1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Engine Installation.

Discussion in 'Jeep Truck and FC Tech' started by colojeepguy, Jan 1, 2021.

  1. Jan 1, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,088
    We've reached the point in my son's Willys pickup project where we're ready to install the engine (Ford 302). This is somewhat new territory for me-I've swapped engines many times, but it was always something that could be done with off the shelf parts (I.E. swapping a 6 cyl for a V8 in a Ford pickup using the factory motor mounts). We got the Novak motor mount kit for putting a Ford V8 into a Jeep & it has a lot of adjustability both up/down and left/right. Any tips, thoughts, ideas, regarding engine positioning?

    The new engine-
    20210101_055654.jpg
    It's new home-
    20210101_055738.jpg
    The mounts-
    20210101_055619.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    melvinm likes this.
  2. Jan 1, 2021
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    What about adding the trans and T-case and drop it in. Bolt the cross member up and it should be close to where it needs to be. You can adjust up and down to get the driveshaft angle right and side to side should already be close.
     
  3. Jan 1, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,088
    We're using the Ford trans and tcase also, so the crossmember is going to have to be custom made. But position of the trans is one of my concerns as well.
     
  4. Jan 1, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,581
    When you figure out the 'secret trick'...you can help with mine. I think it's just going to be a lot of trial and error and finding the right compromise of the position of everything. I am hoping to have the engine and transmission and TC all put together and move it around as one unit on the hoist- may need a load leveler or homemade adjustable strap set-up to hold the back end up. Novak says you'll know it when you find it....ha ha...
     
    colojeepguy likes this.
  5. Jan 1, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,596
    With a Ford, be careful with oil pan to front diff clearance.
     
  6. Jan 1, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
    Joined:
    May 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,178
    Get it as low, and as far back as you can safely do it. I'd personally run a truck pan, with the rear sump, but that's just me.
     
    45es and Fireball like this.
  7. Jan 1, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,596
    Yep, truck or Fox body oil pan helps a lot.
     
  8. Jan 1, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
    Joined:
    May 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,178
    Aye, I run a fox-body pan on my '41 Ford, and notched the crossmember to get it down even lower.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  9. Jan 1, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,088
    The engine came out of a 4x4 F150, it has a rear sump pan.
     
    SFaulken likes this.
  10. Jan 1, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
    Joined:
    May 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,178
    You're in good shape there then, you shouldn't have to wrangle your way around the front axle hitting anything too much.
     
  11. Jan 2, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,165
    Keep the nose of the engine a few degrees high. Most intake manifolds have the carb base angled to make the carb level when the nose is elevated a few degrees.
    Level up the chassis (straight sections under the cab) and then set the engine/trans combo into the engine bay. I like to keep the engine as far rearward as practical against the firewall, and shift it side-to-side to accommodate exhaust manifolds, steering shafts, front driveshaft, ect to where everything seems to be happy (you will know it when you find it!) I use a short level on the intake carb flange both side to side, and front to back. I sometimes tilt the nose another degree or two higher.
    I disagree with post #6 with "as low" as you can fit it. Keep it as high as practical to both clear the front axle and keep the pan from damage, but also to help center the fan with the radiator. I see too many engine swaps where the center of the water pump is 2/3 to 3/4 the way below center of the radiator.
    I often use cribbing/shimming under the oil pan, and the same under the tailshaft of the trans/TC to get everything just how I like it before I start mocking the engine mounts and rear crossmember in place. Just remember, the suspension will settle a bit once its carrying the weight of the drivetrain.
    -Donny
     
  12. Jan 2, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
    Joined:
    May 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,178
    Low is subjective. Keeping the center of gravity low is a good thing. If you're running electric fans, the water pump alignment for the fan isn't relevant. As long as things are clear, and you're not worried about banging the oil pan against things, low as safely possible is going to give you the best driving characteristics and center of gravity, especially if you've got any suspension lift on it.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  13. Jan 2, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    :watch:

    Which transmission?

    The later J-trucks were originally designed for the OHC 230 inline 6. Their engine compartments are shaped to accommodate the long inline engine. Don't know if it's so much the case for the Utility truck, since it was originally supplied with a (F?) 134.

    Jeep put a V8 in the J-trucks by leaving the front of the engine in the same place as the 6, thereby avoiding firewall interference with the shorter overall V8. They made up the difference with a long input shaft and adapter that left the manual transmissions in the same location wrt the driver and cabin. With an automatic, the transmission is both longer and the shifter does not come up through the floor, so the automatics were moved forward some along with the transfer case, compared to the manual transmission equipped trucks.

    Thus it might matter if you are planning to run an automatic or manual transmission, wrt locating the engine in the bay.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2021
  14. Jan 4, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,088
    This truck is getting the whole drivetrain from a 86 F150. 302, NP435, BW 1356 Tcase, 8.8 rear axle. I'm hoping that I can do this without butchering the firewall.
     
  15. Jan 4, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,453
    Yep!! It's even a concern with other engines. Certainly more important than just engine height. With a good fan shroud, even a mechanical fan will work just fine being well offset from the center of the radiator. I still don't like electric fans, more efficient or not.

    The positioning will be trial and error and I would jury rig a temporary cross member. You need to be able to jack the suspension both ways to check the front engine clearance before you actually weld in the mounts. Just tack them until you get it positioned where it needs to be.
     
    colojeepguy likes this.
  16. Jan 4, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    In the J-truck, with a V8, the NP435 stalk will come up under the dash. You can bend the stalk and make that work. Again, the Utility truck may be different in this respect.
     
    colojeepguy likes this.
  17. Jan 4, 2021
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    Messages:
    96
    The previous owner of my 59 CJ put the entire drive train from a 86 Cherokee in it, including the V6. He made his own motor mounts.
    Well the motor is a bit too far back. Bellhousing bolts are smacking the floor on the driver side. I hate to say it, but I'm thinking the
    best way to fix it is to pull the motor and trans and reposition everything. NorCal69 said I could easily go forward over an inch.
    So, it's on the list of things to do.

    Mad
     
  18. Jan 4, 2021
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    499
    2.8 and an AX5 trans, I assume? How long it your rear driveshaft?
     
  19. Jan 4, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,088
    Good lord, why would anyone swap a 2.8 INTO anything? Those things were awful!
     
  20. Jan 4, 2021
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    499
    RIGHT?!?! o_O
     
New Posts