I fought all day and lost . . .

[PetesPonies]

Hey Ranger, the key was the transmission. It did all the locating for me. I didn't move it or do anything to its placement until I had already made the correct holes for the engine mounts. Doesn't that make sense? Now if you aren't using you stock transmission, then that would be different. But I did, so it was the one factor that didn't change and it set everything up for me. Thats why working with a bare block for crossmember holes is the way to go.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hey Ranger, the key was the transmission. It did all the locating for me. I didn't move it or do anything to its placement until I had already made the correct holes for the engine mounts. Doesn't that make sense? Now if you aren't using you stock transmission, then that would be different. But I did, so it was the one factor that didn't change and it set everything up for me. Thats why working with a bare block for crossmember holes is the way to go.

I trimmed the orignal crossmember to fit farther forward on the frame. One side sits on the bottom of the frame and the other side sits up a little, I had it jacked up so the crossmember was level with the truck. I let it wiggle around as I got the engine where I wanted it and fine tuned it afterwards.

Actually I used a C5 tranny with the V6 tailhousing and V8 bellhousing, on the passenger side it fell right into the forward most set of holes, since my A4LD crossmember was trimmed down I had to drill a new hole in it but otherwise used the hole on the other side of the frame. I also slotted the mount holes in the crossmember so I could still adjust the transmission side to side.

How are you using the stock transmission? Even with a C5 I would think the bellhousing would probably be a different depth between the two.

I would get the tranny set up for a V8, slap it on the said V8 and using the measurements from the original driveshaft length(s) set them in there to best use the original driveshafts.

+1 on the plasma cutter, just like cutting butter.

 

[PetesPonies]

So you don't know what a C5 is?? Its a C4 basically. Therefore, you change the bell and TC and you bolt it up to the V8. I know everything is sitting in the same place as it was when the vehicle rolled off the line. I haven't even removed a single driveshaft.

 

[Teddyzee]

What the hell am I talking about?

Just observing your build. I in no way care how you do it.

 

[baddad457]

I do not believe "your" way is easier. Moving a bare block around, in and out as you decide on the proper location is much easier to do than work with a fully loaded engine. I understand many of you may not have extra blocks around, but if you do have access toone, its the way to go. The trans was not moved at all at first, working with the bare block. That way I can get the engine sitting in the exact place it needs to be. Then once holes are cut, you can move the trans for easier installation of the completed engine. I didn't have to remove any drive shafts, cable or linkage, just slid the trans back. How hard is that?

UMMM...............................your thread title is a dead giveaway And given that you say you're using the stock transmission, then that in itself tells me you're going to be doing it all over again as soon as the motor grenades the stock transmission. And yes, that WILL happen. I stuck the engine/transmission in minus the FEAD,moved it as far back as it would go and still have 1" clearance or so between the drivers head and firewall (good luck with your method when you go to install the heads) centered it between the fenders, levleled it, marked the crossmember where the mount studs touched, lifted the motor out, cut the mount slots then set it back into place and bolted it all together. No fighting with anything here, other than the normal bugs to work out of any swap.

 

[PetesPonies]

baddad . . you're not familiar with what a C5 is? I mean thats OK, everybody can't know everything . But, why do you think a C5 isn't up to the V8? I even built a C5 for my '83 drag car many moons ago. But even if you have no actual experience, there is a lot of info about using the stock C5 with a V8 swap. I thought it was common knowledge??

 

[PetesPonies]

Here's a couple pics of the engine planted:

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So you don't know what a C5 is?? Its a C4 basically. Therefore, you change the bell and TC and you bolt it up to the V8. I know everything is sitting in the same place as it was when the vehicle rolled off the line. I haven't even removed a single driveshaft.

There are variances in V8 bells, a V8 C5 bell is a tad over an inch deeper than a C4 bell. This will effect engine placement. Mine was already set up for a V8 when I got it so I don't know how it compares in depth to the V6 bellhousing.

My V8 C5:

The fairly typical 164t C4 bell:

baddad . . you're not familiar with what a C5 is? I mean thats OK, everybody can't know everything . But, why do you think a C5 isn't up to the V8? I even built a C5 for my '83 drag car many moons ago. But even if you have no actual experience, there is a lot of info about using the stock C5 with a V8 swap. I thought it was common knowledge??

It is also fairly common knowlage that V6 C5's are not put together the same inside as V8 C5's. Apparently they didn't think the measely little 2.8 required the beef that the V8's needed.

Nice little 'tude you have there

 

[baddad457]

baddad . . you're not familiar with what a C5 is? I mean thats OK, everybody can't know everything . But, why do you think a C5 isn't up to the V8? I even built a C5 for my '83 drag car many moons ago. But even if you have no actual experience, there is a lot of info about using the stock C5 with a V8 swap. I thought it was common knowledge??

Well you left that detail out initially, didn't you ? Most swaps done here involve replacing the weak sister transmissions that the vast majority of these trucks come with. I'm completely familiar with the C-4/5, but in stock form, it's still not likely to last behind a fresh V8, so in the end, you're still looking at pulling it sooner or later, more likely sooner, I have had that much experience with C-4's to know that even the stock V8 version isn't a strong transmission to begin with.

 

[5.0]

impenion

What brand is the ratchet on your tail gate? Or where did you buy it?


.

 

[baddad457]

There are variances in V8 bells, a V8 C5 bell is a tad over an inch deeper than a C4 bell. This will effect engine placement. Mine was already set up for a V8 when I got it so I don't know how it compares in depth to the V6 bellhousing.

Nice little 'tude you have there

Actually back when I did my swap, I too used a C-5 and the driveshaft ended up the perfect length with the deeper bell. But the freshly rebuilt C-5 lasted exactly ten miles. After that little fiasco, I went with a 38 year old Toploader 4 speed.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

What brand is the ratchet on your tail gate? Or where did you buy it?


.

Stanley from Wally World, cheap but works pretty well. Graduated from my junkin' box to my regular toolbox.

Actually back when I did my swap, I too used a C-5 and the driveshaft ended up the perfect length with the deeper bell. But the freshly rebuilt C-5 lasted exactly ten miles. After that little fiasco, I went with a 38 year old Toploader 4 speed.

I used the deeper bell and the crossmember practically bolted in but the A4LD shafts were off by a good 4".

So far aside from the 2700 rpm at 55 mph, I love it.

 

[PetesPonies]

I wouldn't even consider a 164t bell combo . too large IMO. I guess it could work, but it really offers clearance issues. I would suggest a 157t or the smaller Mustang II variation. I ended up going with a 157t because I had access to one. There are no issues with a 157t bell.

As for toasting the C5 in 10 miles, that wasn't the transmissions fault, not by design. Rebuilder or something caused the problem. Mant T5s came behind V8 stock.

 

[PetesPonies]

Well guys, you just know too much for little ole me . . .shame on me .

 

[baddad457]

Well guys, you just know too much for little ole me . . .shame on me .

No, like Teddy intimated before, it was your attitude that got you into trouble here. Everyone's good at something, or more knowledgable at some particular thing. Like you, I've been around the block a few times (30-something years) with classic Stangs (had a 67 BB FB Stang with both the 390 it came with and later a side oiler 427 back in the 80's) And had V8 experiences with my 89 Ranger for ten years til I sold it a few months ago.(4 different motors in that time, three different sets of headers, three different transmissions, 2 drivelines, three rearends) And many here are likewise experienced, but most don't go around assuming we're somehow above someone else here, we're all in the same V8 boat. Good Luck with your swap, but get ready to pull that C-5 in the future that's going to be an interesting experience in itself with the larger bellhousing in a Ranger. I know, Been There- Done That.