Time? 350 sbc & th350 Wife may say HELL NO!

[JRoybal]

Hi All,
This is a great forum I've been scanning and reading it for the past fews days in prperation for installing a 350 & th350 in my 71 fj40. It has a 2f in there i'm tired of only going 60mph on the freeway.

I am about to aquire all the parts for the conversion including the PS conversion. The only problem I have is how long will this take. My wife basically said if this takes a few months then HELL NO! as this is our second vehicle and I like sleeping in the house.

I'm a decent mechanic and have done a couple of engine replacements before but this will be the first full conversion. Id like to say 2 or 3 weekends. Am I living in a pipe dream or would this be about right. I know the hood and fenders will be coming off but will I have to remove the body down to the frame.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[fieldsken1]

However long you think it will take just times that by 5 and thats how long it takes. there will be so many little things that will come up and thats what takes so long. GOOD LUCK

 

[cjgoode]

I would say get use to going 60. No matter what anyone says these heavy short wheel base vehicles are not safe at over 55. It just takes one thing to cause a serious accident. Anyone who says they are safe, ask them to take it up to 60 mph and lock up the wheels to prove it, I bet they want do it.

 

[Bret]

If you have everything you need before you start it is poossible. It's the little things that can drag it out, and fabricating little things along the way takes longer than expected. A carb'd version would be easier but fuel injection would be very nice, but would take longer to complete. Having a welder and ccomfortable using it would be essential.

It could go easier if you have a vehicle to use as a template. Maybe split it up and do the motor first then do the PS once it is going again? Which power steering system are you looking at?

 

[dohcdelsol93]

the 350 will run higher rpms more comfortable than the F but 65 is still about the fastest i feel safe with manual steering and drum brakes.

I had a front wheel blow apart at 65mph and that could have been deadly if it were in rush hour traffic/morning commute.

NOT safe vehicles at high speeds.