EagleChief's 1971 Build Thread

[EagleChief]

To keep things updated. We have decided to go ahead with an LS swap. No telling how long it's going to take. I'm sure it'll be a marathon process, so anyone following along, please be patient. I did start a thread over on the LS area to get some more input, so there will probably more step by step stuff on it.

So far, I've drained the oil and radiator. Unbolted the radiator, alternator, temp gauge, and a few other odds and ends to get it ready to pull the motor out.

Also, I picked up a couple of GM steering wheels at a swap meet a week ago. Found a nice 67-72 wheel and a nice early '80's wheel. I ended up going with the '80's steering wheel for my truck. 2 reasons - 1) it is smaller diameter and it fits me a lot better than the earlier version, and 2) my son liked it better.

If I can determine whether the 67-72 wheel is legit, or a reproduction, I'll probably put it up here for sale.

[EagleChief]

Got the motor and transmission pulled. Now to get them listed and sold. Need to work on cleaning up the engine bay and getting it ready for the transplant LS!

[EagleChief]

Now that I have the LS swap in progress, I have another thread that is related to that, just in case anyone is curious.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=811460

Got the motor in and mounted. Just need to get the trans crossmember in to support it all. Then to work on fuel system and wiring.

[EagleChief]

Decided I need to update this thread, as I've mostly only kept the LS swap thread going. But, even with that, I haven't had a whole lot of time to do anything to the truck. It's been sitting quite a bit with 3 kids and a busy schedule.

I do have the motor and transmission in place. Wiring is hooked up (for the most part), and I've gotten the itch to work on it again since the weather has warmed up. I'm working on mounting my gas tank under the bed (slowly), and then can run the fuel lines.

While scoping things out the other night, I ran across an issue/dilemma. Looking at my setup, my power steering pump has the setup for the hydroboost. Would it be worth it to change my brake booster to a hydroboost setup, or, just plug that connection on the PS pump and continue to use my current brake booster?

I found this on RockAuto for an early 90's Astro Van booster setup: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1884&jsn=1827

I'm not even sure if it would work, or not. But, I did see some threads referencing an early 90's van setup.

[Smitty]

Not long ago I put a 350 crate motor in my 71. After which I wasn't at all pleased with my brakes. Had the booster checked and found it to be good. But it was determined that because of the cam in this motor it didn't create enough vacuum to work the booster. Recommended the hydro boost route. Since I'm having it done in a shop decided that a kit was the best route for me. I ended up with a cpp set up from Summit. The only thing lacking was an adapter for one of my brake lines. Since they are stainless I didn't want to just change out the line. So ordered the adapter.

[EagleChief]

Another update, although no pictures to prove it.

I swapped out my headlights - well, first of all, I removed the LMC headlight relay harness that I had installed to try and get more power to the headlights. I took it out, due to the corrosion that had built up on the wires when I last used it (3.5 years ago). Some of the wires had split the coating and corrosion was coming out of the coating. So, I pulled that off.

Then, I pulled out the old headlights and installed the new LED headlights I had purchased a while ago. There's a write-up on here about them somewhere, and the results seemed to be good. SO, I thought I'd give them a try. It'll still be a while before I can test them out, but fingers crossed.

**edit** Here's the link to the thread: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=799314

[EagleChief]

The latest update, mainly for my records, was swapping out the shifter linkage on the transmission to work with the trucks column shifter. The linkage (if that's the correct term) that was on my transmission, was not working with my setup. So, I bought a bracket for a T350 (with the help and guidance of @a1971Blazer and @LockDoc). I pulled the old bracket off and replaced it with the new 350 bracket. Everything works like it should - so far. I can run the column shifter up and down through the gears, so I'm assuming everything is working like it should.