88 2WD going Low and V8

[Greystone]

Well, finally some reportable progress. pulled the engine, transmission and transfer case (2WD Transfer case - odd Mr Ford, very odd) It was touch and go there for a bit on whether the lift had enough reach. I started with the arm at mid-length but some realized I would need full reach. After dropping the trans mission cross member inn one side I was able to extract it as a unit. It has been years since I had done this, it was fun. The first thing that came to mind as I was lowering the anchor,was that this was the easy part... wait for the install.



Next step, pretty up the engine bay with Tremclad and a brush... What the hack, the hood will be closed most of the time if all goes well.

 

[ab_slack]

I was thinking "wow that is a big engine going in" then I realized it is just a 2.9L coming out. Dunno how people get bigger ones in.

Yes that is an odd thing the faker transfer case. Some brilliant solution to solve configuration or get around a cost justification issue because anticipated volume of 2WD wasn't enough. Rather than mess with a different trans and rear drive shaft, just block the transfer case port and keep it the same. That way they just put a different front end rolling hardware.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Going low as in dropping it?

I never believed lowered Bronco II's could look good until I actually saw one in person.

 

[Show n Go]

Have the same aspirations for my '90 so i'll be watching this closely. What drivetrain will you be wedging in there?

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

 

[Greystone]

Progress - Bay paint and donor

Engine bay paint done, nothing special just some basic black and white.





it turned out not bad, used Tremclad (Rustoleum) and a brush. I was not going to mask every thing off to spray, felt I had better control of the brush than overspray. this was not to be anything close to frame off approach, more of a how far can I reach approach.

The donor car arrived this past Saturday, 1985 T-Bird 5.0 and AOD. Car has been in the family for a while so the history is known. Mileage 145000 KM, seem to have some life left. It is an early EFI set up, throttle body type, Ford CFI.



There is a Mustang HO EFI set up on the shelf however, just waiting to come out, need the 1989 EEC first. The plan is to get he motor over and drive this baby, then go to the next steps, more power and stability . . . lower centre of gravity.

Low? How low? Not bagged, just drop Dream beams and a flip in the rear and bushings. once the beams are in I will see if I can go lowing springs too. but that is later. The tire clearance may be an issue in the rear based on the rim and rubber combo, I don't want to pull the fenders. I have all the stuff, the V8 running a driving is first priority!

Here is a question for y'all regarding the Dream Beams. These are for the Ranger 2WD, (who new that Ford would use a 4WD Crossmember, goes along with the T-Case I guess) and some modification needs to be done on the axle pivot for the passenger side beam, as the mount point is different than the 2WD Ranger, any one tackle this before? The drivers beam pivot bracket will be changed to the Ranger 2WD version (shorter and not as vertical). This seems to be the bigger puzzle regarding the drop.

Thanks for following and the comments.

 

[Greystone]

Well, the 5 oh, is out... that is a bit heavier than the 2.9. I have heard that the estimate is 100 lbs more, but it felt like more work for the crane to extract it. Moving it, it feels heavy too.

Now that it is out the fun begins... This thing has the thermactor pump to be deleted and the 500 miles of vacuum tubing along with it.

The accessory drive pulleys will need to be figured out. The original was a V belt for the P/S and Water pump, then 2 serpentine belts, for the A/C and then one for the Alt and the smog pump. 2 serps and a V makes the front quite long. Any direction here would be great, I would like to keep the accessories but change the mounts.