Thread: Putting a chev 350 in a rangie, documenting it all!

Hay all,
Thanks tron! It's going well. Ok so it's now running, there still some things to do but here's more pics.
Hooked up PCv valve, vac advance, spark plug leads. Used a mec 723 coil.

So for wiring the coil, there's a 3 prong plug that went to the old coil and module. It's the white wire. There's 2 white ones, the other one has a black traser. You can check it by using a multimeter, with ignition on, it's the only one with 12v - handy!
This wire goes to the positive side of the coil. We mounted the coil next to the windscreen washer bottle, I wanted to keep it away from the heat. Standard units bolt to the inlet manifold.
And thats it, the wiring to get the engine to run is done. Next is tachometer, temp, oil gauges.
This tachometer never worked but ill give it a go before I use an aftermarket job.

Other jobs is still interior, gauge wiring, wiring for thermo fans, alternator wiring.

Cheers Nat

More pics
This one shows more plumbing done, brake booster etc.
Cheers Nat

hay all,
Well it ran and very well, and we have had the first drive, and WOW!!!! IF you think a rangie could never have enough power to churp a 35 simex you would be right, but a 350 does!! I couldn't believe it. they just have so much torque. I know I sound surprised and I was. I have a 4.6 in my rangie and this just ****s on it! And a fantastic sound to match.
The engine itself is stock, just good carb and upgraded ignition/coil. I've wired up all the gauges (except tacho)and they all seem to work. I cant remember the colours. I'll take a pick and post. I have added a pick of coil wiring. Cant really tell much from this. We used a MEC 723 Bosch coil. perfect for this app, and yes we are running EI from Scorcher.

The next pic is a accelerator cable linkage, yep, I cheated, I bought one, for $50 landed off ebay. It took me 20 min to set up and make perfect, I know thats alot for a bracket but time/money/time/time= no brainer. This made the auto kickdown and accelerator cable hell easy.
oh you best use a disco 3.9 accel cable, they are a longer and therefore easier to use. A bit of mucking around to get them to fit the the body side. but worth it.

Next is to finish off engine bay by trimming bonnet to fit air cleaner and the other snorkel and plumbing. We have used a jeggs twin outlet aircleaner and modified it to make it water tight. It is slightly hitting the bonnet so we have to modify the base plate. or raise the bonnet a touch. If you have a body lift you don't need to worry about this part.
AND
Finish off interior. It is now an auto so we are going to use a standard auto console. other things to do is fit an Auto oil cooler, a Huge one.

Well that s enough for tonight.
Cheers NAT

Shhhh, you'll upset the purists

Originally Posted by rovercare

Shhhh, you'll upset the purists

Coming from someone who has crossed to the darkside

Originally Posted by rovercare

Shhhh, you'll upset the purists

The ones who enjoy dropped liners, oil pumps that won't prime, head gasket replacements, distributor problems, camshaft wear, $5k long motors?

Or the ones who think someone will die if they upset the 'balance' of the original package?

cheers, DL

Originally Posted by rangieman

Coming from someone who has crossed to the darkside

Yep, not minding it either

Originally Posted by 350RRC

The ones who enjoy dropped liners, oil pumps that won't prime, head gasket replacements, distributor problems, camshaft wear, $5k long motors?

Or the ones who think someone will die if they upset the 'balance' of the original package?

cheers, DL

Hehe