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View Full Version : New Guy Installing a V8 right now.....


ThomasAlexander
01-04-2009, 10:45 AM
Hello!

My name is Thomas and I own a automotive repair shop in New Orleans. You guys were suggested to me when I came up with a 1997 Vortec 5.7 & a donor pickup with a standard transmission. I decided to install the motor and transmission into my 1991 S10 with a 4 cylinder engine.

I have questions. What a surprise!!

I bought conversion mounts from S10 V8.com. The two mounts are different. I am assuming the one with the big hole goes on the right side of the block. That would make the pointy part of the mount face forward. I hope this is correct.

The headers I bought on S10V8 as well hit my steering shaft. There is a passagway in the tubing on the header. Can I pass the steering shaft through the headers? Is that what I am supposed to do? Also The headers are REALLY close to the spark plug wires so I put some header wrap only on parts near the wires. Is that ok or do I need to wrap the whole thing?

I know I am supposed to use the 2.8 L engine mounts and I have to remove the lower control arms to bolt them in. Since I now have the springs out should I install a new set of springs to make up for the extra weight? I would prefer to jack my truck up( or keep it the same heigth at least) and not lower it.

The new conversion engine mounts have two sets of slots to bolt the engine to the frame mounts. Which set am i supposed to use? The top set or the lower set of holes? Also the holes where the mounts bolt to the block are slotted. Should I slide them towards the front of the truck or towards the back?

Thanks you for reading this far. I'm sure you all get questions like this all of the time. There is a one wire sensor on the right side of the engine block that is probably the knock sensor. If the mount on that side has to slide back it will hit and break that sensor. I plugged the passageway but where do you suggest I reinstall this sensor? I plan to use the existing Wiring harness and computer that came with my donor engine. I saved the cats, emiss system and rear O2 out of the donor truck as well to aviod check engine lights and I am converting the harness to plug and play to make the install easy. Also in 97 I think it does not have VATS to worry about but just in case I have the column and key out of the donor vehicle.

Lastly I have a 1997 GMC 1500 pick up for sale with a gas saving 2.5 Litre engine and standard transmission for sale. Make Offer! The power steering is not working. As you can see I have way too much time on my hands.....

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I know your time is valuable!

To give you all a harder time I'll have more question when I modify the rear end. I've read up on the write ups on the rear ends and may have a another good idea.

Thomas

HardinValleyMagic
01-04-2009, 10:54 AM
I can help a little but not with everything.
Yes take the steering shaft out and remove the plastic sleeve on it. The feed it through the header. That is why the center ones go further out.
As for spark plug wire boots mine are close but the don't have a problem. If you really don't want to wrap them then check in to a short spark plug.
The 2 sets of slots are for adjustment as well as the oblong slot against the block. Not all conversions are the exact same. So there for the mounts are made so when installed you can move the engine up, down. forward, backward. This helps with clearance issues.
Hope that is a little insight to some of the issues your up against.
Also 97 1500 with a 4 banger, LMAO! Throw it on craigslist I'm sure some would buy it.LOL!

HardinValleyMagic
01-04-2009, 10:58 AM
Here is a pic. you can see the steering shaft.

ZR1BLAZER
01-04-2009, 12:12 PM
every S10 i have delt with so far already had the 2.8 in it so i never had to swap frame mounts. like mentioned above the 2 holes in the side of the engine mounts are for adjustability up and down on engine. everyone i have done i used the bottom set. setting the engine at its highest point. the oblong holes are where you bolt the mount to the engine. the slots allow you to slide the motor all the way forward and all the way back. if your using the 5 speed as mentioned then you wont have any issues with the knock sensor because your motor will ride in the all the way fwd position so you can still run the stick through the stock hole in the floor. front springs can be swapped to a 4.3 stock spring and that will allow it to ride at a stock height. as far as the rear end goes i wouldnt touch it. if your using a stock 350 with no upgrades the 10 bolt will live up to the abuse. just swap in a posi and the desired gear set and your ready to roll. i live in houma. i am in N.O. (westbank) quite often. if you need some help or just someone to take a look and point you in the right direction PM me and let me know. and of course the headers. you see the pic. just remove the shaft install the motor and header then run the shaft through the header and reattach at both ends. some headers are bad with plug and plug wire clearance. just use a set of accel shorty plugs made with the extended reach for vortec heads (very important) and a set of taylor plug wire with the 45 degree boots and you wont have to wrap the header or plug wire.

