Greenbean - The 98GT - turbo 460 swap

Well, that is an unexpected setback. I never thought the flexplate bolts would interfere with the converter. A 460 has a much larger bolt circle than a 4.6L so the bolts hit the raised section of the converter.

I put the transmission all up in there and it just wasn't pulling together like it should. I really really really did not want to pull the transmission back out, but I did and the problem was quickly obvious.

Not sure how I'm going to overcome this setback just yet, but I am looking at flexplate bolts with heads that are not as thick. These are pretty tall with the weirdo castles. I'm going to do some measuring tomorrow and see just how much room I have.

Well the 4r70w is in. I picked up some flexplate bolts with smaller thinner heads. I still had to use the angle grinder to make them even thinner. Then I chucked them up in the drill press and hit the edges with a flapper wheel to round off the corners. I also put one hardened washer on each converter stud.

I wiggled the trans up into place and it seems to fit ok, so I guess I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best.

Oh yeah, loudest noises in the world:
1. Atomic detonation
2. Volcanic eruption
3. Flexplate falling off and landing on the shop floor.

Oof.

A trick I learned a while back was to put tie down straps under the trans (f&r) so if it were to slip off the jack it won't fall on the floor.

Sometimes things just fall in place.  Yesterday I monkeyed with a stock transmission crossmember trying to make it work.  After cutting and offsetting it to the rear 3/4", it sorta fit, but I was not happy with it.  

Today I pulled out the crossmember I made for the E4OD just to give it a looky.  I was blown away to discover the subframe already had holes for the brackets in the right place and the height in the chassis was perfect.  Bolt it in, done.   That never happens.  

I read a forum post where a guy had trouble with his 4R70w swap because the converter snout was too short to properly index into the crank.  I took some measurements and I think I am going to be in the same boat.  Fortunately, there is a fix in the form of a bushing that fits in the larger bore intended for a manual transmission pilot bearing.  Sooo, that means it has to come out again.....  Pics: 4R snout length, E4 snout length.

Transmission is back out. I took some careful measurements did some maths and concluded the snout only "engaged" the crank by 1/16". I put engaged in quotes because the snout on the converter has a chamfer that's bigger than 1/16". So the converter really wasn't actually touching the crankshaft at all.

My bronze bushing material (you didn't really think I was going to pay $50+ for a little bushing did you? ) will be here tomorrow. It will need a little "machining" on the OD to fit in the crank just right. Like around 0.025". Crank bore is 1.85", bushing material is 1.875". I have 4" of material to work with, so I have plenty of chances if I screw up.

4R70w install, day 5627. Haha.
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Man I love it when things go as planned. I picked up
this 4" chunk of bronze bushing material and made a converter pilot bushing today. The outside diameter was a little big, but I rigged up a way to mount it in the drill press and I used a strip of a belt sanding belt to cut it down to the exact diameter I wanted. Then I marked the thickness it needed to be and cut it with the portaband. I cleaned it up on the belt sander and hand sanded the outer edges and inner diameter until it fit like I wanted.  

Then it was just a matter of putting the transmission back in. It fits great now and I have peace of mind knowing that the snout of the converter is supported and centered like it should be.

One more.

I weighed the E4OD today. Lighter than I expected. I thought it would be 270-290ish. It's only about 40 pounds heavier than the 4R70w. Both were weighed with the converter.

Since I am going to put a Transgo AODE-3 manual valve body kit in this transmission, I want a better shifter. The cheapo one I bought is ok, but has no reverse lockout and just doesn't work nearly as smoothly as the B&M's I have. So I ordered a B&M ProStick for this car. Basically the same shifter that is in the 83GT and in Jake's 95GTS.

Yesterday, I vacuumed the interior and reinstalled the back seat. I also removed the Bauman trans controller and figured out what wires I need for neutral safety and reverse lights.

We are getting close to first fire up again!

I think the list is:
Trans cooler lines
Neutral switch
Fluids
Prelube
Fuel

To drive it needs:
Shifter installed
Megasquirt & Ignition igniter mounted
Driveshaft
Brakes bled
Diff fluid
Seats reinstalled
Grease everything

Shifter is installed and it is smooth as butter. Each click is so satisfying. I had to modify a C6 cable mount to fit this trans because the kit doesn't come with AOD/AODE/4R70W mounts.

