Joined: Mon Jun 26 2006, 11:31PM
Location: Newtown, PA
Posts: 239
Hi guys, its been a while. Time has really been flying the last several years with kids growing and my own business to run, but I refused to give up my project. I actually have the 440 mated to the 727 and I'm planning on setting them in this weekend. Unfortunately the memory has faded a little. I have been searching a lot on this and other forums, as well as the WWW and have most of my answers, but a few questions remain. If anyone can tell me in detail where/how the stock engine mounts go, that would be very much appreciated! I'm not sure which one goes on which side (one has the closed tube on the lower bolt-through and one doesn't). Also, the rubber mounts that go to the K member- which way do they face? My memory says the bolts pass through from front to back, so the threaded part would go aft, and I'm also fairly sure that bolt-through goes toward the bottom, but would love some confirmation (and pics)! Tranny mount I think I have right but feel free to provide input there as well. TNT headers and exhaust, plus a mini starter ready too. The starter wire stud actually touches the block right near the freeze plug. Anyone have that happen? I guess I could run the nut on and then cut it off a little shorter, it is very close. I also noticed the stud looks like it might pass through the starter and go out the other side, it seems to line up. Does anyone know if this is the case, and if I can loosen both ends and spin the stud down toward the other side a bit? I have a good starter shop nearby I can ask, but I thought I'd ask here first. As for the headers, all my research has led me to a plan of suspending the engine a few inches above the mounts and bringing them up from underneath, mounting them tight, then lowering the engine the rest of the way in. I would love to install them before, but all the good pictures I have seen show a Torsion bar pretty well in the way. If anyone has put them on first and had success swinging them around the T bar as the assembly went in I would love to hear that! I got them ceramic polished so I REALLY don't want to bang them up! I want to just get the beast in, then I will tie up the loose ends over the rest of the Winter. I am more than likely doing a floor shifter, and I'm leaning toward a B&M Sport Shifter with cable, and both neutral and reverse light switch. I really like the Lokar but I don't know if the tranny mount or floor mount would be better, and I have a bench seat so I'm a little worried about placement. Again, any real world experience is greatly appreciated! I don't have the original 440 shift linkage, and I would have to get TTI's extra part to go under the header also, so I think the floor shifter is the better option. I have heard of cables getting burned through, too. I will try to get some pictures and details posted up as I can, and I greatly appreciate any input.
Motor mounts go on the engine with the rubber insulator to the bottom. The mount bracket with the welded in tube is the driver side mount. Sorry I am not able to provide pictures. The trans mount bracket usually has the bolts securing to the trans on the side toward the front. It is usually better to install the headers after the engine is in the car. The starter stud for the battery cable does not simply go through the starter. You will probably have to shorten the stud. Sometimes a small amount of material must be removed from the engine block at the point of interference. Whatever works. Since you seem to be working with aftermarket shifters, I would suggest using the floor mount type with the cable to the trans. A trans mounted shifter will be moving around during acceleration and braking and other vehicle movements while going down the road. Whichever suits you. Hope some of this helps you.
Joined: Mon Jun 26 2006, 11:31PM
Location: Newtown, PA
Posts: 239
Thanks very much! I never really thought about the tranny mounted shifter moving a little, that's a good point. I think I am going to do it though, I've heard too many stories of burned cables, plus I really like the design and look of the Lokar unit. I will either start a new thread and detail as much of the install as I can, or find the old one and revive it. Thanks again!