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**GCinSC2** · 10-31-2015, 04:36 AM

Mel,

Going to post office this AM.

If the ring gear is going to be different than a 5.9L ringgear, then I don't expect the barring tool to match, but you're getting one anyway.

Keyair · 10-31-2015, 08:15 AM

Mel,
The video is interesting for a few reasons... Talks about engine mount fabrication and other stuff.
With the extra weight of the Cummins, are you planning to put stronger springs in the front end?

**GCinSC2** · 10-31-2015, 08:29 AM

Mel,

Just got back from the PO, its in the mail as they say.

Gary

Kota · 10-31-2015, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Mel,

Going to post office this AM.

If the ring gear is going to be different than a 5.9L ringgear, then I don't expect the barring tool to match, but you're getting one anyway.

I've got one and don't use it. Its harder to get to than turning the alternator pulley with a wrench.

choctawmel · 11-02-2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Mel,
The video is interesting for a few reasons... Talks about engine mount fabrication and other stuff.
With the extra weight of the Cummins, are you planning to put stronger springs in the front end?

I did the bigger springs a while back. Raised the front about 2" w/o the air bags. Maybe I'll need the air bags with the extra weight.

choctawmel · 11-02-2015, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Mel,

Just got back from the PO, its in the mail as they say.

Gary

Thanks!!!

choctawmel · 11-02-2015, 08:34 AM

Got some thing done on this again. the 454 is out of there to become next years project.

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Leaving that big void in the front of the AS.

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And got the head off.

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The engine hoist don't like the weight of this w/o the head.

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And it don't fit

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That 454 may become this years project...again

Got to remove the stop solenoid and bracket and maybe the throttle bracket.

Ordered a air/water intercooler from frozenboost.com. Got the 600hp system with the type 101 heat exchanger which will go under the bumper. After I get it and see want it looks like, may order another of the type 101 heat exchangers for a transmission cooler.

To be continued.

bkahler · 11-02-2015, 10:45 AM

Mel, that Cummins block sure looks to be a lot longer than a 454 block. Are you going to have to move the transmission back any to make room?

Smartstream · 11-02-2015, 11:01 AM

I haven't got my tape measure out but remember the Isuzu is almost identical to the Cummins in displacement so the blocks must be pretty close. With the Isuzu the trans is moved back a couple of inches. The rear mount actually lives behind the cross member rather than on top of it.

Smartstream · 11-02-2015, 11:10 AM

While I think of it Airstream used a "ring" type of spacer to adopt the Isuzu to the TH400 and the Isuzu maintains it's flywheel and ring gear that the starter drives and there is a "spud" about 4" in dia. mounted to the crankshaft/flywheel that the flex plate mounts to. The GM flex plate has it's own ring gear that does nothing.

J. Morgan · 11-02-2015, 11:34 AM

Just a point of order, an opinion, on such swaps....

If I were doing this swap I would remove practically ALL hoses, wires, etc. that cross over, under, or around the engine to be reinstalled and if necessary reworked and rerouted after the engine is set.

IMO it is easier to start with a blank canvas when transplanting an engine that is pretty much different in every way.

Brevi tempore!

J. Morgan · 11-02-2015, 11:47 AM

If I were doing that swap....

I would think about cutting that front crossmember at a point fairly close to the frame rail on each side, (but not too close) to make the cross member bolt in and bolt out.

By doing this and removing the bumper, the many ins and outs you are going to have to do will be much easier, and also, future possible repair issues will be easier. (In and out with the head on would be cool).

Of course I really don't know if that will work on that vehicle, but I would be thinking about making that move if at all possible.

Brevi tempore!

bkahler · 11-02-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

If I were doing that swap....

I would think about cutting that front cross member at a point fairly close to the frame rail on each side, (but not too close) to make the cross member bolt in and bolt out.

On the 345 that I dismantled, it had at some point had a replacement engine installed. The front cross member had the rivets ground off and replaced with bolts. In the near future I will be installing a 454 in my Argosy and I've already ground off those bolts and removed the cross member. A mod worth making in my opinion.

Brad

shepherd57 · 11-02-2015, 01:23 PM

Brad
In the manual that I have for my 32.5 with the Isuzu it says to remove that cross member to re & re the engine.It says to grind off the rivets and replace with bolts

Keyair · 11-02-2015, 01:38 PM

Mel,
For your reference, here is some pictures I got from Dave(WXBouy), of his Original 6BT installed in his 345. Hope this is OK to post Dave...

Doghouse looks normal, like mine.

You can see the setback/position they mounted it in here.

And here, for reference, is the pic that GWBaker took of his engine swap...
And now I see that his MH was a '79, so the doghouse is different and explains the issues he had with the pushrods he mentioned.
Note how different the engine postion and maybe doghouse length is, and also note how the turbo/exhaust is mounted lower.

**GCinSC2** · 11-02-2015, 01:44 PM

That first pic of a Cummins installed is w/o intercooler and turbo looks rotated up compared to donor.

Mel hope you can run intercooler somehow.

bkahler · 11-02-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shepherd57

Brad
In the manual that I have for my 32.5 with the Isuzu it says to remove that cross member to re & re the engine.It says to grind off the rivets and replace with bolts

John, your comment prompted me to look at the service manual for the 1984 310. It basically says those front frame members need to be removed to remove/install the diesel engine in the chassis.

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Looks like Mel is going to have to remove some frame members before he can stuff that engine in there.

I wonder why that 345 had the frame member removed? My Argosy has had the 454 removed and the frame member was intact.

Brad

J. Morgan · 11-02-2015, 02:33 PM

Frankly, I think I would remove it whether I HAD to or not.

Brevi tempore!

bkahler · 11-02-2015, 03:24 PM

On the Argosies and the early Classics with the vertical radiator I believe if you remove that front cross member you can drop the radiator out from below. The cross member is directly below the radiator and my first guess is it was placed in that location to protect the radiator.

Brad

choctawmel · 11-02-2015, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

If I were doing that swap....

I would think about cutting that front crossmember at a point fairly close to the frame rail on each side, (but not too close) to make the cross member bolt in and bolt out.

By doing this and removing the bumper, the many ins and outs you are going to have to do will be much easier, and also, future possible repair issues will be easier. (In and out with the head on would be cool).

Of course I really don't know if that will work on that vehicle, but I would be thinking about making that move if at all possible.

Brevi tempore!

My plan was to cut out the front frame out, but after getting the 454 out, the cummins had no problem clearing that. The engine cradle area, that's the challenge.