No fight from me. Just that some people are attached to a particular truck
for one reason or another.
And for whatever reason, Shelby had a custom fabbed crossmember in the
Shelby Dak for better positioning and more space in the engine compartment.
TonyC
former owner of #33 White Shelby Dak
-----Original Message-----
From: Terrible Tom <SilverEightynine@aol.com>
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
<dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2004 12:54 PM
Subject: Re: DML: V-6 to V-8 swap
>
>Tony Cellana wrote:
>> Another option is to swap the front clip off a Gen II to gain the added
>> room.
>> TonyC
>>
>
>That I am soooo dead set against. It would be totally pointless. For
>all the effort and money put into converting a premag Gen I over to a V8
>and swapping a front clip, it would be cheaper and easier to just BUY a
>Gen II with a V8. Nuh uh... Anyone that does that to a Gen I should be
>subjected to having to drive a 3 Cyl Geo Metro around Daytona for eternity.
>
>Neal - I have done extensive research into this very project. I have
>two 1989 Daks - both with Premag 238CI's (3.9L's). My 4x4, Christine,
>and my 2wd.
>
>A 238/318/360 is basically the same thing when it comes to bolting then
>up in a Gen I Dak. Motor mounts are the same etc. You have an 87 -
>which is carbed... don't have to worry about the computer for fuel
>injection. (you still have the OBD I computers etc but nothing that
>controls fuel injection)
>
>As for transmissions - stick with manual (hydraulic) controlled valve
>body transmissions. Something like a 46RH (the H stands for hydraulic
>valve body - 46RE would be electronically controlled) I think the 518
>is a 46RH... but I am not positive. Trans mounts should be the same but
>don't quote me on it. Assuming your 318 transplant is putting out
>stock'ish amounts of power - a 518 tranny should do fine.
>
>The cooling issue is not that big a deal. As has been said before - the
>installation of a V8 into a Gen I will leave about an inch or so of
>space between the radiator and the front of the engine. Aftermarket
>electric fans are easily available that will stick between the grill and
>the outside of the radiator. Best part is on highway driving when you
>have sufficient air flow to cool the engine, you won't even need the fan.
>
>One other thing you might want to do when adding a V8 to a Gen I 4x4 is
>to change out the torsion bars with those from a Gen I. Walt Felix did
>this and so have I. The V8 bars are thicker in diameter and have a
>higher capacity than the stock bars. They are a direct replacement.
>
>Torsion Bar 2000 lb.8 cly -- 1991-1996 Right -- Part # 4322 518
>Torsion Bar 2000 lb.8 cly -- 1991-1996 Left -- Part # 4322 519
>
>Have a look at Walt's site - he also has done lots of research on Gen I
>engine and suspension options.
>
>http://www.walt-n-ingrid.com/modifications.html
>
>
>--
>--------------------------------------------------------------
>Terrible Tom -- AIM & Yahoo Name: SilverEightynine
>
>
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