3.2 Block - Engine mounting position?

[3d914]

OK, also finished up the design mods on the engine cradle. Bought the basic design on line from Russ Green. Needed to simplify some for V6 use and the fact that I wanted the clutch & tranny installed when I test the engine.


The cradle I've redesigned will be moved into position and connected up before the engine bar is installed or removed. The cradle supports the engine & tranny while the engine bar is removed and the cradle is fastened up. The engine bar installs from the front of the engine.

The cradle is also designed to fit with my ATV lift. Of course the radiator supports are removed for engine install.

 

[3d914]

Anyone have a pic of the left side mounting bracket with the A/C compressor installed? I'd like to see what the clearance is like.

TIA,

 

[Phoenix]

This is one with the 3.2 bracket (in this case fitting it with a mtx 3.0 mount), note that the AC is gutted and cut. (you need the AC to use as a spacer or you will crack brackets)

I dont know if its gonna help but here it is.

 

[3d914]

Phoenix, yes that does help. Thanks for the tip on the bracket reinforcement. I plan to install A/C eventually, but not initially.

Those are nice headers. Did you do those yourself or custom made?

 

[Phoenix]

Done them myself , all you need is a welder , 1.75" mendrel U bends pipes , flanges and alot of patience

The black stuff is hi-temp powdercoat from eastwood.

 

[3d914]

Came up with a bracket design for the engine cradle that supports the tranny just behind where it mounts to the adapter plate and motor.

Here's a pic of the brackets on the cradle. I save locating the mounting holes until everything is located at assembly. Portions of the cradle are hidden for clarity.



Been getting quotes for steel to fab the cradle and engine bar. Hope to have all the material together and assembly started by end of December.

 

[3d914]

Here you can just barely make out the top of my mount.



Tom

Tom, I noticed you have something mounted for the compressor pully - do you have A/C on this lady? If not, what did you use?

 

[Off Road SHO]

That is just an airpump made by Eaton. I wouldn't advise that you swap one of those into your 914 though. Not only does it **** your air conditioning, it makes you sweat a lot more while driving it. :angelnot:

I have lots of steel. What are you looking for? Also have a good friend (with a SHO buggy of course) that works at Advanced Metal Sales in Phoenix, where they not only supply raw steel product but can also cut it, brake it, weld it into any shape you want. I buy all my stell and aluminum products from them.

Tom

 

[Shovert]

Awesome looking. Yes I agree after sending you the ideas of the radiator I realized you would lose trunk and if it rained wouldn't be nice. Keep it up. Maurice

 

[rubydist]

That is just an airpump made by Eaton. I wouldn't advise that you swap one one those into your 914 though. Not only does it **** your air conditioning, it makes you sweat a lot more while driving it. :angelnot:

Tom

lol

I believe "supercharger" is the commonly used term....

 

[3d914]

A belt-driven supercharger - on the side. Coool! I could go for that.

Tom, I'll PM my steel parts list. OOOps - don't see a way to add attachments to ***. I'll try email.

Let me know what you have. It'll be a good excuse to drive up for those other parts, see the locost project, and get updated on things. It may be a couple of weeks before I can make it up though - but easily before Christmas.

Can you or anyone you know do plasma-cutting of 1/8 or 1/4 plate for reasonable $? I have several parts I can provide CAD or solids model of for machining.

TIA,

 

[3d914]

That is just an airpump made by Eaton. I wouldn't advise that you swap one one those into your 914 though. Not only does it **** your air conditioning, it makes you sweat a lot more while driving it.
Tom

I forgot to ask - are there any alternatives to the A/C so I can retain the pulley until I get around to installing A/C? I saw Phoenix had a gutted one - but that seems like a lot of work for a bearing with a shaft & pulley.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Yes, you can use the pre-drilled holes in that aluminum piece and just add an idler pulley that allows the belt to bypass where the AC compressor was and yet still give you enough wrap on the Alternator pulley and crank pulley to prevent squeal. I'll see if I can find a pic of my routing. Found one and sent to you.

Tom

 

[3d914]

Did manage to get some time in on the engine cradle - one of the side benefits of my son's infatuation with games.


Spent the morning cutting, beveling, and cleaning pieces for the base, and the caster extensions.

Got the base welded together and ran out of welding wire just as my son showed up.

 

[3d914]

Got more done on the engine cradle today. Added the radiator support brackets, built the supports. Also added the cross-supports that match my ATV lift.

Next are the support tubes for the engine. I found a place that will plasma cut my brackets for reasonable price. Gotta put each in a DXF file though - good thing I got CAD.

 

[3d914]

The engine cradle is coming along nicely. Have the horizontal and vertical supports done for the SHO motor. It's actually starting to look like an engine stand.


The mating brackets for the engine are going to be plasma cut by a shop in Tucson. The varied shapes and steel thickness was beyond my hand tools. Once their done, I'll get them test fit and attached.

 

[3d914]

This is one with the 3.2 bracket (in this case fitting it with a mtx 3.0 mount), note that the AC is gutted and cut. (you need the AC to use as a spacer or you will crack brackets)

I dont know if its gonna help but here it is.

Phoenix, what is the black bracket in your picture? Is this a stock part or something you custom fit?

 

[rubydist]

alternator support piece.

 

[3d914]

Hoo Raa! The parts for the cradle and engine bar came in from the plasma cutter. Looks like I'll get to do some more welding this week.

 

[3d914]

Got duplicate somehow.