BUILD THREAD 86 Monte Carlo LS swap and frame off resto

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buhler86

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Oct 17, 2018
34
58
18
Manitoba, Canada
Here are a few pictures over the last 18 months:
20181018_091110.jpg

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1986 Monte, 86000 kilometers. 305, 200r4 transmission to start.
20181107_212007.jpg

20181116_132631.jpg

20181120_093112.jpg


A little bit of creativity, anxiety, and many jacks to separate the body from the frame....
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20181124_121956.jpg


Successfully got the body on the rotisserie. Now for some dusty fun
20181124_162004.jpg

20190103_190417.jpg
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Overall pretty good floor, one body mount that needed some attention
20190124_092156.jpg


Don't forget about the frame
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20190127_193930.jpg


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Grinding finished, now to put on Eastwood's rust encapsulator
20190424_203401.jpg

One rear frame rail, just too rotten from the stock exhaust
20190518_163950.jpg


Don't want the frame rusting from the inside out, so sprayed it with Eastwood's internal frame coating:
20190520_080320.jpg

20190520_194955.jpg


Next, Eastwood rust encapsulator platinum on the frame and floor
20190520_163541.jpg


Finish the frame off with Eastwood chassis coat black
20190523_082114.jpg


20190523_082133.jpg
 
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buhler86

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Oct 17, 2018
34
58
18
Manitoba, Canada
20190523_214938.jpg

Got that body mount all cleaned up.
20190524_091702.jpg

Finally done with the floor
20190521_101710.jpg


On to the LS swap. A 5.3L out of a 99 silverado
20190601_150242.jpg

20190601_153521.jpg

The engine hadnt run in a few years, so had to take it apart, clean everything up. Fortunately, it didn't need a rebuild. Although the 4L60E transmission (out of a different truck) did need to be rebuilt.
20190601_153522.jpg

20190601_153523.jpg

20190601_153524.jpg


Time to see if it will fit! Had to end up with LS swap manifolds from summit, but otherwise, I am able to run stock oil pan and stock AC setup!
20200104_110325.jpg


Dual exhaust with Thrush rattler 'mufflers' use that term loosely. 4" tips makes it rumble!
20200104_110326.jpeg


Time to do some interior work
20200204_153554.jpg

Column shift isnt as much fun as a B&M quicksilver with ratchet shifting. Just have to make a center console...
20200206_202308.jpg

Things gotta get worse before they can get better!
20200305_190945.jpg

Put a 4 channel amp to accomodate the added 4 speakers in the center console, bringing the sound system to 8 speakers and 2 subs.
20200305_204919.jpg

Finally some cupholders! Gotta love the 80's. 3 stock ash trays, 0 cup holders. Well now it is 2 each... And going from only a speedometer with dummy lights to full gauge cluster from Intellitronix:
20200525_094425.jpg

With the body finally back together and the PCM mounted, cold air intake, and electric fan installed we are ready to start cruising! (now just need to finish hooking up the AC and the cruise control, and fine tune a few things!)
20200525_094555.jpg
 
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5spdCab

Royal Smart Person
Dec 29, 2019
1,190
1,989
113
Tukwila, Wa.
Impressive work!!! You have been holding out on us, I see that you joined about a year and a half ago, but have rarely posted.
 
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oldsmobile joe

Royal Smart Person
Nov 12, 2015
2,067
3,053
113
mpls
What are you using for the radiator top plate? Electric cooling fans or clutch fan and shroud?
 
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liquidh8

Comic Book Super Hero
Looking good!
 
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buhler86

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Oct 17, 2018
34
58
18
Manitoba, Canada
Impressive work!!! You have been holding out on us, I see that you joined about a year and a half ago, but have rarely posted.
Thanks, I have been more of a reader than a writer!

What are you using for the radiator top plate? Electric cooling fans or clutch fan and shroud?
I am using the stock fan shroud, but I cut part of it away to fit the cold air intake. And just have the electric fan attached to the rad. I can take another pic of that if you want, just let me know.

hell yes buddy!!! another local manitoban!!!
Where are you from?
 
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blk7gxn

Royal Smart Person
Feb 7, 2019
1,390
1,886
113
View attachment 147168
Got that body mount all cleaned up.
View attachment 147169
Finally done with the floor
View attachment 147170

On to the LS swap. A 5.3L out of a 99 silverado
View attachment 147171
View attachment 147172
The engine hadnt run in a few years, so had to take it apart, clean everything up. Fortunately, it didn't need a rebuild. Although the 4L60E transmission (out of a different truck) did need to be rebuilt. View attachment 147173
View attachment 147174
View attachment 147175

Time to see if it will fit! Had to end up with LS swap manifolds from summit, but otherwise, I am able to run stock oil pan and stock AC setup!
View attachment 147176

Dual exhaust with Thrush rattler 'mufflers' use that term loosely. 4" tips makes it rumble!
View attachment 147177

Time to do some interior work
View attachment 147178
Column shift isnt as much fun as a B&M quicksilver with ratchet shifting. Just have to make a center console... View attachment 147179
Things gotta get worse before they can get better!
View attachment 147180
Put a 4 channel amp to accomodate the added 4 speakers in the center console, bringing the sound system to 8 speakers and 2 subs. View attachment 147181
Finally some cupholders! Gotta love the 80's. 3 stock ash trays, 0 cup holders. Well now it is 2 each... And going from only a speedometer with dummy lights to full gauge cluster from Intellitronix:
View attachment 147182
With the body finally back together and the PCM mounted, cold air intake, and electric fan installed we are ready to start cruising! (now just need to finish hooking up the AC and the cruise control, and fine tune a few things!)
View attachment 147183
Just love what you did with the cup holder!! Everything is looking GREAT!!!
 
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mclellan83

Comic Book Super Hero
Jun 27, 2017
4,204
9,310
113
Pgh, PA
Good work, love to see the abbreviated version so that I can pay attention
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
Supporting Member
Jan 2, 2006
8,088
17,308
113
Very nice work! Cupholders are a very nice touch as well.
 
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