1978 F150 5.3 LM7 Swap
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 183
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Amazing. I too am a machinist and hope to do this swap. Now, I have a 2WD, And I would like to use a factory 5.3 trans (auto ar std,) Do you see a problem here? any advice on computer cpu problems/tips/tricks? Thanks SO much. Id like to send you a pic, your truck looks great!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Thanks! It still needs a lot of loose ends tied up and the waterpump needs to be replaced, it was leaking out the weep hole. Before I can truly drive it I also need to figure out a throttle cable since my truck had hard linkage all the way to the carburetor. I also need to refine my clutch linkage, but it may only need a strong return spring.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Yea i noticed that. Do you know if pedal end of the cable shielding mounts to the engine block or the firewall?
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Senior User
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That would be awesome. I really appreciate it.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Made a quick bracket for the throttle cable out of some aluminum angle. I used a Mr. Gasket Universal Cable and the stock 351m pedal, but I bent the linkage back towards the cab about 2 inches.
Mounted my VSS in the pto plate on the transfer case reading the 4 low gear. I made a bushing for the sensor out of black pipe on the lathe, drilled a hole in the PTO cover and welded it in place.
I also got my clutch linkage sorted out and was able to drive it down the street today. Not far and not fast because my booster is bad and no rear brakes, but whoa! A huge difference from the tired 351m.
Mounted my VSS in the pto plate on the transfer case reading the 4 low gear. I made a bushing for the sensor out of black pipe on the lathe, drilled a hole in the PTO cover and welded it in place.
I also got my clutch linkage sorted out and was able to drive it down the street today. Not far and not fast because my booster is bad and no rear brakes, but whoa! A huge difference from the tired 351m.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Thanks! Dakota Digital makes a VSS adapter that uses the oem speedometer gear, but unfortunately for the ford np205 transfer case you cannot use their pass through unit and that would mean that my factory ford speedometer would not work. I really wanted to keep all of my factory gauges operable. Hopefully the 4L gear tooth spacing is not too wide for the GM VSS and it reads fine. I won't know until i get it wired in and read it with my scan tool.
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Bravo on the swap!!! I must say that the Community has responded very rationally!! I'm shocked out of my head! I've done the same swap to my 1997 which was a victim of the 4.2 hydrolock. The swap was a 2wd and I used a T56. I've got 100 hp and 100 ft/lbs over the 4.2 AND get mid 20s on the highway. The mechanical part of the swap was amazingly simple. I'm not an electrical wizard so the electricals took much longer than it should have. I might document the whole swap. I've had it for about 6 months now. I'm building a 5.7 LS1 now for propane specific use. That's my next adventure with this truck.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
Bravo on the swap!!! I must say that the Community has responded very rationally!! I'm shocked out of my head! I've done the same swap to my 1997 which was a victim of the 4.2 hydrolock. The swap was a 2wd and I used a T56. I've got 100 hp and 100 ft/lbs over the 4.2 AND get mid 20s on the highway. The mechanical part of the swap was amazingly simple. I'm not an electrical wizard so the electricals took much longer than it should have. I might document the whole swap. I've had it for about 6 months now. I'm building a 5.7 LS1 now for propane specific use. That's my next adventure with this truck.
