Project: Agent Orange

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Tynee

See, you tried to start a new thread to run and hide from me, knowing I only log on when I see an update from you or Jim, but I caught up to you.

Progress looks good. Can't wait to see more of it.

Yeah, we were taking bets about when you'd find us again...



Engine/tranny mock up cause my compressor busted, so further body work was out.

Seems to sit pretty far back...dunno why exactly.

The other thing is that the 700r is supposed to be 3"s longer, yet it lands right on the stock cross member.

Maybe I have the DIY cross member in the wrong frame holes, doubt it but it's for sure getting moved forward eitherway.

[Big J]

Looks great Kurt. Those valve covers are close. Is that why your moving it forward?

[Chevyman63]

Looks good Kurt and I really like those valve covers!

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Big J

Looks great Kurt. Those valve covers are close. Is that why your moving it forward?

Surprisingly close...any ideas why?

I went with the DIY cross member in the first place to have the ability to move the engine forward "if needed" to accomodate the 700r but never expected it to sit where it is now in being it's in the stock frame location.

[Big J]

[QUOTE=vtblazer;3621818]Surprisingly close...any ideas why?
QUOTE]

I don't know. If ya remember I had the same problem. I had the Edelbrock Elite tall valve covers on mine. My tub was a 1/8th" from bolting up because of the valve covers hitting the firewall.

[Thealien]

I'm thinking of using that same crossmember in my swap. Seems like a decent piece. Whats your opinion?

Is there a coupler/adapter that would go on the transmission that bolts to the crossmember like the 205?

[Thealien]

Looking at your picture and the DIY website would flipping the crossmember 180 degrees move the engine forward a bit without going to the forward holes? Can't really tell if the crossmember favors one side or if it is centered in its mounting blocks?

[IGOR]

Yeah - Thealien is right I believe -

You need to flip your crossmember 180

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Thealien

I'm thinking of using that same crossmember in my swap. Seems like a decent piece. Whats your opinion?

Is there a coupler/adapter that would go on the transmission that bolts to the crossmember like the 205?

Originally Posted by Thealien

Looking at your picture and the DIY website would flipping the crossmember 180 degrees move the engine forward a bit without going to the forward holes? Can't really tell if the crossmember favors one side or if it is centered in its mounting blocks?

Originally Posted by IGOR

Yeah - Thealien is right I believe -

You need to flip your crossmember 180

Don't believe it's possable to flip it around, it has a taper to it that aligns with the frame rails.


I do like the cross member, really glad it cleared my oil pan too.

[jaros44sr]

Could be the tall valve covers, with factory valve covers, I have about 1 1/2" - 2" of clearance. If and or when you move the engine forward you will have to cut and flange(Jon's idea) the crossmember, since the frame tapers in at the front. If you flange it now, you will be able to drop the pan if needed in the future
Is the trans. at the right height?

Looks good

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Could be the tall valve covers, with factory valve covers, I have about 1 1/2" - 2" of clearance. If and or when you move the engine forward you will have to cut and flange(Jon's idea) the crossmember, since the frame tapers in at the front. If you flange it now, you will be able to drop the pan if needed in the future
Is the trans. at the right height?

Looks good

Don't believe I'll need to go to that extent of modification's to move it forward.

There's about a 1/2" till the inner mounts tough the frame wall, being I need to drill new holes in the frame anyway, that gives me a couple option's to work with.
#1) simply slide everything forward until the frame taper mandates I stop.
#2) flip the cross member around (which will net me about 1.5"s) and drill the new holes accordingly, would basically be stagered in the frame rails instead of inline.

[vtblazer]

241 T-case adaptor clears up the tranny mount issue, looks like it needs to land just about the 3"s further back.

Going from that alone, it seems the engine is in the correct or near to the correct location.

Anybody have a measurement from the rad support to the block?

Mine is currently sitting approx. 19/20 inches back.
Keeping in mind that it's not bolted down.

[AJs72K5]

You'll want to find one of these adapters. 700r4 to 208/241 tall adapter. Cleaner and it puts it right on the factory K5 crossmember.

[mdunn]

Put my new 383 in a few months ago. Stock valve covers were close to the firewall, tall valve covers for the roller rockers have the same clearance yours do. Was still able to get them on and off for the valve adjustments. Didn't like the clearance either, but couldn't bring my self to hitting the stock firewall either.

[Sacramento70]

Motor looks killer, how well would you say the lizard skin holds up. i know you haven't driven with it yet but has any of it started to Flake or peel. i was thinking of trying it out but figured id get your opinion first.

[vtblazer]

I'm getting this tall adaptor as AJ suggested, hopefully the seller ships asap.

Once I get the part, I'll install the 241, finish the drive train mock up and see where things really are.

If the valve covers are to close, I'll move the combo forward, if not, it stays.

After all the debate, I'm 99.9% sure the motor is in the correct location, it's just the tall covers making the difference, as has been mentioned.

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by mdunn

Put my new 383 in a few months ago. Stock valve covers were close to the firewall, tall valve covers for the roller rockers have the same clearance yours do. Was still able to get them on and off for the valve adjustments. Didn't like the clearance either, but couldn't bring my self to hitting the stock firewall either.

Do you post some pictures of your valve cover to firewall clearance. I'm going that route and would like to see what you ended up with.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by tjsblazer

Do you post some pictures of your valve cover to firewall clearance. I'm going that route and would like to see what you ended up with.

Sounds like a question that could be better addressed by sending the poster a pm as opposed to asking here in this thread.


Not picking, just trying to expediate an answer for ya.

[vtblazer]

Nothing huge to report other than finally getting the bed cleared out so I can continue on with the Lizard Skin liner & paint.

I was however pretty amazed (PO'd is closer to reality) about how much 'stuff' I had aquired over these last few months back there.

Pic for proof.

[lks dcvn]

I am amazed every time I go to look for something that I bought to do my projects and then I have to wonder what stash pile I put it in - usually I pick the wrong one first...

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

Sounds like a question that could be better addressed by sending the poster a pm as opposed to asking here in this thread.


Not picking, just trying to expediate an answer for ya.

Thankyou, still trying to figure out the best way to go about everything here. By the way, love the look you got with the lizard skin. Definitely going to consider that route now.

[Burt4x4]

Hey VT ~ Look on the other side of my buddy RB pulling the Ferd out...what do you see?? Your old Blue at Pismo! I'll have to see if I can find more of this trip...

Just thought I would share with you hahaha

[Wildstreak]

Do ya think using the taller adapter will cause any motor angle problems? I have a 700r4-np208 and dont really like the low adapter either but worry that swapping to the tall adapter might screw with the drive-line angles....

[AJs72K5]

Originally Posted by Wildstreak

Do ya think using the taller adapter will cause any motor angle problems? I have a 700r4-np208 and dont really like the low adapter either but worry that swapping to the tall adapter might screw with the drive-line angles....

No worries. I'm running the tall adapter with a 700/241 on the factory crossmember. The tall adapter with the factory crossmember and tranny mounts is roughly the same height as the short adapter with the spacer/mount on the crossmember VT had pictured previously. My front driveshaft is actually 2" longer than my rear. I'm running CVs front and rear now.

Bottom line, what the tall adapter gives you is the use of your factory crossmember(s) and tranny mounts.

[Wildstreak]

Thanks AJ
whats a good price to pay for one of these tall thin adapters? I found one but I just wanna make sure Im not goin to pay too much for it. I like this adapter more, it gives way more ground clearance I would think compared to the other crossmember style.