First time pig owner/LS swap.

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silveradofab said:
I would not mind it sitting a bit higher. I was a surprised about the lack of clearance and maybe that will change when i weld up the engine mounts. I have the front and rear driveshafts installed as a reference front and back. now to try and put in the transfercase mount and see where is sits after that.
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Don't let the driveshafts or crossmember dictate placement. They are cheap and easy to modify. You need to get that engine further back and higher up. Do what Scraps says and get it as high up without making contact with the bellhousing. You're going to have to modify the trans tunnel anyway, so get the motor placed better.
 
I went through your same struggle!
My set up is different but I did have to cut the firewall. It sucks not having some pro sitting right next to you saying yes and no to each problem. There are quite a few guys on here that I would love to live next door.

There a bunch of extra bolts in the AA kit as well. I don’t like ending up with extra bolts! Makes me nervous!

I’m still hoping that my engine doesn’t fall out on the freeway when I get up to speed!
 
xtiaan2000 said:
I went through your same struggle!
My set up is different but I did have to cut the firewall. It sucks not having some pro sitting right next to you saying yes and no to each problem. There are quite a few guys on here that I would love to live next door.

There a bunch of extra bolts in the AA kit as well. I don’t like ending up with extra bolts! Makes me nervous!

I’m still hoping that my engine doesn’t fall out on the freeway when I get up to speed!
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You'll be fine! There's always extra bolts 🤔🧐😳😯🤣🤣🤣
 
So as of now with the stock radiator mocked up i have around 5'' in front. The engine is about as high as it can go with the truck intake. I put the hood on and have about 1/2'' clearance. I have both driveshafts hooked up from the SBC conversion. You think even then I should move it back? If I do I will need to re do the driveshafts.
 
5 inches from pulley? You running fan clutch or electric. You can do either as long as whatever you choose is a fan clutch. They take a bit more room but worth it to me.
 
If you're going to run AC you likely won't get enough cooling using an electric fan. A mechanical fan and shroud will cool it better. 5 inches won't be enough clearance for a mechanical fan.

You seem hell bent on using the driveshafts you have on hand rather than setting the engine properly, so do what you will. But keep in mind just because the donor had a sbc when you got it doesn't mean that setup was done optimally.
 
I'm not sure what proper placement would be in this circumstance. Regardless if i move it back 3'' or not, it seems I will still have major clearance issues. I'm not at all opposed to modifying the driveshafts. Certainly not hellbent on any part of the process being one way or another, rather trying to be mindful of options before I start eliminating options e.g. keeping existing modified driveshafts and engine mounts. I am aware however it may provide enough clearance for a clutch fan.
 
samc2447 said:
If you're going to run AC you likely won't get enough cooling using an electric fan. A mechanical fan and shroud will cool it better. 5 inches won't be enough clearance for a mechanical fan.

You seem hell bent on using the driveshafts you have on hand rather than setting the engine properly, so do what you will. But keep in mind just because the donor had a sbc when you got it doesn't mean that setup was done optimally.
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All of this ^^^Including the bit about the SBC. I had an SBC in my pig prior to going to the LS. I moved the whole thing back 2 inches from where the SBC was. Yes I needed new drive shafts but the cost of them was insignificant to the pluses I got in return. I have the stock clutch fan, a shroud, and a double pass radiator with the condenser and maybe an 1.5 inches of room between fan and radiator. With my setup I have gone up a steep grade at 85 mph with the AC on in 115 degree heat. No issues at all. I have also sat idle in that same heat with the AC on. No issues at all. The electric fan will never be able to do that and it will be too noisy.
 
Good advice. I would like to use the factory clutch fan if possible. I will need to relocate or modify the ebrake bracket on the firewall. I'll see what options I have there.
 
Tonight I went ahead and installed the factory GM clutch fan and with and the radiator I have 2 3/4'' clearance between it and the radiator.... It also seems like if I cheat it a bit to the driver side(1/2'') I might be able to keep the factory ebrake mount. All of this while not removing the current driveshafts. No matter how my shifted and lifted I still have very little clearance with the diff. Looks like I need to look into the SOA.

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silveradofab said:
Looks like I need to look into the SOA
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Are you wanting a tall Cruiser?
There’s a couple threads on here of guys that went SOA to accommodate an LS.
Builds - My New Project - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/my-new-project.522048/

forum.ih8mud.com

Need help on SOA conversion!

My builder is doing the SOA conversion on my FJ55 with 60 axles, and he's ran into problems with mounting the leaf springs. I had called Ruffstuff specialties, let them know what I was doing, and they recommended this kit, which I have, but now believe to have been a mistake...
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com

I also want to say a guy that works/worked for Classic Cruisers put an LS in a relatively stock 55 and no SOA or 60 axles. If I can dig it up, I’ll post it.
 
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Moving right along and pretty happy with the engine location. Unfortunately AA sent me a TC crossmember for an FJ40 and not a 55. It is significantly more narrow otherwise I'd use it and block out the mounts. So sort of stalled as far as centering and final location before burning in the mounts. I'm considering the SOA as my only option for clearance unless the is a much more low profile oil pan I'm missing. I am pretty sure the Fbody pan is what is typically used. Next will be ordering headers and making sure they fit.
 
Is the F body a Camaro? I got a pan from ao 2002 Camaro. I will try to find pics of the clearance. However, I have about a 5-6 inch lift.
 
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Here you can see it is a rear sump. Not sure if yours is rear or front.
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I looked thru your photos again. I guess you might have the same pan as I do. I guess my motor is a lot further back and I did move my axle forward about an inch or so. It looks like you are pretty far back when I look at the firewall photo. Not sure why your clearance is so extreme.
 
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