmember he should have them up soon in the picture gallary with the crossmember
removed you can drop the trans down to get to the trans bolts just like a regular car just be careful of the distubitor it will contact the firewall. if you guys want i can make a sketch with dimentions. i'll send it to ben to post

Hey Giles5,
What perfect timing to ask for pictures. I have a 72 LUV with the firewall setback 3 inches and I am pulling my motor this weekend, so i can take some real good pictures of the modification. I will look up your email address and send the pics directly to you (probably Monday). Hope this helps.

Steve

HEY SLEEPERLUV

THANKS FOR THINKING OF ME.
ANY HELP IS WELCOME - PICS OF FIREWALL MODS, RADIATOR, MOTOR & TRANNY MOUNTS, ETC.

ANYTHING WOULD HELP.
GONNA START GUTTING MINE OUT AND STARTING THE CONVERSION NEXT WEEK.

THANKS,
GILES5

If you go to Hooker Headers on the web, they have a download picture of the mods needed to firewall to install V-8. Doing Same thing to install 4.3 V-6.

Luv76

You don't happen to have that link do you?

Giles5

The web site I got it from is http://WWW.luvtruck.com/pdf/12606.pdf. This has info and pictures to download. Hope this helps.

Brian, you still out there. nice radiatior and water pump. I ran the same one, but had coolng problems.

does your truck run cool enough on a hot day?

NICE install man.

Thanks 77, I havent cranked it over yet. I'm damn close, Still need new driveshaft made, somebody to do my exhaust work, and a new starter. I hope i dont have problems overheating that is why i went with the aluminum radiator and the biggest pusher fan i could fit. I also ran the tranny lines to its own cooler. I was told that the moroso waterpump was more than adequate, of course this came from a drag racer and not somebody who drove his truck on the street. I hope to have it on the road and track this spring. Does anybody else think i might have a problem overheating and what else should i do? Thanks, Bryan P.S. My wifes goal is also to have it done by spring, she rules!

well, heres my experience. three radiators later and im puttin in aluminum. It will be #4. I have aluminum everything. It acts like a heat sink and draws all the heat out of the metal block right into the coolant area so temps are a bit higher. i attributred this a while back to trying to run the electric pump. May not have been the problem.

i ran the same fan you have, and now have a electric and mechanical fan. with both, I still run hot. havent overheated, but Im just baggin it for aluminum. ive heard nothin but good things about how much lower running temps are. Youll know- it will over heat, ........or not!

what size it your radiator? hurry up and fire it off so i know what size to buy LOL

In reference to 3.8 motors being easier, they are just as bad. I find it easier to just pull it all out. Engine and trans together. It is easier to remove the 3.8 motor with the trans than it would with a V-8 setup. It can be done with the radiator top support still intact. If the support is cut away for a big radiator, then the V-6 motor/trans removal is a breeze. I pulled the motor once without the trans and it was the only time i'll ever do that.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

It's a Griffin 19 x 22 , instead of a 4 core its a 2 but has the 1" cores instead of the 1/2". I also had to have tabs welded to it to mount it. Maybe there was an easier way, i dont know. Hope i can tell you about it soon. Thanks, Bryan