I have finally started on my 4-door Chevy conversion! The original plan was for twin turbos (amongst other upgrades), but plans have changed and I just want to get it running and drive it. I have a stock 1997 12V Cummins just sitting so I'm putting it in while I gather parts and build my other motor. I have a ZF6 with a NP271 that will be going in it.

 

I towed it to the shop, pushed it onto the lift, and proceeded to remove the core support. The previous owner had a 502 in it, but I had plans for a diesel so he removed his powertrain before I bought it.

 

The 12 valve is out at a 97 Dodge with an auto, so it is rated at 180 HP. That will change once I get it running. Don't worry, I'm not going to put it in my truck all grimey and oil soaked. I have a new oil pan gasket and front and rear main seals. I will check on the killer dowel pin while I'm in the front timing cover. I haven't decided whether to replace the tappet cover seal with OEM, or buy a billet cover that uses an o-ring. I had a bad experience with a fel-pro tappet cover seal in the past so I'm leaning towards a billet cover.

 

I wanted to do a quick mock up of where the engine would sit. I have read plenty of Chevy conversion threads where they had to remove the AC compressor to clear the frame, yet I tried to sit my engine in with it attached (it was late and I was trying to make it quick). I removed it and the engine mounts and set it in. It was sitting on the edges of the frame where the lower motor mount bolt goes. The 47RE bellhousing adapter looked like it might be a tight fit, and my ZF6 adapter is more round on the top, so I guess I will keep the ugly 3" body lift. I still have a little room to lower the engine so I hope that makes up for the shape of the transmission tunnel vs the shape of the transmission.

 

My plans for next weekend are to trim the frame (approximately where the red lines are) and to sort out the wiring harness so it doesn't run between the engine and the firewall. I need all the room I can get between the fan and the radiator.

 

Well I ran into some issues with my transmission. Even with a 3" body lift my transmission won't fit without tunnel modifications. There is a bigger issue though, the extra length of the 6 speed puts my transfercase right where my torsion bar cross member is. I decided that making the 6 speed work was more work than I wanted to do so I am going to put a NV4500 in it instead. That also solves my speed sensor issue as I can use the factory speed sensor in the transfercase. The NP271 didn't have a speed sensor on it. I already have a NV4500, but it needs a rebuild.




I bought #60 valve springs with a 3K-4K GSK kit, and ended up getting the billet tappet cover.

 

I did get the motor mount brackets cut, and "massaged" the pinch weld on the transmission tunnel. There is quite a bit of space for the dodge bellhousing adapter.

 

Well I didn't get much done on my truck this weekend. I did tear into the NV4500 I had but wasn't happy with what I saw. It looks like it has gear rattle damage to almost every gear. It's hard to see in the pictures, but you can feel how rough it is with a pick.