5.3L LS swap and overall restoration – Reference photos with descriptions
…arranged newest to oldest…
Please note that you can click on the pics for a larger view, but must use your browser “Back” button to return to the page to continue.
important info to have at the salvage yard...
important info to have at the salvage yard...
donor parts vehicle
rear axle code. Google/Maliburacing.com says 2:56 gear ratio
This is the weatherstrip adhesive to use. Very sticky and can easily be messy. ONE TUBE is enough for all 4 doors as the weatherstrip is held with clips on sides and bottom.
time for new door weather strip. Soffseal # 5036 for front and 5038 for rear.
time for new door weather strip. Soffseal # 5036 for front and 5038 for rear.
replaced body vent. standard Gbody vent
time for new door weather strip. Soffseal # 5036 for front and 5038 for rear.
time for new door weather strip. Soffseal # 5036 for front and 5038 for rear.
clean and repair (re-pin) a couple of door hinges
clean and repair (re-pin) a couple of door hinges
that Gbody lean...
new brakes, new hardware, cleaned, ready to stop...
new brakes, new hardware, cleaned, ready to stop...
cylinder brackets are now rust-free for the most part
cylinder brackets are now rust-free for the most part
I installed the wheel cylinder like the one I replaced... This is upside down FYI...
I installed the wheel cylinder like the one I replaced... This is upside down FYI...
Removing rust in a vinegar bath
Removing rust in a vinegar bath
that's not a leak, that's penetrating oil...
a few weeks later after that 12 hour drive, I blew a rear brake line... Time to do some cleaning and repair... may as well replace some things...
made it home!
Picked up the Blazer at airport and on the final leg home...
long drive back with the exhaust leaks and other small issues, but a good trip...
The road trip back begins...
Headed to New Jersey to pick it up. Hard to beat $55 airfare!
pic from the seller in NJ
pic from the seller in NJ
What type of ac condenser did you use ? I see that your lines are on the passenger side of vehicle . Also what did you use for the intake fitting for your power brakes ?
I used the Gbody Cutlass Condenser for AC to keep the install cleaner. It has connections on passenger-side whereas Malibu has driver-side connections. Intake fitting for power brakes? Everything on the brakes, from booster to lines to calipers/wheel cylinders are all OEM replacement. Hard lines and proportioning valve are from inlinetube.com
Do you have any part numbers for the ac hoses along with fittings ?
Hoses are custom fit and made. Even a couple fittings were custom made.
The tv bracket and cable ? Are they custom or replacements ? Do you have part numbers
The TV cable was oem, but I broke the housing and replaced it with an adjustable cable. The bracket was custom fabbed and the connector arm was custom fabbed. There’s a bit if information about how I did this in the write-up. See the menu for the URL.