Well, after months of trying to find time to dial in my adapter.....I finally picked up my lasered version on Fri and took an hour or so to fiddle with it.
For those that don't know, I'm planning to swap an SHO 3.0/3.2 V6 into my '84 XR-7. I'm using a 5.0 bellhousing to allow for the better choice of clutches and flywheels. It's more of a long term project, but to avoid any folks calling I figured I have to make some headway once in a while.
Here's a couple pics. The adapter plate
SHO meet T-5
There's a gap between the bellhousing and the adapter because I need to mill a couple reliefs in the bell for a couple of the bolts that attach to the block. With some minor machine work on the bellhousing I'm actually going to have 3 bolts that go all the way through the bell/adapter to the block, so that makes me happy.
I was concerned initially about the starter clearance, but it appears that I'll be able to use one of the mini-starters and not have to mod the oil pan. I actually have one on the way (thanks ebay ...$27 + S&H for one :D ) I still might need to to clear the K-member, but I'll probably not be using a stock one anyway, but I'll be curious to see how it fits.
The next hurdle is the flywheel. For right now I'm going to mod a 157T 5.0 flywheel and change the crank mounting holes and have it zero-balanced. Of course I just missed a nice cheap one on the 'bay. SO now I'm on the look-out for a 5.0 flywheel and engine plate.
Just to help fordguy along...here's a poll on the representation of 80-88 Tbirds and Cougars. It's not concerned if you have an LS, XR-7, Fila, etc.... just the body type. Yes, these options and years only. Yes, it's segregatory and exclusive....but folks will get over it. It is a Fox site...and I don't care what else you have :p :D
Ok..most of you guys know I'm a weird when it comes to my cars, and so as not to disappoint here goes.
I'm going to be getting a set of Recaros recovered here for the '83 TBird and I'm REALLY wanting to try and get my hands on some fabric, or at least something close. I haven't been in to the upholstery shop yet as they are on the opposite side of town and it's hard to get there.
I really like these seats
but I'd rather have that pattern in more of a grey-scale, which I think I have seen. I have been scouring the net and not finding much. Kinda of an "era correct" thing.
Anyone have any resources and might know where I might be able to find some, or whether a similar design (even without the "RECARO" on it) is readiily available?
While I'm going over the cabin wiring in the '83, I remembered my window switch is pretty py (one mount broken off and the wiring itself is a but suspect. I'm looking for a good power window switch and about 4-6" of wire pigtail.
Also, I need a couple of the upper radiator brackets...I seem to have misplaced mine. I can use pretty much any Fox type(2.3, 3.8, 5.0) as my ele. fan is mounted differently than the stockers.
Well, I'm in the process if sorting out the MegaSquirt install in the Tbird and getting things located and whatnot, so in the process of sorting out the NEW wiring....I decided to nuke the extra wiring I'm not going to need. Namely this includes, power door locks, illuminated entry & power seats. Neither of the doors on the car are original and neither have the provisions for the illuminated entry and the door locks haven't worked in a while. Also, since I'm converting to non-power seats, I figured the extra wiring for those can go as well. I'm keeping power windows and mirrors. So it's been alot of unwrapping and tracing wires...also fun since the illuminated entry module is in the trunk I pretty much have the driver side done aside from rewrapping the wiring and I need to pull the extra junk out of the pass door.
Once I get my connectors and such for the sensors I can begin the new engine harness :hick:
I need the offset distance from the face of the rear of the crank to the back of the block.
To measure set a straightedge across the crank face (not over the pilot bushing, but the crank itself) and measure the distance to the rear face of the block (out at the edge where the bellhousing bolts up).
I picked up a 7.5 from a buddy to replace the 6.75 rear in the Z-7 and he had lost the axle c-clips and the little bolt/pin that holds the shaft in place inside the diff.
Anyone have a couple pare c-clips and this bolt laying around?
Well, something has snapped in my cranium....I've started the legwork to get the parts together for an Aussie X-flow-headed 200ci inline 6 turbo for the Tbird. This won't happen this year as I'm going to get the car on the road with the 2.3T for next season and enjoy it and get the other engine together and swap it in later.
The only way I would have considered even building a 200/250 I6 would be if I could get rid of the py US head/manifold abomination they have on them....and I have located a head, intake, etc for a decent price and I'm looking to get it sent my way in the next couple months.
It's pretty easy to mate the US 200/250 to the 78-87 Aussie aluminum crossflow OHV head.....some minor machine work, but nothing precision. I'd LOVE one of the Aussie OHC I-6's....but not on my budget :p.
I haven't decided on one or two turbos yet...and probably won't for a while. The weight isn't an issue as it will weigh the same or less than the 2.3T....The fun part is going to be building the exhaust manifiold/header :D Mating it to the T-5 will be easy too....I'll be doing that here soon in the Z-7...so the stuff will just transfer over (going to be doing the DP2.3T swap into it).
I think my 45K shortblock in the Z-7 should suffice as a donor Or I might just grab another block....but I'm not sure I have any more room in the garage for another engine (have 5 in there right now.....)
Anyway, this should be pefect for really setting the Tbird apart and giving it a nice smooth powerful powerplant.....it should be fun :D
Well, I was finally able to get the car out of the garage and the weather to coorperate so I can work on getting the cage in the car. The knee is better, but it's still not the most comfortable thing to crawl around this jungle gym... The main hoop and door bars I already had made from before, and the rear of the cage is what's being added and the whole lot will be welded in and painted body color. There's going to be the rear support bars (like in the pic), a lateral support between the rear shock towers and an "X" between the lot.....
Here is a shot of the engine bay as well....haven't had much time to fiddle with it, but I'm hoping to get the v-band welded on the DP this weekend so I can finish the turbo outlet.
I figured I have to make some headway once in a while.
Or I might just grab another block....but I'm not sure I have any more room in the garage for another engine (have 5 in there right now.....)
The main hoop and door bars I already had made from before, and the rear of the cage is what's being added and the whole lot will be welded in and painted body color. There's going to be the rear support bars (like in the pic), a lateral support between the rear shock towers and an "X" between the lot.....
