Mount Fabrication
I first needed to mock up the engine with all the components on the engine to find out which bosses on the block I could use for my mounts. I knew I wanted to use the ones closest to the existing ranger mounts but I needed to verify the mounts wouldn't interfer with any component on the engine.
Passenger side mount looks like I have a bunch of options.
From my picture posted earlier of the driver's side it seems my options are pretty slim. Looks like I have to use the only three available.
Pull out the used Cheerios boxes and go to town... (I don't seem to have pictures of the passenger mount in place but you get the idea)
I took my paper templates and flatened them out to trace onto some 6 gauge steel (.180") and with some help from a buddy at work on the press break I now have something to work with. Driver's side on the left, passenger on the right. I really wanted to make these one piece but I didn't have an accurate mating of the two paper templates.
Here are the two separate parts of the mounts...
Upper part bolted just to the block:
Lower part bolted to the mount and the block:
And here they are both bolted on so I can mark a cut line on the lower mount portion:
Cut and tacked together:
I had to ditch my original mount design for the driver's side due to bolt access. I could have made it work but I would have needed to shorten the bolts significantly just to get them in place. Even then tool access would have sucked. Here is what I ended up doing:
And here's the end result. I was so pumped to get the mounts completed! Clearance to the steering rack is perfect. I could have dropped the engine by 1.5" but I really wanted to avoid notching the oil pan. Even if I did notch it I bet I could only gain another 1/2" due to the oil pump being right there. Any of you swap guys ever had driveline vibrations due to angling the engine/tranny too much?