This one feels so good that it makes the old B&M in 83GT feel kinda bindy and stiff. So, I did what any good gearhead would do. I started messing with it's cable routing and mounting.

Gosh, this thing could actually run this weekend.

Send it!!!

I turned my attention to Greenbean a little bit yesterday afternoon. I reinstalled the driver's seat and reinstalled the water pump.

The decided to go ahead and fill it up with water and make sure it didn't leak. Well. It leaked.

Found the source of the leak. The intake adapter plate was not seated properly on the head. It was hung up on one of the small button head allen bolts that secure the valley pan. I stuck a light into the intake port and it was close, but not down flush.

There was about 1-1/2 cups of water in the pan. Blah.

Everything is cleaned up and ready to reassemble. However, I may send these plates back to the mfg to have the rest of the holes drilled & tapped. Backstory: a little while after I installed these, the mfg (Price Motorsport) called me and told me they had a few sets slip out without having all the bolt holes drilled and tapped. They asked me if I wanted to send mine back but since it was already assembled and at the time, it was going to be naturally aspirated, I didn't think it was a big deal. It probably still isn't a big deal, but since they're off, I might as well try to get them fixed correctly.

When they get back I will add a small clearance notch for those button head allen bolts.

I shipped the adapter plates back to Price Motorsport yesterday. When I spoke to them on the phone, they were not certain how long it would be before they could fix them and send them back. Since the holes that need to be drilled and tapped are on an angle, they have to set up a machine to do it. I really just wish they would send me a new correct set and be done, but whatever. I'm not in a super big rush. I have other stuff to work on.

Been a little distracted lately by working on my son's 95GT. I decided to do Youtube vids so my boys can follow along. It's been fun, so if you are bored check them out. I am getting better as I go along. I don't take this or myself seriously, so don't expect hardcore tech. Mainly just me working and jabbering as I go.

I will likely expand into other projects, but for now I will mostly stick to the 95.

https://www.youtube.com/@BigBlockRanger

Plates showed up today. All fixed. Whoo hoo. Now I can get back to working on 2 projects!

Finally worked on this car again! intake adapters are back on as is the intake.

I keep getting distracted by other projects!

Top end reassembly continues!

Filled it with fluids and checked for leaks. Fuel, water, oil, some ATF. I had one braided line that gushed fuel. It literally got hard inside and broke. I could bend it and it would snap like a twig inside.

I fixed that and the fuel system pressured up perfectly.

Mad at myself because I thought this was going to be a good vid, but my mic receiver died.

Whose White Mustang in the Video Next to Your Car?

That is my buddy Jonathan's. It's a turbo 347/AOD combo that is still under construction. It'll be a neat car if he ever decides to finish it.

BigBlockRanger wrote:That is my buddy Jonathan's.  It's a turbo 347/AOD combo that is still under construction.  It'll be a neat car if he ever decides to finish it.

Thanks!! Question for you on your 83 or 84 Big Block Mustang are you using K-Member Spacers?

Yep. Both the 83 and the 98 have 1.5" spacers in them.

I tried leaving them out when I put the 552 back in the 83, but gosh, I feel like it just fits so much better with them.

BigBlockRanger wrote:Yep.  Both the 83 and the 98 have 1.5" spacers in them.  

I tried leaving them out when I put the 552 back in the 83, but gosh, I feel like it just fits so much better with them.  

Thanks i'm not using them but i could gain some carburetor to hood clearance with them correct? Did you make your own or buy the ones you're using? So you're using them now on the 83?

Yes I have a set on the 83 right now.

I just made them from 1.5" square tube. Steering shaft may need to be lengthened a little. I stretched mine out a little so it would fit better.

BigBlockRanger wrote:Yes I have a set on the 83 right now.  

I just made them from 1.5" square tube.  Steering shaft may need to be lengthened a little.  I stretched mine out a little so it would fit better.  

Thanks maybe i'll try those next year how much carb to hood clearance do think you gained with them?