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Algoma, sometimes you get lucky. But my reply was sarcastic - I guess you didn't notice that?
On the engine weights, the only reason for variations between 283 and 327 or 396 and 427 is component weight differences - and there no differences in the factory components, at least not that big.
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Today we pulled the 55 HEMI frame out of the frame jig after assembling the modified AME center section and re-installing the front clip. We still have some welding to do on it, and have to fab engine and transmission mounts once we determine engine placement. We did add HT body mounts since this is for a 55 2DHT.
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Steve came over last week and we reviewed engine placement. I put a radiator support on the frame with a SPAL 11" dual fan setup clamped to it. We got some pulley dimensions from March Performance for the accessory setup he plans to use. We pushed the engine as far forward as we could, and it looks like it's about 3" into the firewall as measured from the front face of it.
He brought over some aftermarket Schumacher HEMI engine mounts that I was going to try to use but they're not working out. I thought I could use the bushings and tubes as well as the block brackets. The brackets bolt to the engine ok but the design is such that if I welded the frame piece to the frame, you couldn't pull the engine out. So I decided it would be better to start from scratch, and I build these block brackets out of 3/16" steel.
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Then I ordered some urethane bushings that are 1.5" OD and .75" ID. Inside of these will be a .75" OD/ x .5" ID steel sleeve that I'll make out of DOM tubing. These will go into a DOM tube with 1.5" ID that I picked up yesterday which will be attached to the frame. I think the 3/8" of wall on the urethane bushings will give us the cushion we need. I also need to make a transmission mount out of urethane bushings and DOM tubing, since a stock mount that works is not available.
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I got the urethane bushings this weekend and made the engine mount tubes out of 2" DOM tubing with 1/4" wall. I originally though the tubing might be a little too big, but I think it will work out just fine. Also made the longer sleeve out of 3/4" DOM tubing with 1/8" wall. I pressed the assemblies together to attach them to the engine mounts I built, and now I have to make the plates to attach them to the frame.
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We finally got the crank pulley from March, and it was bigger than what both of their tech guys told me it was at 7 7/16" diameter and 4" deep. So with that dimension and the 3" dimension of the crank centerline above the bottom of the block, I mocked up the damper and pulley on the foam block and finished fabbing the engine mounts. The crank pulley sits a about 1/4" above the swaybar and the water pump pulley about 1" behind the fan shroud. I will have to notch the driver's side engine mount for the steering shaft.
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We finished the transmission mount today. I couldn't find a suitable urethane or rubber mount for a Torqueflite transmission so I had to design and build a custom mount and crossmember. The mounting holes ended up almost in the center of the exhaust holes so we had to design around that.
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We also notched the driver's side engine mount for steering shaft clearance. We'll weld a tube in the notch to close it up. The interesting thing about a Hemi is the mounts aren't the same fore-aft location on both sides. Luckily, the driver's side mount is further back.
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Looking good Laszlo! Nice to get out of your comfort zone every now and then, huh?
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Thanks Robert. This build was a pretty "normal" C4 build for us except for the engine and transmission which required a bunch of design and custom fab work. We lost a month of time waiting on March to deliver that crank pulley so we could determine final engine position. The 55 Gasser is more out of my comfort zone than this project! :)
This frame should be finished this coming Tuesday, and then we can get the gasser frame out of the frame jig and finish the front end and engine mounts.
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Frame looks good! I like the shop, looks like a show room! Congrats, now will you have time for the nomad lol?