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Big weekend! Finished fuel system, wrapped up some electrical connections, did some troubleshooting, and came up with some work-arounds (bi-passing the “in-park” sensor for start-up), and turned the key (of the Silverado ignition…sitting on my driver’s seat). Started on first attempt, though we had some vacuum issues-namely I hadn’t connected the vac line to the brake boost (pretty sure my dad will be dining out on that find for quite a while!). After addressing that, engine idled nicely, if a little loud (mufflers were not critical path). Still need to sort out coolant and air filter, but couldn’t wait any longer to fire her up!
The eagle eyed amongst you may notice a skylight in my hood- the intake manifold on the V-8 sits a bit higher than the 2F. Adding a hood scoop wasn’t part of the plan, but I don’t hate the idea. Have not finalized the hole b/c intake air and radiator hose routing could impact the extent of the required hole.
Was really hoping to get her on the road last weekend, but a month with no brake fluid in the master cylinder appears to have pushed it over the edge. Brakes would not hold pressure last weekend, so…replace the master cylinder and voila! I’ve got brakes! Also picked up some hose clamps for various radiator pipe mods, modified the intake ducting to fit the engine bay (and also define the extent of the needed hood scoop-see photos), and wired the front lights into the Silverado wire harness. Squeezed a lot into 3 hrs after work/before a red eye flight, but managed to find time to fire her up, test the clutch and brakes in the driveway, and feel good about progress. This little piggy is coming home this weekend!
The long awaited return home…had to aaaah…wait some more. Going through final check lists: zip tie s*** to the steering column, tape lights to bumper, top off fluids and check that lights work, I found I had no turn signals, and was popping fuses. 4 hours, serious wiring diagram review, and complete removal/reinstall of the front lights harness, and I found I that when I was decommissioning one of the unused Silverado side turn signal lights, I had tied it to a ground. Don’t ask me how or why- I obviously did it on purpose b/c I did it to both driver and passenger side lights! Anyway, with that figured out, and the battery recharged (it drained down to 8volts!), I hit the road. And promptly couldn’t figure out why my gearing had apparently changed with the motor swap! I’m obviously pushing too hard to wrap this up, and I’m missing obvious things…like being in 4 Low! I didn’t go too far before figuring that out, and the rest of the ride was thrilling- old piggy jumps off the line, and has mid range torque to accelerate at speed. Still much to do, but this is a big step I’m checking off as complete.
