First engine swap: ‘85 454 into ‘79 C10

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,629
Reaction score
28,896
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I've had to install a lot of hoods myself too. It often involves a hurt back and a couple paint chips.

That's a common place to find an oil sender on a big block.
 

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Had a guy approach me last night as I was attaching the trans cross member. He saw the K30 and invited me to a couple of classis car shows. Went to one this morning (White Trash and White Walls) and saw some niiice trucks and some things I’d never seen before including an old air bagged camper behind an old air bagged chevy truck. Super cool. A couple real clean C/K’s there too. Wish I’d taken pictures now that I say it...

I took off the hood on my 78 and put it back on by myself... wasnt fun or easy but a necessity so i did it. And as for your dumb assery... weve all been in that same boat, gotta learn somehow! But at the end of the day when your beat and worn out you have the satisfaction of knowing you did it. That feeling of self accomplishment is great!

The sense of accomplishment is the best lol. Doing things is the only way I really learn so no better way than to throw myself in over my head.

I've had to install a lot of hoods myself too. It often involves a hurt back and a couple paint chips.

That's a common place to find an oil sender on a big block.

I hear that. I tried to do the hood yesterday but I just can’t lift things over my shoulders like I used to. I had a real bad BMX crash almost 8 years ago and have never fully recovered full strength on the right side of my body from my hips on up. Most of it is around 50-80% and I know what my limits are. It gets better every day and projects like this help a lot with building strength and working on flexibility in seldom used muscle groups. Another perk of working on cars lol

Just a note for any newbs like me reading this thread: Plan to spend money on tools, especially if undertaking a swap like this or attempting just about any mechanics work for the first time. I have a pretty well equipped garage for light auto repairs and motorcycles but still dropped another $300 on tools during this swap: long handle SAE wrenches from 3/8” to 1”, offset SAE box end wrenches in a similar sizes, a transmission jack, small impact sockets, large impact sockets, and impact adapters and extensions.

I also used pieces from several different ratchet sets, separate ratchet extensions and adapters, ratcheting wrenches, regular wrenches, an engine hoist, engine stand, a low profile jack, two jack stands, a 33 gal 2 hp compressor, air impact wrench, 75 ft of air line, and an oil catch pan.

I think that’s it as far as tools go. Hopefully that info helps someone else as they undertake a similar swap.

Probably won’t hear much from me until sometime next week. I have a lot of clean up to do in the garage and will be spending all weekend with the kiddo.

Thanks again for the info, advice, and anecdotes guys!

Mini Update:

Bought a few parts... mostly fluids.

$1950 budget
+$50 sold old block
-$750 engine
-$500 truck
-$68 gasket sets
-$168 headers
-$34 plug wires
-$98 ATF, oil, coolant
-$8 thermostat and gasket
-$30 flex plate
-$9 carb gasket
-$72 trans cooler lines

=$263 left!

Truck has a naasty stance now.

You must be registered for see images attach


Engine is also richer one carb. It’s getting there guys!

You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Starting to sort out the wiring this evening... Diagrams are printing as I type this post.

Like I said, this is where the "HELP I'M A NEWB!!!" happens. Bolting things together that line up is much easier.



So this is my oil pressure send seen in the attachment below? How do I hook it up/what does the connector look like? We're inbetween thunderstorms so I may as well get started. If it wires into the stock harness with that two pin plug and the single off the end, then I'm all for it!

If not I also have a manual oil pressure gauge someone installed in the truck with an 1/8" plug and enough plastic(?) hose to reach the front of the block, though I'd rather not string it out so far. Is there an easy place to plumb that into the block? Somewhere on the back?

You must be registered for see images attach


And this is the temp sensor, I get that. I think my connector might be on that burned up harness...

You must be registered for see images attach


Also what the heck is this thing on my drivers fender well? It has a slide cable on it that makes me think it was once actuated by the throttle?

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,034
Reaction score
25,602
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Starting to sort out the wiring this evening... Diagrams are printing as I type this post.

Like I said, this is where the "HELP I'M A NEWB!!!" happens. Bolting things together that line up is much easier.



So this is my oil pressure send seen in the attachment below? How do I hook it up/what does the connector look like? We're inbetween thunderstorms so I may as well get started. If it wires into the stock harness with that two pin plug and the single off the end, then I'm all for it!

