FordNut
10-30-2008, 02:05 PM
Tranny got here today:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/5/1/8/tn_CIMG1010.JPG
Already encountered my first few problems:
1. PI assured me the converter would be machined and drilled for both 4-bolt patterns. It isn't. It has bosses and holes for the 6-bolt and 4-bolt truck patterns but the 4-bolt car pattern is a smaller diameter. I checked flexplates, the Lightning flexplate has 6-bolts to the crank, but I have a Cobra 8-bolt crank bolt pattern. The OEM Marauder flexplate I have laying around only has mounting holes for the smaller 4-bolt converter bolt pattern. If I'm lucky the aftermarket SFI flexplate in my car is drilled for both bolt patterns, but I won't know until I pull my tranny out. If not, I'll have to get one drilled & balanced.
2. The dipstick tube will require some customization. The 4R100 has a non-removable dipstick tube stub about 6" long, so I'll have to shorten and possibly add some bends to the OEM tube so it will slip into the stub and be leak-tight.
3. The cast-in tabs for mountinig the tranny on a stand interfere with the bracket which holds the O2 sensor in place on the driver's side and it looks like it will probably interfere with the flexplate shield. I'll have to chop these off, they're not necessary anyway. There is one toward the back that may have to be cut off in order to clear the tunnel, too.
4. The shift linkage looks like it may not clear the tunnel, I've got a couple of ideas on modifications to it already. The shift cable mounting is going to need some special fab work too, but I had already expected that.
5. The crossmember is going to need more extensive mods than I had expected, maybe to the point of mounting it in the car backward in addition to notching it. Like I said, this thing is huge!
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/5/1/8/tn_CIMG1010.JPG
Already encountered my first few problems:
1. PI assured me the converter would be machined and drilled for both 4-bolt patterns. It isn't. It has bosses and holes for the 6-bolt and 4-bolt truck patterns but the 4-bolt car pattern is a smaller diameter. I checked flexplates, the Lightning flexplate has 6-bolts to the crank, but I have a Cobra 8-bolt crank bolt pattern. The OEM Marauder flexplate I have laying around only has mounting holes for the smaller 4-bolt converter bolt pattern. If I'm lucky the aftermarket SFI flexplate in my car is drilled for both bolt patterns, but I won't know until I pull my tranny out. If not, I'll have to get one drilled & balanced.
2. The dipstick tube will require some customization. The 4R100 has a non-removable dipstick tube stub about 6" long, so I'll have to shorten and possibly add some bends to the OEM tube so it will slip into the stub and be leak-tight.
3. The cast-in tabs for mountinig the tranny on a stand interfere with the bracket which holds the O2 sensor in place on the driver's side and it looks like it will probably interfere with the flexplate shield. I'll have to chop these off, they're not necessary anyway. There is one toward the back that may have to be cut off in order to clear the tunnel, too.
4. The shift linkage looks like it may not clear the tunnel, I've got a couple of ideas on modifications to it already. The shift cable mounting is going to need some special fab work too, but I had already expected that.
5. The crossmember is going to need more extensive mods than I had expected, maybe to the point of mounting it in the car backward in addition to notching it. Like I said, this thing is huge!