[bear]

It's finally in the car on the new fabricated subframes. I've got some trimming to do on the wiper well and maybe on the foot well. It depends on the custom headers I need to run the twin oxy sensors and 3-stage EGR valve. This is just a trial fit to make sure everything bolts up, and they do. Phase IV integrating the engine into the car electrical and building a fuel system will be next. I've already forewarned my neighbors, as soon as the headers are installed and I get it running, it will be going to the local repair shop for custom 2 1/2 inch exhaust from headers to the back of the car. Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

Ron

 

[bear]

O.K. folks, here's some help, maybe for you. I sent the Phase II package to Gary last week. He has to massage it so it will work in "My Journal". There is a fairly comprehensive text, pics and drawings of how I made the subframes and engine blocks. Also how I screwed up on the first subframe. Gary is working on the package as time allows. Keep an eye out for it under Phase II in my journal. I'm working on the text and pics for Phase III, which is the trimming of the footwell and wiper well. As I said above I've got more trimming to do and when it's finished and working, I'll get in the journal also. HTH

Ron

 

[bear]

I think I read somewhere in this site that someone did a similar transplant and did a mod to the original subframe. I took the easier way out and made new subframes. I used 1" X 2" square tubing, 2" X 2" square tubing, 2 1/2" X 2 1/2" square tubing, and some 1/8" X 2" steel strap. It sounds like a lot but it isn't really. I bought a lot of the square tubing to build a pair of dollies to roll the engine/trannys around on. The actual subframes probably took about 4-5 feet of 1 X 2. and some short pieces of the other stuff. I am not using the stock hood, I got a Lenk Tuning hood from Gil at OGTS. I have hopes of using the two front openings in the hood for air intake to the engine. I sent Gary some updates to the Phase II package that will show how I made up the subframes. Hopefully it will be in My Journal soon. He is trying to have the drawings and pics inserted in the text as I originally wrote it. If it can't be done that way, I'll just have to split up the text and pics and you'll have to go back and forth between My Journal and My photos. A PIA, but it's better than not having anything to go by on this mod like Mike Pilkenton did originally. I just embellished and made a few changes to what he did, I think to simplify the installation. But Nathan Acree has a really good looking tranny subrame. So what I did may not be for everyone, it's just a reference.

Ron

 

[bear]

Phase II of the V-6/T-5 transplant shows and explains how I made up the engine/tranny subframes and engine mounts. Also how I screwed up and had pit falls along the way and had to redo a lot of what I had done initially. Enjoy.

Ron

 

[bear]

Actually, the hardest part of the whole mess was cutting the square tubing and steel plate with a hacksaw. I had enough (sawdust) left over to melt down and have a 3" steel ball. I planned to do this tutorial from the start. Mike Pilkenton's conversion tutorial was good and I didn't have any problem deciding to do this project after I read his documents. I went with a different approach on the subframes because I'm not too wild about drilling holes in structual members. His worked and worked well. I just decided to minimize the hole drilling thing and use what was already there, along with having a little more step by step, and when I had problems, talk about them. Phase III is in the works right now, cutting the footwell and wiper well to make room for the engine and exhaust. It looks like I may have to go with the Fiero type exhaust going to the front of the engine, then down and back. Similar to the flathead Fords of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Yes, I remember them well, used to work on them in my uncle's gas station as a teen. I digress, again, Glad to be able to help any one with this mod. It's been a long time in getting this far but it's been a blast too.

Ron