Mopar Muscle Association UK

i couldn't wait 'til mockup friday when ashley's coming here to help so i decided to move the axle back 1/4", so welded the perches at that measurement. in my head i seem to remember it's 1/2" but i can always add a 1/4" plate between the spring hanger and chassis if it's not enough. so i now have 2 perches ready to fit
neil.

Nice bit of fab work

ScottyDave wrote: Mon Mar 29, 21 5:09 pm Nice bit of fab work

thanks, they're butch for sure. i've had stock perches fold at the front under power before so may still box them fully to the axle (belt and braces).
neil.

first day back on it and we did quite well i think. we removed the old rear axle and leaf springs, modded the explorer spring plates to take the mopar shocks and bolted the explorer axle in place with it's slot mags. last job was get it back on the deck and make a decision as to whether the stock front suspension will stay for this summer (at least) or to fit the straight tube now. it all hinged on how high the back sat and how much arch to tyre gap it had. luckily the tyres clear fine (it helped i'd rolled the arch lips previously) and it wasn't too high.
so for now the front end stays so we fitted the pcd adapters and the skinny front slot mags. i've got /6 to sb v8 conversion mounts here so tomorrow it looks like after i cut the tunnel for the manual trans' we'll be hanging the motor in there, woohoo!
here's some pics, i'm very happy
neil.

we had another good day today. while i repaired the k member butchery i'd carried out fitting the 383 ashley started polishing the slot mags . next i cut out the tunnel ready to fit the manual hump and added reinforcement to the inner wing where the z bar pivot goes as this car was auto before. we then pushed it outside to turn it round to fit the motor (taking pics while outside of course). lastly we bolted on the trans dapt mounts ready to fit the motor. at least we would have if they both fitted my 318. the drivers bracket appears to be for a 360 as i'd need spacers to bolt it to the 318. as luck would have it my box of bits included an original 318 driver's side mount, result. so the motor is now in there.
neil.

i keep forgetting to say, the 2 post lift and transmission jack are a godsend for this kind of work. even though it'll only get 4 foot off the ground due to my garage roof height it's so much better than laying on my back
neil.

I'd love that, I've only got a bog standard 1 car garage that you can't get anything in...except my motorbikes.

ScottyDave wrote: Sat Apr 03, 21 10:38 pm I'd love that, I've only got a bog standard 1 car garage that you can't get anything in...except my motorbikes.

yeah, my only other option was to dig a decent sized pit but i think i made the right choice for me. who knows i may even raise the centre section of roof one day to get more lift.
neil.

Good progress! Never been a fan of pits never deep enough for someone of my height, give me a lift every time.

That's looking great

Even on the temporary small rear wheels

Blue wrote: Sun Apr 04, 21 9:10 am Good progress! Never been a fan of pits never deep enough for someone of my height, give me a lift every time.

cheers blue, your old motor is finally in mate
neil.

Dom66 wrote: Sun Apr 04, 21 10:05 am That's looking great

Even on the temporary small rear wheels

yeah, once it looked like the back wasn't going to have to sit too high for tyre clearance we decided to keep the stock front end so i can use the car this year at least before swapping to the straight tube axle.
neil.

woohoo! i found the pedal box bushing kit and pedal rubbers i got from brewers for the manual pedal box. i can now get it sorted and fitted, another step closer
neil.

EPIC WORK LOVE IT NEVER STOP


















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i decided to hang the headers before fitting the flywheel, clutch, bellhousing and trans' as i'd have more room. i couldn't believe there'd be enough room on the drivers side so i swapped the thicker motor mount to that side. i then lifted the motor up on my transmission jack and removed the steering centre link which goes through the drivers side header then wiggled the headers into place, holding them there by shoving a small screwdriver into each end bolt hole. then i lowered the motor and it sat lop sided..... bugger! the offset of the studs on the mounts is greater on the thinner mount so they have to be fitted as per the instructions. so i removed them again and swapped them back but now the drivers side header sat on the power steering box, but this was easily fixed with 2 x 3/16" steel plates slotted so i could fit them either side of the mount. lowered again it now all clears, it's very close but there is room. once everything's bolted up i can dent them if i need to, fingers crossed i don't.
so a lot of mucking about for a simple job but with the whole job taking about 3 hours i've done worse.
neil.