Mark's rear drive to AWD/4x4 conversion

[AlpineVan]

Being in California, are you planning on getting it refereed for full legal registration as an engine swap? Or do you "know-a-guy" that'll "smog" it?

[markmitch]

Actually I own a home in New Hampshire and it is registered there so no smog needed.

[tungtide]

A true inspiration to follow. I was one of the ones in the beginning to ask can it be done? Now Mark has put the proof in the pudding.

[AstroWill]

Definitely fun to watch. There are at least a handful of them that have been converted and a few Tigers converted to AWD/4x4, though I don't think any of them documented it here.

Glad to see you are getting it done and bringing us along for the ride!

[90safari]

Definitely fun to watch. There are at least a handful of them that have been converted and a few Tigers converted to AWD/4x4, though I don't think any of them documented it here.

Glad to see you are getting it done and bringing us along for the ride!

Agreed. This isn't something you see happen every day. Really enjoying seeing it happen.

[markmitch]

Thanks Guys I am enjoying this project very much myself.

[Brewtus]

Well... we are always excited when his conversations about bands were really cool, too!!
...uh, what?

LOL -

Haha my bad... *these vans are so cool*

[markmitch]

No updates till after the holidays since no parts will come in till then.

[AstroWill]

Being in California, are you planning on getting it refereed for full legal registration as an engine swap? Or do you "know-a-guy" that'll "smog" it?

You don't need registration/inspection/smog/etc when it never leaves the driveway.

What parts are you waiting on?

[markmitch]

the lift shackles, the body lift bolts, & I need to go to Walmart and get the oil, trans fluid and coolant. And I am waiting on money from the 3 ECM's I sold on ebay. By the way It has to be running and drivable by May since we sold this home and are paying new owner rent till she can move in. Seems she is in an unbreakable lease till May.

[MechBob]

Lookin good,Mark.

[markmitch]

I decided since this is the rain season here in NorCal I will wait till I get the upper and lower control arms, and the exhaust parts to even work on it again. I am making the Y pipe myself from bends and elbows from the local parts store and since the frame is not bolted yet it makes sense to do the control arms and exhaust with the frame out. Right now the body is sitting on the frame with the upper body mount bushings in place just to be safe. I am waiting for the upper control arms, one exhaust manifold, poly bushings for the front sway bar, and the local autozone has a few elbows coming in for me too. The lower control arms I have not ordered yet but I will as soon as I get the stimulus check. Thanks for reading-Mark

[markmitch]

OK so because the truck exhaust manifold for the passenger side hits the frame I did some research and found the right side exhaust manifold for the V8 into AWD frame. Here it is :
RH EXHAUST MANIFOLD 5.0L & 5.7L 1985-1986 CHEVROLET 10, 20, 30 Pickup Truck. I got mine from ebay it came in today and the price was $35.00 bucks but now the same part is $55.95 I believe I got a discount due to the holiday season. I took the old manifold off and put this one on and not even close to the frame yet the output is close to the same place. Here is the link for anyone else looking to do this swap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RH-EXHAUST-MAN ... 2749.l2649

P:S -You also need to purchase longer bolts by 1/4 inch

[AstroWill]

That manifold looks like it will fit anything with the way it hugs the block, might not flow the best, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[markmitch]

it fits just fine -however it uses the bolt hole at the back of the heads where there are 3 holes whereas the newer truck manifold uses the middle hole out of the three. And the pipe flange from the newer truck Y pipe is not the same. So I need to find a way to fabricate that part I am thinking I will take the manifold to a exhaust shop to get the end made then weld it to my Y pipe I am making. This is the Y part I am using: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jex-su6-4

[markmitch]

picked this up from someone on facebook for 60.00 bucks!

[sixsix]

Best one I have ever seen.