If not I also have a manual oil pressure gauge someone installed in the truck with an 1/8" plug and enough plastic(?) hose to reach the front of the block, though I'd rather not string it out so far. Is there an easy place to plumb that into the block? Somewhere on the back?

You must be registered for see images attach


And this is the temp sensor, I get that. I think my connector might be on that burned up harness...

You must be registered for see images attach


Also what the heck is this thing on my drivers fender well? It has a slide cable on it that makes me think it was once actuated by the throttle?

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
That last pic is for cruise control. that thing in your hand should attatch to the carb and is for the tranny( i may be wrong here)
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,034
Reaction score
25,602
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Heres mine. Cruise control transducer. Does the same thing except yours looks to be missing the vac lines.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Oh! Sweet! The slider in my hand in the pic is actually coming from the cruise control unit. I assume it's what regulates the throttle. The trans slider is loose on the passenger side somewhere right now.

And thanks a million for the fast responses, pictures, and identification! Redoing the vac lines is something I'll be procrastinating 'til the end lol.

Bad news: My wiring diagrams seem inaccurate. The random splices and twisted wires under tape don't do me any favors either... You guys answer faster than I can figure this stuff out on my own so here goes the "help me ID this thing" portion of this thread:

These come from the harness directly behind the block and exit near the distributor. One wire is larger and tan and the other is green.

You must be registered for see images attach


View 2

You must be registered for see images attach


The green wire was haphazardly connected to this. Looks great, doesn't it?

You must be registered for see images attach


There's another harness towards the driver side of the engine bay with a dark green and a light green wire. Not sure what they're for.

You must be registered for see images attach


View 2

You must be registered for see images attach
 

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
There's these guys too...

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,034
Reaction score
25,602
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Oh! Sweet! The slider in my hand in the pic is actually coming from the cruise control unit. I assume it's what regulates the throttle. The trans slider is loose on the passenger side somewhere right now.

And thanks a million for the fast responses, pictures, and identification! Redoing the vac lines is something I'll be procrastinating 'til the end lol.

Bad news: My wiring diagrams seem inaccurate. The random splices and twisted wires under tape don't do me any favors either... You guys answer faster than I can figure this stuff out on my own so here goes the "help me ID this thing" portion of this thread:

These come from the harness directly behind the block and exit near the distributor. One wire is larger and tan and the other is green.

You must be registered for see images attach


View 2

You must be registered for see images attach


The green wire was haphazardly connected to this. Looks great, doesn't it?

You must be registered for see images attach


There's another harness towards the driver side of the engine bay with a dark green and a light green wire. Not sure what they're for.

You must be registered for see images attach


View 2

You must be registered for see images attach
Ok the last 2 are alternator, middle one that has the broken housing is temp sensor and im gunna take an educated guess in saying the first goes to your distributor power. Not sure as mine is red
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,034
Reaction score
25,602
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
There's these guys too...

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
These appear to be alternator but idk what is spliced in...
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,034
Reaction score
25,602
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
I also keep forgetting your working on a big block and im not super familiar with them. More experienced guys on bbc are in here. I know @Honky Kong jr is pretty experienced in bbc
 

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
I also keep forgetting your working on a big block and im not super familiar with them. More experienced guys on bbc are in here. I know @Honky Kong jr is pretty experienced in bbc

Yeah but this is otherwise a 305/TH350 stocker truck that someone slapped a 350 into and now I slapped a 454 into. The remaining unmolested wires colors, connectors, and placement should be sbc.

Ok the last 2 are alternator, middle one that has the broken housing is temp sensor and im gunna take an educated guess in saying the first goes to your distributor power. Not sure as mine is red

These appear to be alternator but idk what is spliced in...

Just ID'ing the temp sensor feels like a huge step forward for me so thank you x1000 for that. It will help in making some sense of the wiring diagrams vs what I see in the truck too. 'Cause once I know what goes where it's game on again lol.

First definitely seems possible. The last two sets of photos are actually of different sub-harnesses. They have very similar two prong connectors on them.

I feel like such a goof because I build and repair my own tube amps but I'm sitting here scratching my head because of a dozen unfamiliar connections in an engine bay.

Does tagging @Honkey Kong Jr like you did work or should I shoot a message?

Edit: diagram says tan is oil pressure sensor. It also shows it on the back of the block which makes sense given how short the wire is.

Alternator hooks up to clear plug. Splice is still a mystery.