HATFIELDSCHEVY
01-04-2009, 12:13 PM
you can mount the knock sensor anywhere. personaly i would isolate it 2 rubber washers and a ground wire loop drill a hole in fire wall loop the wire to ground the switch and plug it in that will satisfy the pcm and not cause knock retard of timming do to eng. mod. or get the pcm reflashed to remove sesor all together. painlees reflashes pcm for costom wiring fo i think 15.00 but i could be wrong about the price. hardin valley covered the plugs and header tubes, my plugs aren't wraped eaither. i would do springs and mounts while you have it apart.

ThomasAlexander
01-04-2009, 04:15 PM
Thanks for all of the replies! I Bolted the engine in today as well as the steering shaft. The headers had some clearance issues when I put the motor in and i simply beat the crap out of the floor pan to get the desired results. The transmission and crossmember will go in next. I'm sure I will have more questions after I attempt this. Crossmember, drive shaft etc. I will try to bolt in the stock stuff and if it does not work I will bother you all some more.

You all rock!!

Thomas

s10dave
01-04-2009, 04:30 PM
i have noticed in the s10 conversion manual that the front of the truck doesn't drop very much with the addition of the v8. I cant remember if it is very different from the 4 cyl to the 6 cyl. I have a 2.8 and am not expecting to change springs.

ThomasAlexander
01-04-2009, 04:57 PM
Aparantly the 4.3, 2.5, and 2.8 all have the same replacement number from NAPA unless you have a 2.5 without A/C. Then the spring is smaller. I guess that A/C just pushed it over the edge! Glad you mentioned it. I guess that's why you do not have any problems with the springs and the V8. How much does it change the ride?

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4;
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission Heavy Duty w/ Air Conditioning Long Bed Except Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4;
Comment: w/ Automatic Transmission Heavy Duty Long Bed Except Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4;
Comment: Heavy Duty Long Bed Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.8 L 173 CID V6;
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission Heavy Duty Long Bed

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (Ext'd Cab 2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission Heavy Duty Tahoe Package


NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (Ext'd Cab 2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Automatic Transmission w/o Air Conditioning Heavy Duty Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (Ext'd Cab 2 Dr.);
Comment: Heavy Duty Except Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.8 L 173 CID V6; BodyStyle:Pickup (Ext'd Cab 2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission w/o Air Conditioning Heavy Duty Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.8 L 173 CID V6; BodyStyle:Pickup (Ext'd Cab 2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission Heavy Duty Except Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Automatic Transmission Heavy Duty w/ Air Conditioning Short Bed Except Tahoe Package Except EL Package

Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: Heavy Duty w/ Air Conditioning Short Bed Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.8 L 173 CID V6; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission Heavy Duty Short Bed Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:2.8 L 173 CID V6; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission Heavy Duty w/ Air Conditioning Short Bed Except Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:4.3 L 262 CID V6; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Automatic Transmission w/o Air Conditioning Heavy Duty Short Bed Tahoe Package

NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:4.3 L 262 CID V6; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/o Air Conditioning Heavy Duty Short Bed Except Tahoe Package Except EL Package


NCP 2773205
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 124.64 69.69
Engine:4.3 L 262 CID V6; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: Heavy Duty Short Bed EL Package

NCP 2773174
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 126.31 70.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4;
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission w/o Air Conditioning Heavy Duty Long Bed Except Tahoe Package

NCP 2773174
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 126.31 70.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Manual Transmission Heavy Duty Short Bed Except Tahoe Package Except EL Package

NCP 2773174
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 126.31 70.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/ Automatic Transmission w/o Air Conditioning Heavy Duty Short Bed Except Tahoe Package Except EL Package

NCP 2773174
Coil Spring - Front 1 0.00 126.31 70.69
Engine:2.5 L 151 CID L4; BodyStyle:Pickup (2 Dr.);
Comment: w/o Air Conditioning Heavy Duty Short Bed Tahoe Package

harleyboy
01-04-2009, 06:48 PM
The 2.8 spring wont move with the v8 so your good to go with those springs