4500 mockup begins-eng location ?

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by BigRed76

I'm not sure what the differences are between engine locations on 2wd & 4wd trucks, but my '71 is a 2wd factory small block truck and it has the same clearance between the HEI cap & firewall. So having your engine that far forward is such a bad thing considering mine is like that from factory.

I meant to say it is not such a bad thing.

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

Looks like the stock trans shifter will hit the dash.

I put the bench seat and shifter in yesterday to check for overall fit. It fits great! The angle on both axis' turned out to be spot on.


The throw on the shifter on the 4500 is quite short. Guessing 6 inches max at the knob. The 3 1/4 move fwd turned out to be perfect.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

I put the bench seat and shifter in yesterday to check for overall fit. It fits great! The angle on both axis' turned out to be spot on.


The throw on the shifter on the 4500 is quite short. Guessing 6 inches max at the knob. The 3 1/4 move fwd turned out to be perfect.

Sweet

[BigRed76]

So if you've got 3 inches of clearance between the HEI cap and firewall, and you moved the engine forward 3 1/4", that means the cap would've been hitting the firewall had you not moved everything forward

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by BigRed76

So if you've got 3 inches of clearance between the HEI cap and firewall, and you moved the engine forward 3 1/4", that means the cap would've been hitting the firewall had you not moved everything forward

I ran it before with the HEI and it didn't hit, but it was darn close. I did have to remove the cap to get the distributer in the in the hole. I really moved it fwd because I have the truck down to the frame and needed to adjust for the 4500 swap.

[jsavage977]

looks good! thanks for posting pictures so i can get some ideas for my project!

[SunSoaked]

More progress;

Got the trans x-member installed. I had to add a "spacer" (1 1/2 in) to the stock X member to get the trans height correct. Easy mod, using the factory 93 trans mount.

Also swapped the new 32 spline front output shaft on the NP 205. That snap ring was a SOB!

[Captainfab]

Any updates on your build?

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Any updates on your build?

Yes-But not good ones.

Thanks to our government and the sequestration I recently lost my job unexpectedly after 18 years. Needless to say, the truck project will be sitting idle as I try to provide an income to meet my bills and take care of the family. I know I'm not the only one so I'm not complaining. I'm just doing whatever it takes for now to survive. I'll keep off the political soapbox and hope that everybody understands.

I hope others in my situation the best of luck. Mike

[Captainfab]

Eighteen years at your job, and then they just let you go is just not right. Very sorry to hear this. I wish the best for you and your family.

[snj8198]

Good luck Mike

['63GENIII]

Hope everything gets back on track for you Mike. That's just not right.
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[DirtyLarry]

Ah, man! That is horrible Mike. So sorry to hear about that. Hang in there my friend and good luck with the search. The truck will always be there waiting for you once life gets back on track.

[shakedown96]

My cap touches the firewall. I Will be doing this same swap thanks for the measurements. Good luck
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[SunSoaked]

Well boys, things are looking up. I landed a new job today and am looking forward to getting back on the project although it will be slow going as the budget is long gone.

The good news is I have 95% of the parts I need already, just going to have to get creative to get it all together on the cheap. I missed this place and all the guys on here.

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Well boys, things are looking up. I landed a new job today and am looking forward to getting back on the project although it will be slow going as the budget is long gone.

The good news is I have 95% of the parts I need already, just going to have to get creative to get it all together on the cheap. I missed this place and all the guys on here.

Glad to hear things are turning around for you. And look forward to the progress with your project

[snj8198]

Welcome back Mike. Get the family and necessities covered then reward yourself with the continuation of your build.

[Captainfab]

Glad to hear you found a job. As snj8198 said, take care of the family first.

[sdwolff98]

Great to here Mike. WAs in the same boat until about two weeks ago picked up a nice paying job at a hospital up here!. Be getting back to my 64 gmc 3/4 build here quickly. Working on a few things on the fuel injection right now looking forward to your 4500 build. Since I am going to do that trans and a ranger overdrive in the 64

Sean

[SunSoaked]

Thanks guys.

[HeavyK20]

SunSoaked, Did you have to trim the ends of your engine cradle before you could move it all the way forward?

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by HeavyK20

SunSoaked, Did you have to trim the ends of your engine cradle before you could move it all the way forward?

No sir. However there is a slight taper in the existing bolt holes of the x member. The rear set of holes (rearward) are really close but require a little work with a file. (Assuming you move your x member forward the same amount I did). The front ones need drilled in the frame using the existing ones in the x member as a guide. Look close at the 2nd photo of the 1st post in this thread and you can see what I mean.

[Jaydenn]

Well I think the one, that i have may be from a car. Its way different. CTW the sifter comes up almost completely between the seat and my under dash ac. I was actual concerned, about that until i saw it in position.

[argonaut]

I'm so jealous of all you guys with overdrive. I just got my truck on the road and here I am reading your threads and planning my own! Darn you!
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[bp71k5]

Been gone a while, did this ever go anywhere?