You must be registered for see images attach


Black plug, ground wire, and other wire/plug that appear to come from the blower mower area are still a mystery.

Distributor does not yet have power.

You must be registered for see images attach


Oh and my dumb ass can’t fit my breaker bar in to turn over the crank. I need to pull the rad or the water pump-the fan is in the way and the fit is too tight to add more extension without removing parts. Ugh!

Is there a “smaller” alternator bracket that doesn’t have the mounts for what I assume to be A/C? Cause I want to just buy new PS and alternator brackets somewhere and stop goofing with it. The bracket I have is in the way of the air cleaner breather.
 
Last edited:

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,034
Reaction score
25,602
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Yeah but this is otherwise a 305/TH350 stocker truck that someone slapped a 350 into and now I slapped a 454 into. The remaining unmolested wires colors, connectors, and placement should be sbc.





Just ID'ing the temp sensor feels like a huge step forward for me so thank you x1000 for that. It will help in making some sense of the wiring diagrams vs what I see in the truck too. 'Cause once I know what goes where it's game on again lol.

First definitely seems possible. The last two sets of photos are actually of different sub-harnesses. They have very similar two prong connectors on them.

I feel like such a goof because I build and repair my own tube amps but I'm sitting here scratching my head because of a dozen unfamiliar connections in an engine bay.

Does tagging @Honkey Kong Jr like you did work or should I shoot a message?

Edit: diagram says tan is oil pressure sensor. It also shows it on the back of the block which makes sense given how short the wire is.

Alternator hooks up to clear plug. Splice is still a mystery.

You must be registered for see images attach


Black plug, ground wire, and other wire/plug that appear to come from the blower mower area are still a mystery.

Distributor does not yet have power.

You must be registered for see images attach


Oh and my dumb ass can’t fit my breaker bar in to turn over the crank. I need to pull the rad or the water pump-the fan is in the way and the fit is too tight to add more extension without removing parts. Ugh!

Is there a “smaller” alternator bracket that doesn’t have the mounts for what I assume to be A/C? Cause I want to just buy new PS and alternator brackets somewhere and stop goofing with it. The bracket I have is in the way of the air cleaner breather.
Tagging them in a post does give them a notification but if hes not on to see it well.....
 

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Made some more forward progress tonight.

It started out with fighting the trans cooler lines. The replacements worked but were nowhere near as correct in their bend angles and placement.The electric fuel pump and old rubber fuel hose are gone. I ran fresh rubber line for the mechanical fuel pump. Driver side header is installed and I now have correct hardware to finish up the basic electrical “does it work” test.

It’s getting there. Battery, vacuum lines, plug wires, passenger header, starter wiring, throttle cable, distributor power, oil fill, oil sensor, tc bolts, trans fluid fill, coolant fill and hopefully I can see if it makes noise. But I may as wait for the brackets to install my ps pump and alternator.

$1950 budget
+$50 sold old block
-$750 engine
-$500 truck
-$68 gasket sets
-$168 headers
-$34 plug wires
-$98 ATF, oil, coolant
-$8 thermostat and gasket
-$30 flex plate
-$9 carb gasket
-$72 trans cooler lines
-$35 fuel line
-$10 electrical connectors/hardware
-$69 silly flashy ps/alt mount

=$149 left! Almost out of budget!
 
Last edited:

DirtyDYT

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2018
Posts
158
Reaction score
84
Location
Ohio
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
‘79
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Pulled the front end out of my buddy’s ‘93 F150 4x4 tonight in what started out as a strut tower replacement and has turned into a full front end rehab.

Got little done on my truck besides removing the stock fan. Why? I decided to go electric right at the last minute. Tomorrow will be junk yard hopping for the macgyvered fan and oil cooler setups. I’ve read 95-98 windstar is a bolt on perfect sized dual electric fan. Anything else I should watch out for? I’m sure I’ll find something that will work.

There’s also a local antique truck show tomorrow at Young’s Dairy. I’ve been told they normally have 100+ trucks. I’d really like to work that into my plans somehow. If the rest of the parts arrive in time and everything goes smoothly I may be able to run it too!!!
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,629
Reaction score
28,896
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Hey, I've been to Young's Dairy before. I'm only about 45 minutes from there. What times the show?
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,420
Posts
957,351
Members
36,767
Latest member
kirktim
Top