A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
#2
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Car: 1989 Formula 350 LSX
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Transmission: Stage II 4L60e, Vigilante 3200
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
Good question, but I am pretty sure I'll have to pull my K-member for the pan replacement anyway...
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
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Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
With the engine installed?
Having done two, with the K-member in the car but engine out, I can't imagine trying to do it with the engine in.
Now, one member did remove the K-member without removing the engine/trans (switching to tubular K-member, if memory serves), so you might want to consider that option. The engine was held up with a bar across the strut towers & chain.
Having done two, with the K-member in the car but engine out, I can't imagine trying to do it with the engine in.
Now, one member did remove the K-member without removing the engine/trans (switching to tubular K-member, if memory serves), so you might want to consider that option. The engine was held up with a bar across the strut towers & chain.
#6
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Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
With the engine installed?
Having done two, with the K-member in the car but engine out, I can't imagine trying to do it with the engine in.
Now, one member did remove the K-member without removing the engine/trans (switching to tubular K-member, if memory serves), so you might want to consider that option. The engine was held up with a bar across the strut towers & chain.
Having done two, with the K-member in the car but engine out, I can't imagine trying to do it with the engine in.
Now, one member did remove the K-member without removing the engine/trans (switching to tubular K-member, if memory serves), so you might want to consider that option. The engine was held up with a bar across the strut towers & chain.
Mike
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Car: 1989 RS Camaro
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Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
I'm assuming your swapping in a LT1 like me....I have a 89 RS I'm swappin a 95' 9C1 cop car LT1 into....its has a oversized a/c compressor....and iits mounted bottom right on the system...which means w/out modification i'd have to notch the K member. However...**** that ****....I found that swapping to a lt1 vette' acc. mounting bracket relocates the a/c to the top right...solving all my problems. I'm just saying whatever setup you have....just seriously research it before you do uneccessary frame mods.....good luck man!
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#11
Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
Negative. LS motor. And I'm not swapping it in, the motor has been in the car for 5 years.
Thanks everybody, I plan on doing it with the motor in and not dropping the K-member. I have a nice 90 degree cut-off wheel tool that I was planning on using, but I may snag a plasma cutter from a friend and use that if need be.
Thanks everybody, I plan on doing it with the motor in and not dropping the K-member. I have a nice 90 degree cut-off wheel tool that I was planning on using, but I may snag a plasma cutter from a friend and use that if need be.
#12
Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
Just as a follow-up. I did the notch with the motor installed...wasn't hard at all. I pulled the bolt out of the mount on that side and jacked the motor up about 2 inches so it rolled up and over. I used a 90 degree cut-off tool. Took about 20 mins to cut it out.
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Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
Did you flip the cut out piece over & use it to weld the cut out closed? Or did you fab up a new filler piece?
#14
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Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
Yeah I read a bunch about cutting it...but what about welding it back up? Ya'll did weld it back up right? haha.
I vote drop the k-member. Invest in one of these...Comes in handy plenty.
While the k-member is down, and your cutter/welder is warm, notch for the oil pan. You might not need the notch...but you might. And it'll save you a ton of time if you just do it all at once and get the k-member sealed back up and painted.
Just my opinion...can def see being able to do it in the car. At least the cutting out part.
J.
I vote drop the k-member. Invest in one of these...Comes in handy plenty.
While the k-member is down, and your cutter/welder is warm, notch for the oil pan. You might not need the notch...but you might. And it'll save you a ton of time if you just do it all at once and get the k-member sealed back up and painted.
Just my opinion...can def see being able to do it in the car. At least the cutting out part.
J.
#15
Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
No, I didn't flip the part I cut out over and reuse it...I thought about it, and actually fitted it into the spot and was suprised how close it was to filling the hole. I wanted to add some extra bracing down into the k-member so I made my own pieces.
Lol..welding is the easy part.
Lol..welding is the easy part.
#16
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Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
I cant say I 100% remember how much room there was come to think about it. I never had the motor in place without the compressor pre-notch cutting. I suppose with the compressor out of the way, and even the bracket, you'd have a good bit of room.
Ide still rather do it with the kmember out but I hate doing things, especially welding, in tight spaces. And like I said, if I ever do another swap, ill be notching for the oil pan right off the bat. In fact...Ide probably ditch the A/C and just notch for the pan. haha.
Either way that gets the job done works!
J.
Ide still rather do it with the kmember out but I hate doing things, especially welding, in tight spaces. And like I said, if I ever do another swap, ill be notching for the oil pan right off the bat. In fact...Ide probably ditch the A/C and just notch for the pan. haha.
Either way that gets the job done works!
J.
#17
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Car: 1989 Formula 350 LSX
Engine: 5.3, 234/228 cam
Transmission: Stage II 4L60e, Vigilante 3200
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
I 'spose I'll remove my K member and do it, It would be nice to have some one reweld it with skill, unless a little flux welder can do the job. I might go ahead and have mine powder coated as well. Must have AC lol
#18
Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
I cant say I 100% remember how much room there was come to think about it. I never had the motor in place without the compressor pre-notch cutting. I suppose with the compressor out of the way, and even the bracket, you'd have a good bit of room.
Ide still rather do it with the kmember out but I hate doing things, especially welding, in tight spaces. And like I said, if I ever do another swap, ill be notching for the oil pan right off the bat. In fact...Ide probably ditch the A/C and just notch for the pan. haha.
Either way that gets the job done works!
J.
Ide still rather do it with the kmember out but I hate doing things, especially welding, in tight spaces. And like I said, if I ever do another swap, ill be notching for the oil pan right off the bat. In fact...Ide probably ditch the A/C and just notch for the pan. haha.
Either way that gets the job done works!
J.
#19
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No cutting/welding required:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camar...item4cf36b0a6f
You will have to buy a new compressor.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camar...item4cf36b0a6f
You will have to buy a new compressor.
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Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
With the engine installed?
Having done two, with the K-member in the car but engine out, I can't imagine trying to do it with the engine in.
Now, one member did remove the K-member without removing the engine/trans (switching to tubular K-member, if memory serves), so you might want to consider that option. The engine was held up with a bar across the strut towers & chain.
Having done two, with the K-member in the car but engine out, I can't imagine trying to do it with the engine in.
Now, one member did remove the K-member without removing the engine/trans (switching to tubular K-member, if memory serves), so you might want to consider that option. The engine was held up with a bar across the strut towers & chain.
#21
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Car: 1989 Formula 350 LSX
Engine: 5.3, 234/228 cam
Transmission: Stage II 4L60e, Vigilante 3200
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: A/C K-member notch with motor in car?
Certainly can't count on ARD to do it lol! I will probably try the bar idea or go with the PA racing K member. I'm just afraid the pan will be too exposed with a tubular K member, I already cracked 1 pan, a second would be brutal.
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