Preparing for first start

Summit raw cast iron manifolds. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

The Summit cast iron G9080 manifolds arrived.  I originally ordered Patriot cast iron manifolds which were very affordable since they were factory ceramic coated, but they were on back-order with indefinite time frame on arrival.  I painted these raw manifolds with VHT Flameproof primer and paint, then tried to cure them in a self-made grille/oven with heat gun.  That was a waste of time since I could not regulate the heat.  Later after install and start, I’ll attempt to cure them on the running engine.

Curing VHT paint on Summit cast iron manifolds. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

 

Upper radiator hose mock up. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

Mock up of the upper radiator hose was next.  I used a combination of Dayco 70155 curved radiator hose at the radiator and the 2004 OEM truck hose Gates 22436 to the water pump.  Cutting appropriately and splicing with a Gates 26391  1-3/4″ x 1-1/2″ reducer and an ICT Billet 1-1/2″ x1-1/4″ reducer.  This made for an awkward but very functional hose.

 

Spectre 4939 swivel water neck. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

The bottom radiator hose was a simple Dayco 81301 10″ flex hose with a Gates 26391 reducer to the swivel thermostat water neck.  The Spectre 4939 swivel water neck uses a standard OEM thermostat and seals with an OEM type o-ring.

Correction:  Is supposed to seal with OEM type o-ring.  It would not seal, so I made a housing gasket with Fel-Pro 3157 gasket making material.  This solved the fluid leaking problem.

More on radiator hoses here: https://www.66c10.com/2023/12/21/how-cool-is-this/

 

Connecting the modified factory wiring harness. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

Connecting all of the modified factory wiring harness was a simple job since there was room to fit into the engine bay to get up close and personal with everything.

 

 

 

 

HHR electric fan. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

After this, I still needed to install the electric fan wiring at at the fuse/relay block and run the wire inconspicuously over to the fan and the install the fan after I got myself out of the way.   It’s very difficult to get a photo of the installed fan, but it’s in there.

 

 

 

Even with all of the room in this engine bay, getting the Ebay special Silverado “Cold-air”  filter and intake installed was a tight fit.

Tight fitting air filter and intake. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.
Silverado cold air intake from Ebay. Click to enlarge – use browser back button to return.

 

Next we shall go into the “first start” adventures…

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