1968

[sduckworth13]

George, do you already have the driveshaft attached. How did the engine get so far foward? You have made some good progress, but I'm thinking that moving the engine that far forward i'snt a good idea. I think your going to have alot of fitment issue from the fan to the driveshaft.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

George, do you already have the driveshaft attached. How did the engine get so far foward? You have made some good progress, but I'm thinking that moving the engine that far forward i'snt a good idea. I think your going to have alot of fitment issue from the fan to the driveshaft.

Hes got the engine in the factory V8 position.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

George, do you already have the driveshaft attached. How did the engine get so far foward? You have made some good progress, but I'm thinking that moving the engine that far forward i'snt a good idea. I think your going to have alot of fitment issue from the fan to the driveshaft.

The perches are in the right place. The forward holes is where the small block V8 should fit. The fan works good also I dry fitted the fan and it is in tolerance of where it will work.

The drive shaft is another issue. but if I move it back the 1 1/2 inches I think it also might work.

[gdavis]

Guys: I was thinking today as I was resting. How would it work If I movied the motor back about 1 1/2 inches. Here is a picture of where the perches are now. The perches still look like they are setting about 1 1/2 inches to far forward. They are not resting fully on the cross member. So If I movied them half the distance back wouldn't that make the perches rest fully on the cross member.

[gdavis]

Here is where I think I might move them. I have cut a circle out of a piece of white paper and placed it on the new spot. Guys am I over thinking this or what? I not looking for something to do but, I just don't like the big distance I have now on the firewall.

[gdavis]

When I move the motor back it might even work with my drive shaft.

[sduckworth13]

George, your ok. You haven't cut anything or fabricated anything to make it sit that way so thats a good thing. I'd put the driveshaft and fan on and hook up the engine hoist and move the engine back to happy medium.

[gdavis]

That is what I am going to do tomorrow. I sat here and thought it over and I am moving it back 1 1/2 inches. Don't even have to use the hoist to do this. Just remove the bolts and slide it back 1 1/2 inches. Drill new holes but, that is a easy thing. I'll post the pictures on the motor back tomorrow.

[Xeen]

Keep in mind the farther back towards the firewall you go the wider the frame rails get so you can only go so far towards the firewall before the V8 perches wont work anymore because it will pull the motor mounts away from the block, also if you go too far back it will change the angle at which the engine and transmission are sitting which could potentially cause a problem with the driveshaft.
Personally I would leave it where it is, it's a truck not a sports car, and on top of that you aren't building this thing for autocross anyway.
If it aint broke don't fix it.
As far as the driveshaft goes you have a I6 driveshaft which is why it isn't long enough, just get the v8 version out of another truck or get one out of a land whale and have it cut down.

[gdavis]

Well I movied the motor back that 1 1/2 and now I like the way it sets in the truck. I had to drill new holes but that was easy. Just lifted one side at a time and used my cordless drill with a short bit and the rest is history.

[Xeen]

It looks like it worked out well for you.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Xeen

It looks like it worked out well for you.

well buddy I had to go back to the front holes. Years ago I was riding with a few friends on a road trip to the North Dokota, better known as Sturgis. We rode our Harleys out there. Well there was a guy that always worked on his bike. His was always breaking down. He was always trying to fix something that he thought would work better. His was also the newest bike. The short stort is, Like you said if it isn't broken don't fix it. That is why I moved the motor back to the front holes. The move back 1 1/2 inches was not worth the trouble. The difference in the alignment issues.

[gdavis]

I ordered these parts

front glass weather stripping 35.00
eng switch plate free
rear lights with harness free
new light brackets for the tail lights Alunium 20.00
trailing arms bushings set
tracking arm bushings set
complete set of sway bar bushings setall three for 39.00 didn't need these but they can with the set.
2 wing chrome windows for 100.00

[sduckworth13]

Good job George

[Mustard72]

How does the driveshaft work now? Hopefully you've found a happy medium for your combo. Just keep the bulls out of the engine bay, as they will probably get clogged between the back of the engine and the firewall.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

How does the driveshaft work now? Hopefully you've found a happy medium for your combo. Just keep the bulls out of the engine bay, as they will probably get clogged between the back of the engine and the firewall.

Well after all the moving the motor back and forth, I still ran into the orignal problem. The distubtor would not fit into the hole. So I put it back in the V-8 holes. The drive shaft still would not work. So I got another shaft today.
Everytime I got close to the motor with wrenches it started to screem. No do not move me. So this is where it is going to stay.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Good job George

thanks and I am finished with moving to motor back and forth. It is now where it is going to live. The rent is paid.

[Low Elco]

Looking Great, George!
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[gdavis]

Well, after all the moving the motor back and forth. When I drilled new holes in the frame and I liked the way it looked. I ran into the orignal problem. The distubtor would not clear the fire wall. So, I spent the time today putting it back to where the distubtor would go in the hole. Back in the front holes for the V-8 perches. I know what you guys are thinking. I should have let it alone. And you are right. But this old man is hard headed. So now I can start runing towards to finish line. Or in my case walking.

[sduckworth13]

That's good to hear, what driveshaft did you use or are you going to have to have one cut down.
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[gdavis]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

That's good to hear, what driveshaft did you use or are you going to have to have one cut down.
Posted via Mobile Device

A friend came over today and he needed a 3 speed standard transmission. So we just swaped parts. It came out of a v-8 truck. I don't know if it is going to have to be shorten or not. I will know tomorrow.

[Xeen]

I don't mean to but I'm sitting here chuckling and shaking my head.
It's all good though now you can move forward and get the driveshaft installed.
Then you can plumb the fuel lines, instal the wiring harness, and get it down to the muffler shop.
You are on the home stretch George.

[~Whitey~]

It's all looking good. I can't wait to get to the point you're at. Keep it up I'm inspired!!
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[Mustard72]

Pretty cool how things like driveshafts just pop into your lap sometimes, isn't it? Hopefully I can remember your learnings here when I put my 350 onto the frame in the near future.

Looking good, George. Do you have the brakes all installed and bled already, too? I've been grabbing one of my kids for the pedal pushing duties lately when I do brakes.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

Pretty cool how things like driveshafts just pop into your lap sometimes, isn't it? Hopefully I can remember your learnings here when I put my 350 onto the frame in the near future.

Looking good, George. Do you have the brakes all installed and bled already, too? I've been grabbing one of my kids for the pedal pushing duties lately when I do brakes.

Yes the brakes are already installed. I still have to run my rear brake lines. The front rubber lines. waiting for parts. Later I will be going over to pick up the drive shaft. I hope it fits and don't need to be shorten. But time will tell.
He needed the transmission and I needed the drive shaft.