modifying my steering got some questions

[1980rustang]

So our mustang have the steering rack on front if the cross member and its a pain and since I have a front sump engine and just getting drop bushings won't help so I was thinking changing the rack out and maybe flipping the spindles to the opposite sides to make it a rear steer knuckle is have to measure and check all the geometry but I think this is possible. Anyone see why it wouldn't be able to work? And this site really needs a fabrication section lol

 

[MaximumRisk]

Why don't you look into modifying the oil pan instead? I think it would be a lot less work.

 

[1980rustang]

I have looked into it and its hard trying to find a rear sump pan and pick up for this engine so I was looking into modding the suspension

 

[MaximumRisk]

is it a lot of interference? can you notch the stock pan? can you post a pic to see what you are dealing with?
I just think that it would be harder (maybe even unsafe) to modify the steering to that extent, but see if you can get a pic so we can give you ideas.

 

[1980rustang]

I'm 200 miles away from the car right now so when I get home at 5 30 ill get pics. I might have one on my laptop but I don't think so

 

[1980rustang]

ok well heres the pics a bit late but life happens so here it is im open to suggestions

its mounted but literally sitting on the rack. i wan thinking maybe move the engine back like six inched and notch the firewall a little bit? this would bring the shifter in a more comfortable place and if i move it behind the cross member i can set it in the frame lower and give it a better center of gravity. i have 6 inches behind the engien and the firewall as it site and im not afraid to cut her up

 

[1980rustang]

ok so i would like the shiter closer to me when im sitting and i still have a quite a bit of room behind the engine till it hits the firewall. i think notching the firewall atleast an inch and a half and modifying the oil pan to make it a rear sump would be the best way to go. does anyone think i should do this?

 

[1980rustang]

Bumpp i know there's people who modify these cars here so please will some one chime in?? I know everyone hates me on here but please?!?!?!?!?

 

[1980rustang]

BUMP

 

[MaximumRisk]

front sump= not so good
you are gonna need to customize the pan and the oil pick up tube so that whole setup becomes rear sump or if you wanna go more high end you can do a dry sump system (but of course it can be $$$$) I was going to say just cut some of the front pan off to clear the steering rack but then I noticed that you still have to move the engine way back, that engine is sitting way too forward! so modifying the pan to keep it front sump might be impossible once you set the engine back. Anyways all I'm going on here are the pics you posted so take with grain of salt

 

[adkmach1]

We don't hate you. That's the only thing about putting a different motor in a different car, it can be costly especially modifying parts. Cutting into the firewall might be one way to go but then your going have to modify your drive shaft, but thats cheaper than dry sump pump system. If you cut into the firewall make sure you strength back up. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[1980rustang]

I don't even have a drive shaft for it lol so that's really not that big of a deal

 

[1980rustang]

front sump= not so good
you are gonna need to customize the pan and the oil pick up tube so that whole setup becomes rear sump or if you wanna go more high end you can do a dry sump system (but of course it can be $$$$) I was going to say just cut some of the front pan off to clear the steering rack but then I noticed that you still have to move the engine way back, that engine is sitting way too forward! so modifying the pan to keep it front sump might be impossible once you set the engine back. Anyways all I'm going on here are the pics you posted so take with grain of salt

Yea exactly I can do either or both but I'm thinking I'm gonna cut the firewall since I sit Sooo far back in the car and I might have to modify the crossmember a tiny bit to get The engine to fit and Probly round off the corners of the oil pan a little more

 

[MaximumRisk]

is the nissan bellhousing larger than the ford one? the stock tunnel should be able to accommodate the bellhousing without having to cut into it, no? Ideally the engine should seat so that the bellhousing is just a little forward of the firewall

 

[stanginthe11s]

raise the motor 1/2 inch to get it off the rack, if theres a hood cl. issue then place 1/2 in. spacers between the k frame/ body mount. oil pans are easy to fab, the hardest part is the flanges and you have that already so you can either make a new lower half and make it rear sump or measure for clearance and cut 1/2" off the part that comes in contact with the rack. get a rear sump made up and move the engine back as much as possible without cutting into the firewall. 3 ideas for you that are cheap and easy.

 

[1980rustang]

raise the motor 1/2 inch to get it off the rack, if theres a hood cl. issue then place 1/2 in. spacers between the k frame/ body mount. oil pans are easy to fab, the hardest part is the flanges and you have that already so you can either make a new lower half and make it rear sump or measure for clearance and cut 1/2" off the part that comes in contact with the rack. get a rear sump made up and move the engine back as much as possible without cutting into the firewall. 3 ideas for you that are cheap and easy.

True and thank you I just bought an engine hoist so i really think I'm just gonna make it a rear sump

 

[1980rustang]

is the nissan bellhousing larger than the ford one? the stock tunnel should be able to accommodate the bellhousing without having to cut into it, no? Ideally the engine should seat so that the bellhousing is just a little forward of the firewall

The bell housing is a little bigger and in order to get the engine level I had to notch the floor a little in front of the shifter but it does sit really on and on the rack so that could be why