LS327 Engine Swap In A 1973 Chevy C10 - The Parts Racer Runs Again!

1. While Tim and I were working topside, we decided to install the engine swap headers to make sure our engine placement was proper before we proceeded. BRP sells these ceramic-coated Hedman Hedders, which are designed for '73-'87 Chevy C10s with LS-series engines. The 1-7/8-inch primary tubes and 3-inch collectors were a good match for our mild powerplant. Note that it's not absolutely necessary to do so, but we ground a crescent shape into the driver-side framerail to make installing the header without scratching it easier. The engine won't really torque to that side under acceleration enough for the header to touch the 'rail.

2a.The old exhaust is the worst abomination of hacked-up tubing I've ever seen in my life. Someone literally chopped and welded 28 lengths of pipe together to crookedly mount a pair of Flowmaster mufflers under this truck. Worse yet, the pipes were only welded halfway around, resulting in the worst exhaust leak ever.

2b. A 3-inch-diameter Flowmaster U-fit kit to backs the new headers and you'll be able to see that full install later in this issue.

1. The LS327/327 comes with the water pump and thermostat housing but not the other accessories like an alternator, power steering pump, or A/C compressor. Although factory units are available from GMPP, there isn't a stock bracket that puts the A/C compressor in a spot that will fit into the '73. The factory bracket places that compressor right against the passenger-side framerail.

2. Enter Street and Performance and Mark Campbell, the owner and mastermind behind engine swaps galore. S&P manufactures pulley systems and engine swap parts for just about any incarnation of Chevy, Ford, and Dodge engine you'd want to stuff into your sport truck and Mark is a vast source of knowledge. I went with the company's polished serpentine conversion system for the '73 because I've had great luck with this system on my '67 Chevy.

3. Here's a great example of the ease of installation of these pulleys. Even if you lose the instruction manual the parts are engraved so you know where they go.

4. Although the engine comes with a factory waterneck and 195-degree thermostat, S&P sells one that swivels, which makes fitting the lower radiator hose much easier.

5a. Whether you're switching to a rack-in-pinion steering system or a power-assisted Saginaw gearbox like mine, S&P has a pump and mounting system that'll work.

6. Here's a look at the completed front accessory drive, minus the serpentine belt.