Well, I finally have a enough items to start this build thread. Hope everyone like it and if anyone has any HELPFUL input along the way it will be greatly appreciated and you will be thanked for it!!

 

Engine out and engine bay painted with fresh paint..

 

Novak motor mounts in and ready for the engine to be fit in the bay. Oh, forgot to mention, it's gettin a 5.3 LS chevy motor...

 

Here is the engine, just about finished with it, I need to re-install the injectors, put on the new plug wires, and re-mount the alternator/power steering bracket. And pull the oil pan to inspect the crank and rods, just for shiets and giggles...

 

Man thats one clean MJ. Looking forward to watching your build, I love seeing V8 swaps. After you get it running whats your plans for it? Lifting it?

 

Great plans I see!

 

Yeah, I am going 8" lift, 2wd to 4wd with 1 ton axles, and Dana 300 t-case twin sticked. It's all gonna kind of go down at once, if ya know what I mean...

 

Well when it goes down, I expect pics out the wazoo

 

So it has been a while since I am doing this as money allows I have been collecting parts here and there, and this is what I have come up with so far...deff more to come soon!

Parts collected ready for fab or install:
5.3 motor
Bellhousing for sm465
SM465 tranny
Dana 300
Manual tranny flywheel
Clutch kit
Dana 60 front axle
Dana 80 rear axle
more to come as $$$ allows...

I have the correct bellhousing, cleaned and ready for paint...


I have ordered this flywheel to make the sm465 and clutch mount to the 5.3. The 5.3 came with auto only from the factory...


I got the clutch the other day... 11" Luk kit 04-049


And it should all come out looking similiar to this when completed, only difference is I am flipping my Dana 300 when installed for driver side drop...Also no red, will be Flat/Satin black and the truck is going to be Flat grey with clear mixed in to give it a little shine and the flat look at the same time...Will up date as I progress with it...

 

Good looking build

 

Thanks, I have been wanting to do this for a long time and it has been a battle the whole way, trying to work and support the pregant wife and baby on one pay check and get this thing going has become a full time job in itself...I have loved every minute of it and can't wait to turn the key and put it in gear for the first time, then it will all be worth it...

 

So, after months of saving money, my second child being born, and a few Large side jobs, this is where I am at as of 11/7/12.

I swapped out the Input shaft in my Dana 300 with the Advanced Adapter kit to mount my SM465 muncie 4-speed behind my 5.3 chevy gen 3 motor (LM7). The AA kit came very well packed and with very detailed instructions on installing the new input shaft in the T/C. It comes with everything you need minus a clocking ring, for those who flip the Dana 300 like I am doing.


I have the flywheel, clutch, and bellhousing on and I am getting ready to sand blast the tranny and t/c after i get my clocking ring and I am able to mount the t/c to the tranny.

I also got my headers on but need to get the proper gasket and gasket material before final torque is made.

I started to upload picture from my camera but I am going to have to reduce the size this evening to fit on the forum and its max picture size requirments.

Stay tuned...

 

sub'd. cant wait to see this come together

 

NEED MORE

 

So, as promised, here are a few of my recent pictures. I have not downsized the pictures on my camera but this is what I have snapped with my Iphone.


Left hand side with MSD wires and block hugger headers


Right hand side with same goodies


Rear view with bellhousing installed and clutch components installed.

Advanced Adapters SM465 to Dana 300 conversion installed. You can kind of see the 10 spline input shaft that has been changed from the 23 spline original shaft. I will be doing a write up on that instal in the Tech section when I get a minute...


Left hand rear view with Novak slave cylinder kit installed.


Stay tuned, there's more to come in a minute...lol

Thanks for watching and all the words of support, hope everyone likes it!