Navy nuke building a baja for Play/Race

hadn't really planned out the front end. its a widened beam with towers now, but hadn't really decided on much else. won't be able to afford to do much to the front for a while. thanks for the tip though

from the first few pics, it looks like your motor isn't held up by anything but the trans. is it?
also, does anyone know how the ride is without having 3x3's or bigger trailing arms?
i've found a running motor, an adaptor plate and have the money, what else is neccesary or what have you done to make things work?

the motor has solid mounts to the rear bumper cage work. its very solid.

if you want to come look at it, feel free I'm off work tuesday so anytime is good. Mine doesn't even have the factory horns for the trans anymore. still running stock trailing arms, not sure how it will drive, as I havn't had it running since I got it. although it is getting closer every day.

got almost all the wires run today, dash stuff is only partway hooked up, but waiting on a few things for that.

then I need to finish putting together the passenger side CV, bleed the brakes/clutch, and fire it up. see if the carb needs a rebuild or not.

Ken

nube_w_1970baja wrote:

from the first few pics, it looks like your motor isn't held up by anything but the trans. is it?
also, does anyone know how the ride is without having 3x3's or bigger trailing arms?
i've found a running motor, an adaptor plate and have the money, what else is neccesary or what have you done to make things work?

The added weight on your torsion bars is going to be the biggest issue. You may run into bending issues with stock (unboxed) rear trailing arms too if you beat on it too much. Beefier torsion bars are definitely going to be needed due to the added engine weight.

engine mount to cage

and trans mount, with boxed trailing arms.

no clue what torsions are in it, planning on 3x3 and coilovers, but gotta get it running first, and keep looking for some used parts.

ok, need some more advice, I'm getting ready to mount the fuel cell, should the outlet on it be towards the front or the rear? towards the front I'll put in a cutoff valve either way where I can reach it. less fuel line pointed forward, but don't want to have fuel delivery issues.

running an RCI fuel cell setup from summit racing, 16 gallon size.

thanks again for all the help guys.

Ken

Does that engine setup utilize an electric fuel pump, or what? If it's not, the height of your cell relative to engine height may be an issue to consider. Bear in mind I know nothing about 2.3 Fords other than many came from ugly little cars that had a tendency to explode.

As for your torsions- can you see any numbers stamped on the visible end of the torsion? My SAW 28mm bars have "1228" stamped on the ends, which is the model number. Might help...

I don't see any numbers etched in the torsions? and if I need some what size? almost not worth it if I want to slap 3x3s and coilovers on it.

Yes I have an electric fuel pump under the the fuel cell. going to put the cutoff valve between the tank and the pump.

update, just talked to prior owner, and the rear torsions were replaced with larger ones, but the guy before him did it. so they arn't stock, but not sure how much bigger they are. gonna get it going and see how the rear end feels.

ugh after breaking the new windshield tonight trying to put it in, anyone who has done it before want to lend a hand this weekend?

Ken

ok, need some more advice on brakes. I had one bad wheel cyl. in the rear, and the brake line broke off the hardline.

I have a flair tool, will it work ok, just clean up the end of the tubing, and put a new flair on it? or replace the line?

need at least one new wheel cyl. and brake pads too.

can't wait till I get to the front end of the car and find out whats broken in those brakes.

good news is I found my fuel cell has a level sender in it, so I just need a 0-90 ohm gauge and I'll have a gas gauge. and the wiring harness is half way tucked into conduit and ziptied into place.

well got the rear brakes mostly done..., having wheel bearing issues now.

I installed the door panels, cut a new dash, cleaned up the wiring harness, put in the fuel cell, and placed speaker box where I think it will go. now i just need some tabs to bolt it to the cage. thinking just clamp type will be fine for the speaker box, anyone have a type they recomend?

and eye candy

aluminum

fuel cell/speakers

wow the wires all bunch up and clean up alright from the nest it looked like yesterday.