What did you guys do?

[adsm08]

Alright, I am really not sure where this question truly belongs, as it spans a few areas.

Last weekend I picked up an 87 that was being 4.0 swapped, and the guy was off to a pretty disastrous start. I have most of the major issues sorted out well enough to make it work, but I have run up against one spot that is going to be an issue.

This truck is an 87, 2wd auto, and it has the lever-style shift linkage for the floor shifted auto. It has a 4.0 engine with 4.0 headers, looks like a Headman kit. Obviously since he was working on a 2wd he got 2wd headers. I am having issues with interference between the exhaust pipe and some minor transmission stuff like cooler lines and shift linkage.

I was able to get the cooler lines out of the way by just tweaking them, but the pivot arm for the shifter where it crosses out from the frame and over to the trans, is directly in the way of the exhaust. I have maybe 2", more like 1.5, between the collector and the pivot, not really enough to flatten the pipe or bend around it.

Has anyone managed to use the old-style auto shifter and 4.0 headers together? If yes, and the answer is 4x4 headers I'm good with that. This engine will, when I am done with the truck, end up in my BII, so I will need 4x4 headers then anyway. But ultimately my goal at this moment is to make this thing run and drive without putting much money into it, since I bought this truck for parts.


The other question is, has anyone successfully used a 2.9 starter with a 4.0 engine? It almost fits, but I have a clocking issue and it seems like it is up against something. At this moment a starter is something I would rather not buy, since it will end up needing a manual trans starter in the new vehicle, but it will need an auto starter for now.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Are they longtubes or something? Duals running on each side of the trans?

On my 2.8 the exhaust crossed over to the passenger side well ahead of the shift linkage.

 

[adsm08]

Yes, they are long tubes. I looked at the set of 4x4 headers on my black truck today after work, 4x4 Headmans are not the answer. I compared where my exhaust runs vs the positions those linkages would be in, I think the 4x4 system might be worse for fit.

I am either going to have to cut the cup off the Y-pipe and have it re-welded to go almost straight down, or look for some shorties. I might just go with a different brand anyway. I have not been impressed with how often the Y-pipe comes loose and leaks on these headers.

I still can't believe that with all the 4.0 swaps this site has done collectively that nobody has a confirmed solution to this. I read through 4.0 BII's build since he has the engine/trans/shifter combo I am after, but I didn't see where he even mentioned his exhaust.