Black Dog - 94' C1500 Vrtc 5.7 NV3500

I cut my teeth with the 93' in the background. I managed to T-bone a cavalier that pulled out at just the right moment in time. The frame is bent beyond what I would want to fix. I took the insurance cash and found this 94' with same paint scheme; I figured this was a sign, so I went for it. After a year it started having oil pressure issues so I parked it and tore it down. Now, seven years later, I'm replacing everything that is bolted, pressed, or riveted down. I'm shade tree mechanicing it except for I don't have a shade tree, but I do have air tools.

Belltech 4" drop, hanger brackets, the wrong leaf springs, brake shoes, drums, shocks, poly bushings, axle bearings, seals, brake hose, parking brake cables, and body mounts. I stopped before the pinion seal because the axles don't look so great where it rides on the bearing. I'll get a new diff after a while.

Up front: Quick ratio gear box, all steering linkage, jeep steering shaft, coil springs, Belltech drop spindles, shaved lower control arms, poly arm bushings, poly motor mounts, ball joints, shocks, brake calipers, rotors, bearings, races, seals, hoses, power booster, and master cylinder.

I'm wrestling the fuel pump, sending unit, and lines now. I only have a few hours on the clear weather weekends to mess with it, so everything that's been done so far took about a year. Engine and trans will be next. Any questions, comments, or advice, please pm me or call me out in a thread somewhere.

The only thing I had time to accomplish this weekend was getting the EP381 fuel pump into the 94' sending unit. I've had the sending unit for too long to return it and am too cheap, otherwise I would have bought the correct sender. I forgot to take a pic before cutting on it; but all it had was a tear drop pattern, no holes.

Fuel tank's interior was disgusting; oxidized, rusted, and rubber bits from sitting for so long. The existing pump's rubber had the consistency of melting gummy worms. So tank was replaced along with the pump and lines. I forgot to get the other neck hose and some wire loom; get it sowed up this week. Engine was just ordered moments ago, so the real fun starts next weekend.

Had to work on the house this wknd, so not much got done. Tied up loose ends on fuel lines and company, engine has arrived, and transmission is at the shop.

The engine and transmission met for the first time weekend before last. This last wknd got them prepped and put together.

Weather hasn't cooperated, I've been lazy and have also started working in a backwards motion.

Came up with a few parts of interest for anyone messing with portions of this combination. The piece on the left is a plug for the crankshaft sensor in the timing cover, found it at: https://www.eficonnection.com/home/...haft-sensor-plug-and-bolt-kit-billet-aluminum
The pieces on the right, I gave up looking for and accidentally found it last weekend, is the plastic washer and retainer for the clutch fork, found it at: https://www.allstategear.com/NV3500-GM-Pivot-Ball-Kit-p/ts290.htm
Also, I'm sure it's common knowledge for most of you (not for me, first time playing with "modern technology"), the plastic vortec intake manifold gaskets are, from what I hear, garbage. Felpro MS98000T is rubber coated metal and comes with one valve cover gasket. If you want both valve cover gaskets and some new manifold bolts use MIK98000T.

Here's the comparison of intake manifold gaskets; metal please.
Finally got to stab the make it go parts. Engine and transmission are almost in their happy home; still have to torque the trans mount and cross-member, if I find the specs.