The CF Bedford
Part 13: The rebuild starts - the mid mounted 350 chev
The only requirement the engineer wanted for the mid mount was a sub frame, over doing it as always I went one step further.
Because the engine was to be mounted behind a Ford 9in diff, the suggested minimum length for a drive shaft was 12inchs (one foot), but this would of put the engine between the front seats.
What was one to do? Change the diff of course. An IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) from a series 3 Jaguar wouldn't require a very long drive shaft at all. In fact it's currently 80mm (3 1/4 inches) long. The front of the motor sits behind the front seats which may prove to be a pain in the butt getting into the back of the van but what the heck, it's different ;).
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The jaguar diff has a slight offset which is a pain but also helps with keeping the motor within six degrees. So the front of the engine is straight and the transmission tail is in line with the diff head which makes a nice five degrees.
It was easier to mount the whole cage in rather than having to make new mounts. The only thing I really changed was the control arms, or stay arms, which I used Holden commodore pan hard rods. |
Here you can see the 350 Chevy motor and transmission (turbo 350) mounted; there is a solid mount above the tail shaft of the trans. In the front of the picture you can see the top of the petrol tank as well. There is no floor yet as I am having trouble finding some exhaust headers, will probably end up making some as they need to go away from the engine instead of down beside it.
This is only the block in this image, the real engine is away being freshened up, once back I can mount it and build the floor around the heads. |
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Here is a better picture of the engine with the heads, manifold and carb on. Excuse the mess :o) The engine will be red when rebuilt with alloy parts and short value covers, not the tall ones as in the picture. Still waiting on headers so can build the floor. Originally the engine mounting was designed to be removed out the bottom, but will probably end up having it come out the top. Hopefully once it's finished it wont ever have to come out again. |
Next - Part 14 - grill and twin headlights
