302 heater box clearance?

[Mrthechicken102]

I just got my 302 in my ranger and running nicely, currently it has a 3 inch body lift but I plan on removing this as i dont like the look. The issue is have is the passenger side vaulve cover needs clearance from the heater box directly above it. Does anyone know how much clearance i need to make or better yet a way to remove and by pass this box completely as I do not have ac.

 

[bobbywalter]

you can modify it with a heat gun and reform it in for clearance or cut and add metal...or glass it. lots of options.

i would recommend at least a 1 inch body lift. i prefer a 3 in body lift to make maintenance easier. of course with lower 2wd trucks though, its not as desirable.


the box just transfers air in the hvac. you can build whatever you want out there.

 

[SenorNoob]

If you can find one, there are non-ac factory heater boxes. They look like this:

It's a pretty basic shape where the AC core was. Maybe you can mod yours using these images?

BTW, that first pic is showing the extra clearance gained with my 4.0. There was just enough room to squeeze the rear spark plug boot in there before.

 

[bobbywalter]

typical v8 installation still requires the box to be modded a bit.


post 95 chassis have a revised box to allow for the explorer setup. the firewall mounting points and holes are a bit different but it is a configurable system to update to in total system swap terms.

i use several methods depending on engine.