WildTurkeycj8
07-07-2010, 11:39 PM
Okay, but gonna put it back in again! Just further back, this time.
I have been making some pretty good progress on the jeep this year, but one of the fears in the back of my mind was realized last night, as we installed the grill and radiator to mock things up and check clearances. I had already noticed that there seemed to be a lot of space between the firewall and rear of engine, and the transmission was way far forward in the stock floor transmission cut-out.
When we originally installed the motor and drivetrain, we put it too far forward. This was due to a couple of things, including not having a body on the frame to see how the drivetrain lined up, incorrectly installing one motor mount (it was explained to me that the LT1 has an extra stud on passenger side that most SBC do not have, and we accidently used that one for the motor mount), and mainly, due to inexperience as this is the first one that I have ever done.
Anyway, the whole drivetrain needs to be moved back about 4-5 inches or so. As it sits now, the intake tube is only about 1.5" from the radiator (no room for fan, not looking to go to pusher fan, and upper radiator hose would be almost undoable). Believe me, we tried to figure out any way to keep it the way it is, but this is the right thing to do. We plan to pull everything tomorrow night, then I'll have to cut off the motor mounts and we'll reinstall everything and reweld the mounts as soon as possible after that.
Sorry no pics...I've been a little lame about that.
But once this is done, I think the rest of the build will continue relatively smoothly and I hope to have her running sometime this year!!
I've been very fortunate that I have had some good help from a couple of the neighbors who stop by regularly (one is a mechanic by trade). I know I could also call on you guys if necessary, but it's been kind of a slow progression so I haven't had any build parties or anything.
Ok, later.
-Mike
I have been making some pretty good progress on the jeep this year, but one of the fears in the back of my mind was realized last night, as we installed the grill and radiator to mock things up and check clearances. I had already noticed that there seemed to be a lot of space between the firewall and rear of engine, and the transmission was way far forward in the stock floor transmission cut-out.
When we originally installed the motor and drivetrain, we put it too far forward. This was due to a couple of things, including not having a body on the frame to see how the drivetrain lined up, incorrectly installing one motor mount (it was explained to me that the LT1 has an extra stud on passenger side that most SBC do not have, and we accidently used that one for the motor mount), and mainly, due to inexperience as this is the first one that I have ever done.
Anyway, the whole drivetrain needs to be moved back about 4-5 inches or so. As it sits now, the intake tube is only about 1.5" from the radiator (no room for fan, not looking to go to pusher fan, and upper radiator hose would be almost undoable). Believe me, we tried to figure out any way to keep it the way it is, but this is the right thing to do. We plan to pull everything tomorrow night, then I'll have to cut off the motor mounts and we'll reinstall everything and reweld the mounts as soon as possible after that.
Sorry no pics...I've been a little lame about that.
But once this is done, I think the rest of the build will continue relatively smoothly and I hope to have her running sometime this year!!
I've been very fortunate that I have had some good help from a couple of the neighbors who stop by regularly (one is a mechanic by trade). I know I could also call on you guys if necessary, but it's been kind of a slow progression so I haven't had any build parties or anything.
Ok, later.
-Mike