86 Conversion Van - Tow Rig, 1986 Chevy G20 Options

[dualdj1]

eh, what the hell. It's an upcoming project so figure I'll start a thread.

Parted out a 92 GMC Yukon 4x4. Engine is on the stand in the garage. It'll be getting refreshed, torque cam, new timing chain, possibly roller rockers (if money allows), rings, bearings, and basic head porting. Have a set of large port steel heads from my boat that i sold, that may go on if they have bigger runners/valve than the ones on this engine. Just going for a torque monster for hauling whatever, and getting decent mileage when not hauling.

The "project" part of this, is that I'm converting the van to throttle body injection from carb. Have all of the wiring and tbi stuff from the 92. After I get the engine pulled down and see what it needs, then will start on stripping down the wiring harness to make an engine only harness. I plan to do as I did with the stang and end up with only 6 wires that need connected back to the 86 harness: Battery, Ignition, Tach, Oil Pres, Water temp, and fuel pump power. I also have an engine break in stand available, so once rebuilt, I can test and verify the harness is working properly.


In comparison to the Mustang project, I really hate GM. Ford has a disconnect for the engine harness, so all engine related wiring is self contained. GM includes everything in one mondo harness, including washer motor, wipers, etc etc. But haven't had a good electrical project to work on in a while, so figured what the hell.

Also the van will get long tube headers (pulled from the yukon), possibly a stronger axle (6 lug from the yukon), and electric fuel pump upgrade. Will post some pics as I get going.

Thanks to Patterson for use of his engine crane!

[dualdj1]

Need to get some pictures here at some point.

The van project is mostly complete. Borrowed Patterson's engine crane, dropped in the engine and trans myself (with some careful rigging, trans had to be hoisted up with some chains). Once that was in, installed a new electric fuel pump (14-16psi for a diesel, works good for TBI) by the fuel tank, had to cut/remake some lines, buy a few new lines from TB to filter and return lines. Also put a new pre and post pump filter on. Finished all the electrical, cut a hole for the ECU harness and get it into the cabin, upgraded to a 4 wire O2 sensor.

Remaining items:
-- modify air cleaner to clear trans fill tube
-- mount dipstick tube
-- Exhaust - Only one of the 2 headers I have fits. So currently have a header on drivers side, and manifold on passenger side, lol. muffler on drivers side, but still need to hook up passenger side piping and muffler. Gotta fab up some brackets/pipes.
-- Solder in Diagnostics Harness, and hook up the laptop for some datalogging.
-- Hook up Canister Purge system.

Other than that, pretty much a done deal. Got it fired up right before it started getting cold, and got the cam broke in. Still would like to run it in a little more again next time it's a little warmer. Pretty much on hold otherwise, as I'm waiting to get license and insurance back on it until I finish up the little things and make it driveable.