1956 GMC - engine swap #1

I started this project a couple years ago and got discouraged when the engine developed a bad knock. It’s time to swap the engine and get it on the road. #1956GMC #GMCTrucks

[@clabretal12]

love this video mike!

[@mikeb6431]

You're so good at these videos, you could make digging a hole entertaining!

[@MiniBikeMike]

🤣🤣

[@donlowe9125]

Good job

[@MiniBikeMike]

Thanks!

[@charlesbroussard9289]

cool loking truck i learned how to drive in one just like that hahah

[@socal_c10]

Good thing is you’ll be able to keep the same heads on the Vortec engine your swapping in. Since that other SBC had same style port heads you can use your old exhaust manifolds. Nice work! The later SBC from 89-98 were called Vortec Small Blocks. Then came the LS Vortec’s in 99-2014

[@coreyshort9461]

You're spoiled with that overhead crane and I must say I'm a little jealous....🙂

[@MiniBikeMike]

The old chain fall hoist works ok, not great. I’ve been thinking of switching to an electric cable hoist.

[@JnP-Restorations]

Yes it’s a 400 turbo. Pans look like my state of illinois. It’s also the deep pan version usually used on 3/4-1ton trucks. The casting numbers on the rear drivers side of the block, right behind the head will pretty much give you the engine size. You can just google the numbers. A rebuildable sbc core is usually pretty easy to sell unless it’s a 305 or 307.

[@geoffreyjones2000]

Yes, a turbo 400, sir, but looks like a late 70's 305 engine

[@MiniBikeMike]

Thanks. Could be on the engine, I’m just going off what I was told……and I’m definitely unfamiliar with anything that has more than one piston. Hahaha

[@JnP-Restorations]

After watching the video I only see 2 freeze plugs on the side of the block. That would be a 400 small block. Very sought after core. 4 bolt main would be ever more rare.

[@notagain8661]

Way more work then a CT70 Mike! 😁

[@MiniBikeMike]

You got that right!!! Hopefully, it will be a good runner when all this work is done!

[@stuartappleton4178]

Good to see you working on the old truck again. I had wondered if you would do more videos on it. Really thought you would have used the overhead hoist to pull the engine. Looking forward to more on this.

[@MiniBikeMike]

That old chain fall doesn’t have much capacity. Anything over a couple hundred pounds and it’s a bitch to pull that chain. I really want to swap to an electric cable hoist at some point.

[@mikeb6431]

@@MiniBikeMike 😂

[@cainbeeping8480]

Kinda sketchy LOL. Glad nothing bad happened.

[@MiniBikeMike]

I had it under control the entire time. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@slideoff1]

send the radiator to a radiator shop and make sure it has a good flow, water and air. no good radiator = expensive...

[@MiniBikeMike]

It worked great with the other engine, no overheating issues. I’ll wait until it springs a leak then get an aluminum replacement.

[@norcal8718]

I'm not trying to tell you how to do what you're doing but I have to ask, why don't you have the cherry picker all the way up to the front bumper? Look at all that space, no wonder you had to modify it you're not using it right, you also need to shorten the length of the chain from the picker to the top of the engine so you don't have to lift it so high!!! Love your videos though 👍🏻

[@MiniBikeMike]

I’ll try to give you the shortest answer possible, but apologize in advance, if this gets wordy and boring.
In its stock form, with the telescoping arm fully extended and the stock chain hanging from the end, the lift cylinder hit the bumper before the chain hook was directly above the engine. I was afraid that if if started pulling the engine, the engine would swing forward to center under the chain and then slam into the radiator.
So, I decided to extend the arm. Unfortunately, they make these lifts with oddball size tube and nothing on my shelf would slide into the main frame of the lift, so I used a larger square that slide over the telescoping piece. I didn’t want to ruin the piece I had by cutting it shorter, so I used the length I found, slid it over the telescoping tube until it hit the main frame and welded it in place (I’ll have to cut it loose later). Because I didn’t want to shorten the tube I added, I put the chain at the end. I thought about sliding the chain closer to the lift, but then the excess tube would hit the top of the firewall and prevent me from lowering the lift and I needed all the movement I could get. The chain couldn’t be shortened because the lift was as far down as it could go and almost resting on top of the radiator.
So, it was all done the way I did it because I didn’t want to shorten the tube I added.

[@gmyrick56]

looks like a turbo 400.

[@MiniBikeMike]

Thanks. That’s what I was told.