RESET's V6 to DOHC Swap

[_95badbird]

hmmm, that cherry picker must be short, as mine has no problem reaching the engine on my bird.

the front bumper cover is pretty easy to remove though.

[RESET]

I thought it was a 2 ton hoist but apparently is only a 1 ton hoist. I am thinking the engine and trans weigh more than 500 lbs so I probably can't use the hoist with it extended to the 1/4 ton position anyway. Good news is, I was planning on replacing the bumper cover anyway. I just didn't plan on removing everything. That is going to add a few days to my schedule.

[v8_superbirdy]

Originally Posted by RESET

I thought it was a 2 ton hoist but apparently is only a 1 ton hoist. I am thinking the engine and trans weigh more than 500 lbs so I probably can't use the hoist with it extended to the 1/4 ton position anyway. Good news is, I was planning on replacing the bumper cover anyway. I just didn't plan on removing everything. That is going to add a few days to my schedule.

everything ends up that way nothing is as easy as it starts. always give your self extra time especially on big jobs as its always more then you think

[RESET]

Originally Posted by v8_superbirdy

everything ends up that way nothing is as easy as it starts. always give your self extra time especially on big jobs as its always more then you think

I am giving my self about 5 months to get the swap completed. I just don't want to get behind now and screw something up later because I am rushing to get back on schedule.

[v8_superbirdy]

Originally Posted by RESET

I am giving my self about 5 months to get the swap completed. I just don't want to get behind now and screw something up later because I am rushing to get back on schedule.

thats a decent ammount of time..i'm sure you have other stuff to do in those 5 months which i'm sure sucks. i know i could do a lot more mods to my car if i had the time

[RESET]

I have a big motivational factor for completing this, my girlfriend constantly reminding me about the Jeep Cherokee SBC swap that never got completed. Something about a carbed 350 just wasn't too appealing after the gas prices went thru the roof. I did have it mostly completed though. It only took me 5 months to complete one of the motor mounts. I had to build them from scratch. I still have the Jeep and it is living on as a parts car for my GF's Cherokee. I sold the drive train to help get the DOHC for this swap.

[v8_superbirdy]

nice

[RESET]

Took the whole front fascia off and I still can't quite reach.

It should be close enough though. I have a piece of plywood up against the AC heat exchanger to protect it from a swing back. I am going to try to remove the engine/trans tomorrow. I still don't know where you guys hook up your lift chains. I have a lift point bolted to the back of the passenger head. I can't find an empty hole on the front of the engine anywhere. I guess I could unbolt the alt and use one of those mount points. Is there somewhere better to lift these things from?

[SCTbird1994]

Looks like you'll need a bigger hoist for the Install. I usually go off the front and back of the heads with a load leveler if I'm pulling the engine / tranny together.

[RESET]

Yeah, I was thinking that gravity would be against me on the install. I was looking to get one of those leveler things for the install too. I would love to have it for removing the six but I think I will make due. If it looks like something is going to give, I will not proceed with the pull. I am not going to screw this up just because I was impatient. I can always move to the ECU and dash harness and wait for the weekend for the pull.

[tbirdguy]

that is the harbor freight hoist right? I always thought it looked a bit small..looks like its good for FWD stuff.

[RESET]

Originally Posted by tbirdguy

that is the harbor freight hoist right? I always thought it looked a bit small..looks like its good for FWD stuff.

Yup, my dad got it for me for C-mas a couple years back. I had no problem swinging the 350 into my Cherokee project. These birds just have too big of a beak.

[RESET]

Well, it is official. I am NOT going to be using the mark computer and engine wiring harness. I have spent the last two days going over the two EVTMs and have come to the inevitable conclusion that my time will be better spent cleaning up the engine bay and saving for the SOHC computer, wiring harness, BOC tune and switch to run the IMRCs. The systems of the two cars are just too different to make it economical to try to combine them. As I said before, I was trying to use the Mark stuff because I thought it would be cheaper. I still believe it can be done. However, the time involved would take away form the project.

So, anyone parting out a V8 want to get rid of their EEC and Engine Harness? Are there any other V8 Bird specific things that I need since I am starting with a V6? Could I really have upgraded to a SOHC 4.6 by just changing out the computer and engine/trans?

