Thread: My 1984 K10 - LM7 swap!!

Originally Posted by FordMan77

Ahh, always nice to see a bunch of zero's roll around no matter what the mileage. The 6 digit odo's make it impossible to hide the mileage nowadays

I like that the 60k mark mostly coincides with the swap. Should make it easier to keep track of things.

So... BIG things coming for the old K10.



Input drum housing:
6061 Billet thread on top cap
8 Raybestos GPZ custom frictions
8 Custom .090 steels
Custom bottom pressure plate
5 Allen set screws
5 Load release springs




I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing about 15% to 20% more surface area on these 3-4 frictions.

Originally Posted by SgtMarshal

I spy with my little eye, is that a torsion limited slip differential?

Nope. 5 pinion planets from a 4L65/70e. Big torque parts.

On that new axle with the G80, while I had one mess up and the next one was good.... you should not run it. Seems easy to find used LSD's on the truck forums. Would be a great add for your mudding experiences. lol

After driving this thing for a little while, I'm content with the axles. At least for now. I have priced out "Lunchbox" lockers. Looks like people have had mixed success, but it seems to depend a lot on if they are set up correctly. Can't argue with the price though. Under $300 for a drop in locker. Be cool to do front and rear.

You could always drive it a couple years and see if a need ever arises, for an upgrade. I bet you never play that rowdy with it.

Originally Posted by idrivejunk

You could always drive it a couple years and see if a need ever arises, for an upgrade. I bet you never play that rowdy with it.

You're probably right. It's been fine for 37 years. If I don't do anything too stupid, it should be fine for another 40.

So it looks like I'm going to have to drop the tank. I believe my nearly new fuel pump has pooped (or is pooping) the bed. Truck runs fine for about an hour of normal driving, then out of the blue will stall like it's run out of fuel. Hit the key and there's no fuel pump whine, no pressure. Wait a minute and I can hear the pump run, but it sounds weak and only builds about 30 psi. Wait another 10 minutes and the truck will fire with 58 psi of FP. Gets about 5 minutes down the road and the cycle repeats. I was close enough to the house, I just had my wife pull me home with the white trash truck.

I thought I bought a good pump. Was supposed to be a Walbro 255. Maybe I got hit with a China knock off. I ordered a AEM 50-1200 this time. I've had one of those in the S10 for years and never had a lick of problems. It's E85 capable, because you never know that the future may bring.

I guess I'm not super upset about it. I was in a hurry to get the tank in so there's a couple things I neglected to do the first time around. I didn't have any 5/16" hose, so I couldn't hook up a vent line, and it would be nice to hit the tank with some bedliner or undercoating. At least I will be in the driveway and not in the dirt.

That's next weeks project.

The AEM is in the tank and the talk is back in the truck. Appears to be fixed, but I won't be 100% confident until I take it on a long drive on a hot day.

While the tank was out I;
Covered it with undercoating
Added a legit Metri-pack connector for the pump feed and ground
Added a length of 5/16" hose to the vent line.
Cleaned up the chassis ground for pump and level sender


I also replaced a squeaking tensioner pulley.

Added a few more things to the trans build list. Here's everything laid out. Also shown, a prime core. If you know, you know...



Why such a big trans build? Planning ahead.



​​​​​​​It's a long term plan, but it's in the works nonetheless.

Vintage-air AC kit came today. Based on how long it me to do the motor swap, I should have the AC installed within the next 6 to 9 months. Honestly, I'd be happy to have it in by the spring.

they giving away lets go brandon stickers? or pvt stash to cover the addy? lol

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

they giving away lets go brandon stickers?

Definitely not. LOL I just wanted to cover my address and those were close by. Lets go ME!

It's a Magnuson Radix MP112. Magnuson made bolt on kits specifically for the GMT800 back in the day. I don't think they were super popular for whatever reason. That's about as much as I know. I'll learn more as I put it together. Whenever that happens...

I looked into similar when I had my 2000. Couldn't quite get myself to pull the trigger and mod the most dependable vehicle in the fleet at the time.

Looking really good buddy. That AC will be great in the truck.

Well frigg. The truck has developed a pretty bad lifter tick. Been getting progressively worse over the last couple months. It's to the point now where you can hear it in the cab while cruising OVER the noise of the exhaust. Idle oil pressure is around 30/18, cold/hot even with 15w-40. Not sure what went wrong, but I have a plan...

I picked up another 5.3 for cheap that was supposed to go in my Malibu. I think I'm going to "build" that engine and drop it in the K10 instead. Build will be; SS1 cam, PAC 1218 springs, all new gaskets (including HG's), and cam bearings (assuming they are cooked, cause they probably are), maybe a mild head porting, and lap the valves. I will leave the bottom end as is, assuming it looks good. Basically the same as what I have in the truck now, plus the cam bearings and head work. I think it will be easier to build another engine on the stand and swap vs. fiddle farting with replacing lifters and/or oil pumps on the motor while it's in the truck. Plus I plan to put that build trans in at the same time.



Then, I will take the clacking motor from the K10 and build that for the Malibu. Only do a better job this time.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

I looked into similar when I had my 2000. Couldn't quite get myself to pull the trigger and mod the most dependable vehicle in the fleet at the time.

I completely understand. I have a 2005 2500HD as a backup that I will never touch for that exact reason.

Looking really good buddy. That AC will be great in the truck.

Thanks man. The simple addition of AC will be a game changer for this truck. I think I conned a buddy into doing the instal for me. He's looking for a side hustle, kind of like what I have with the 60e building. Told him this could be your thing. I know there is a market for a guy that specializes in putting AC kits in old cars out here in the desert. Probably end up trading a trans build or some parts washer time. We both win!

Originally Posted by SgtMarshal

...then have the current engine for a spare, just in case.

Might as well, if you can get it cheap enough. I'll maybe have a grand into this 2nd engine by the time all is said and done. That's going all the way down and replacing 100% of the consumables. Rings, bearings, gaskets, oil pump, etc.

Should start going back together soon. Dingleball hone looks beautiful. This is the last and final piece to clean up.

that parts washer is the bee's knees.