302 Conversion, Part II 94 XLT

[Gofast]

Update time.....

Well, my last post on this was 6-6-2001. Yes over a year ago.

Still not finished. But there is progress.

First we mounted a custom radiator under the front radiator support. This allowed room for standard accesories on the motor. Using a flex fan for cooling. Clearnces are/were very tight. We shaved the Fan spacer down 1/2" for clearance on the radiator. This gave us room for the radiator and fan blade clearance but unfortunatly the fan blades now hit the fan belts.

Back to the drawing board. Spend money ( $800 ) on new front accesorie kit or move the radiator another 1" forward? We went the fabrication route and have moved the radiator forward 1". I plan to take some pictures of it this weekend to post next week.

Wiring harness is installed and most everything else is complete. Had to do some fabricating for the Air Pump tubes to clear things as well. All in all there is not much left to do.

Of course everytime I get to this point something else happens. Yes, Layoffs are looming at work again so not much time or money is being focused on my truck. Hoping to join the Locals at the Slabs soon and maybe even Tellico? ( I know it want be ready, but I still dream about it )

Thanks Rob

 

[VonZipper]

It sounds as though you have been having real troubles.
I used a Schucks oil relocation kit I bought at their store. It comes with straight fittings, so I just had to buy 90 degree nipples.

I put a new 2 core Chevy s-10 radiator in mine. I took off the grill, measured and cut out the core support to be about the same size as my radiator. I then put a dual b-cool electric fan setup in it. I have not had a single problem with either one of the parts I put in. the oil relocation has not dropped a single drop of oil, and the engine runs cool with the radiator and fans. They came with the t-stat controls, so I never have to worry.

Oh yeah, mine is a 351w, so it was a little closer to everything than the 302 was. I put in a 302 to first only to find out it had a cracked cylinder.

So now, my radiator is in the front of the core support, with the grill reinstalled. You cannot tell that anything was ever touched.

I went with a carbed engine. So, all the computer crap all came out. The only functionality that I lost was the electric shift 4x4 and my anti lock. The electric shift was easy enough to fix, but I have not figured out the anti lock stuff yet, and do not really see me trying to hard anytime soon. My rig pretty much only plays in the mountains, so I do not need to go from 80 to 0 on asphalt very often.


I did all the work, with friends, and I would imagine I only spent 1200.00 or so. The most expensive parts were the radiator and the fans.

 

[Gofast]

Roadtrip

Well, It looks like this Friday I will be making a trip North to pick-up my truck. No it's not finished yet. I will finish the truck here. My friend that was working on it is going in for more foot surgery and he will not be able to finish the project.

That's fine with me, because I want my truck finished. So I'll do it myself. Pictures to be posted later this weekend.

Thanks Rob

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

So Rob do you think you will have it ready for the Slabs in October?

 

[Gofast]

Slabs.....

Ready for the slabs? Probable not...But I'll try.
I had zero chance of getting finished in Claremore. Even if he wasn't on crutches, hunting season's are coming up and He is an avid hunter. He would not miss chance to kill critters to work on my truck.

So, after I get it back and see eactly how much is left to finish I'll let you know if the Slabs are a reality.

I'm hoping to be there. I want to see some of the Demon 4X4 set-ups in person.

Thanks Rob

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

I am in a rush to get the Explorer ready for the Slabs as well. Once I get the Tranny back in the Truck. The Rest of the work is gearing it with the 5.13 gears and a few odds and ends.

 

[VonZipper]

What is the slabs?

 

[GJarrett]

Originally posted by Kris Guilbeaux
So Rob do you think you will have it ready for the Slabs in October?

We asked that very same question a year ago, didn't we?

Or was it two years ago, LOL

 

[Randall]

Originally posted by VonZipper
What is the slabs?

The Slabs is a favored wheeling spot in central Texas, about 90 miles west of Austin.

Here is the link to the trail run thread:
Dead Link Removed

And here's a place I like to go to get info on Texas Trails:
Demon4x4.com/tx4x4.htm#SLAB

 

[VonZipper]

thanks Mudd *****.

I am in Washington state, so I do not see my exploder being down there soon. Could be fun though it sounds.