Just to squelch any "I told you so" comments. Yes, you did. And I hope you understand what I was trying to do. This was not a blind attempt to do something that everyone said would not work. I understood that it would have been easier. I just couldn't get it thru my thick skull that there were a whole slew of things that were completely different between the cars other than locations of components.

[Chris_Murder]

I've gotta admit that I was looking forward to the way you planned on doing the swap at first due to so few people doing it that way but I'm glad your powering through the swap and moving on even though it is more expensive.

[RESET]

At least doing it this way, there are people that will be able to answer questions when something goes wrong. I have to admit though, being able to say that I did it different was a big motivator in trying to make it happen.

[PCD]

Sean,

Don't like the way a "simple" project gets way our of hand?

My Buddy's 87 Cougar engine transplant went well after he took everything off the front to the Radiator support.

Just waiting my turn in his garage. (I know, I know, buying a junkyard 2000 Mustang V6 and dropping it in would have been cheaper and quicker.)

[RESET]

Nothing got out of hand here. Just some small changes in plan. Nothing that I can't handle though.

[RESET]

Small update. The car is still in the same position it was last time. I have not done anything physical for the swap since I changed my EEC plans. I am trying to get a hold of an EEC and wiring harness. I believe I have one coming from StanG's cougar that he is parting out. It is a 97 so everything should be kosher, right? I am getting the EEC, engine harness, overflow bottle with hoses and the hanger bracket for the passenger side muffler. When these get here I will start working again.

Quick question. Do you think my K-member can be repaired? I can bring it in to work and have it welded up, we build Ks and other automotive components, and then run it thru the paint line. Is this a good idea or should I still try to find one that isn't torn?

[PCD]

Maybe look at putting in a tubular K member. Search here will yield a few pictures of them. You'll save a few pounds and have room for headers.

[SCTbird1994]

Originally Posted by RESET

Quick question. Do you think my K-member can be repaired? I can bring it in to work and have it welded up, we build Ks and other automotive components, and then run it thru the paint line. Is this a good idea or should I still try to find one that isn't torn?

I would replace it if possible, but you can get away with welding as long as the car is perfectly aligned.

[RESET]

Originally Posted by PCD

Maybe look at putting in a tubular K member. Search here will yield a few pictures of them. You'll save a few pounds and have room for headers.

At this point, I don't plan on running headers. Also, from what I have read on here, the only tubular K made for these cars is junk. This is going to be a daily driver again when the swap is done and I live on a gravel road that routinely gets washboard ruts in it.

[Thomas]

You have a PM

BTW if you arent too far way I know a few things and could probably lend a hand.

[coggonobrien]

thomas, how you coming on the mighty stang?

[PCD]

Maybe we should have an engine swap and JMod party at Sean's? I'm only open at Christmas until I get vacation again in April.

[RESET]

I would be up for that if someone had a bigger hoist and a good k-member that they can bring along. I plan on getting back on this after Thanksgiving. I need to get the six out so I can start removing the front end pieces that I am going to get painted/replace.

I am near Marengo, not too far from Ames but still a bit of a trip.

[RESET]

I am trying to get an EEC, Harness and Overflow bottle from StanG. He is parting out a 97 Couger. I probably should have asked this before I told him that I wanted it but, will this EEC and Harness work for me?

[Thomas]

You would be much better off finding one from a 94-95. The harness from that range of years only needs a couple of sensors spliced.
-Thomas

[coolhandzep]

I believe that RCphoto guy (not his actual screenname) scrapped his dohc project and has tons of parts for sale.

[RESET]

Originally Posted by Thomas

You would be much better off finding one from a 94-95. The harness from that range of years only needs a couple of sensors spliced.
-Thomas

Crap, that figures. I hope StanG hasn't started removing it yet.

[RESET]

Originally Posted by coolhandzep

I believe that RCphoto guy (not his actual screenname) scrapped his dohc project and has tons of parts for sale.

I checked out his thread and it looks like the only harness he has is one for a mark. I guess I will have to hit the junk yards again.