C10 LS swap questions (I maybe over thinking)

[Gpreciado5327]

Hello everyone and thank you for the add!

I own a 1983 C10 and currently have a 6.0 /4L65E swap that I am installing. I have the new 87’ gas tank, sending unit, and fuel line along with the tejas mounts for engine and trans.

I pulled the stock harness from my C10 off the bulk head and want to get ride of wires I don’t need and reloom the harness to update the look a bit. I apologize if these questions have been answered but I cannot find the threads.

Here goes nothing:

1. With a stand alone harness do I need to connect the LS style sensors for temp and oil pressure to stand alone harness or do I just leave those off since I will be using the stock gauges and hooking them up to the stock truck harness, Or does the harness need them for tuning purposes?
2. The alternator from the standalone harness has its own plug so I need to run a power cable to the battery and gauge or just the gauge?
3. I have seen people on YouTube use distribution blocks for the constant and switched power and a circuit breaker is this normal?


Thanks again, sorry got all the questions this has me stumped a bit.

 

[Elliot W]

To use the stock gauges in the truck with the LS, I ran the existing wires to the LS. I bought a temp sensor adapter (can't remember the brand or dimensions but there are many vendors that sell them online). I'm not at my garage right now, but I'm fairly certain the stand alone harness has a temp plug on it for the temp sensor on the block. The adapter is for a 2nd temp sensor on the passenger side that you use for your original gauge. I bought small ohm 1/2W resistors to install as well since normal operating temperature seems to peg the temp gauge high. Use the original oil line for pressure, but you'll need some fittings for it (or at least I did). Not sure about the voltage gauge question because I left my truck harness in place and didn't have that issue. Also not entirely sure what you are asking for power distribution...what harness are you using? Are the instructions not complete?

 

[Gpreciado5327]

Thanks for your answer, I was able to figure out the need for the distribution block.

The reason behind the distribution blocks is because normally all the 12volt constant would run right off the starter as well as one of the 12volt ignition wire.

The blocks help cut down on the rats nest possibility at the starter since you will be needing power for your fans, fuel pump, harness etc.

 

[Elliot W]

Oo got it. There is the power terminal in the center of the firewall if you care to use it.