Engine & tranny combo question

[1nathan]

I need to replace the 360 in my '87 J10. It has the 727 auto behind it. I found what is believed to be a 79 360 with about 20k miles since rebuild. It had the TH 400 behind it. Will the '79 engine bolt right up to my 727 with out any other mods? If not, what is different between them?
Thanks.
Nathan

[andy d]

pretty much a direct bolt in. the 79 engine should have a pilot bearing that needs to be removed because it will harm the 727. you may need the 87 flex plate too. not entirely sure about the exhaust manifolds either.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

You will need to use the manifolds from your rig. I believe your 87 has the Mitsubushi Starter, you will need to swap in the one from the donor rig as the one you need for the pre 87 motor is the Ford style starter. A little minor rewireing will be neccessary. There are some differances on the alt. you will need to drill out the bottom bolt hole on the Alt. as the mounting bolt is a larger bolt on the 79. All minor stuff. ;)

[andy d]

the 87 flexplate should bolt to the earlier engine,thus allowing you to use the existing starter setup in the 87

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Yup you are right, not enough Coffee this morning. I had used a pre Chryco flexplate on mine, when I dropped a 79 engine into my 89 thus needing the Ford Style starter. :rolleyes:

[1nathan]

I had heard that the crank ends were different between the different years. Thats where the difference was, but this was unconfirmed.
The '87 has the Ford starter. Does this mean I do not need to change the flex plates?
The bolt pattern on the back of the block is the same for the 727 and the TH400?
Sound too good to be true !
Thanks everyone.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I would put a new Flexplate on, if I were doing it. However you will need to use the flexplate from your 87 or the new replacement if you decide to buy a new flexplate. The Flex plate from the 79 motor will not bolt to the torque converter in your 87. The only thing you will need to do is pull the bushing out of the end of the crank of the 79 motor. Everything else is a bolt up bell housing bolt patterns are the same. ;)

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I would put a new Flexplate on, if I were doing it. However you will need to use the flexplate from your 87 or the new replacement if you decide to buy a new flexplate. The Flex plate from the 79 motor will not bolt to the torque converter in your 87. The only thing you will need to do is pull the bushing out of the end of the crank of the 79 motor. Everything else is a bolt up bell housing bolt patterns are the same. ;)

[oldyellowwagoneer]

That bushing is very thin and blends in well with the crank.Use a die grinder to cut a groove across the face of the bearing then use a punch to peel it inward. DENNIS

[ibnfe]

If you're lucky you can pull that rear crank bushing with a small gearpuller, provided there is enough room on the backside. A dremel also works to cut the groove mentioned above ;)

[joe]

For getting the crank insert out you can also get a piece of wood/dowel rod etc to closly fit inside the insert, pack the hole with grease and get the dowel started into the insert. Smack the end of the dowel with a hammer and the grease will shove the insert out enough to get a hold of it. You "WILL" want to wrap a shop towel around the the bottom of dowel though before you smack it :D

[Crazy_Jeepman]

The Bushing we are talking about, is not the pilot bearing/bushing for the standard trans. This is a very thin spacer ring in the utmost end of the crank, it is where the torque converter hub sits in the crank. I wanted to point this out in the event one was to pull the pilot bearing/bushing and thinking they have pulled the right one. This spacer ring if left in will RUIN the TF727 transmision. The Grease behind the Pilot bearing and wood dowel, or I use my Clutch alignment tool works very well, Better than a puller even. ;)

[1nathan]

Kewl guys.
Thanks for the advice. I will call the guy tonight and see if I can seal the deal.
Anyone want to buy a slightly burnt '87 Wag?
That is what I was going to use for my engine swap, but this sounds better.

[Bob Barry]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 1nathan:
Kewl guys.
Thanks for the advice. I will call the guy tonight and see if I can seal the deal.
Anyone want to buy a slightly burnt '87 Wag?<hr></blockquote>

Can't use the whole thing, but I could sure use the driver's-side rear axle-shaft! Are you parting out the truck?

[1nathan]

I might have a buyer for the whole thing. If I do end up parting it out, I will let you know. The guy that is interested has another Wag that is in worse shape than the burnt one. If he ends up buying it, I will let him know that you are in need of an axle shaft. He may end up parting out his other one.

[1nathan]

Well, time for an update.
I got the engine and got it all cleaned up. Took off the oil pan. Grungy inside. Not a good sign. Took off the thrust bearing cap and the crank is scored. :(
What a waste of time. At least the guy I bought it from is willing to take it back, so the only thing I am out is the degreaser and my time.
Back to the stand by engine that has 145K miles on it in my cooked parts Wagoneer.
Thanks for all the advise anyway.
Nathan

[kyjman]

Hey guys....heres a little hint to make things a little less messy.....when taking out a pilot bushing....instead of using grease and a dowel to push the bushing out, pack some bread in the bushing and use the dowel. The bread works just as good as the grease and its a whole lot less messy.....I've done it this was and it works....