48 Desoto...Motor going in...

[thrashingcows]

Well been busy working on Fernando the last week or so. Running out of time to get the motor and tranny in, and get it running before May, when it goes into summer hibernation and the wagon comes home.

So after the old motor came out I was looking and trying to figure out the best way to get the new motor and bellhousing combo into the car. I figured it would be easiest if I pulled the RH side fender, grille and other misc parts. That way I could swing the motor in mostly level and feed it down and into the engine bay.

Here it is missing the said front end pieces....

[thrashingcows]

Now the motor going in. It went in fairly easily.

Only problem was the Alternator was hitting the support bracket for the battery tray on the LH inner fender...sawzall took care of that.

[thrashingcows]

So now I had to figure out just what I needed to do to mount the old rear engine mount assembly into it's new location. The frame was already drilled for the new location...Lucky me!! So all I did was find some matching 3/8 bolts with captured washers from my buckets of misc bolts...and then tap the holes to the right thread.

Had to open the holes in the bracket a little with a rat file to allow the 3/8 bolts to go through. And then trim off the lip that was welded to the frame in the old location. Since in the new location the bracket is actually mounted up higher. But once that was done they bolted up fine.

[thrashingcows]

Now the real fun began. Seems the old rear engine mount spacing was about 1/2" wider on the old fluid drive vs the new manual 3 speed bellhousing. So I had to cut the mount down the middle.

Then remove about 1/4" from each piece...using my vise and my sawzall...no band saw for me. The trial fit it, remove it and grind off a little here and a little there...a few times

Then mount it for the last time, square it up and tack weld it.

[thrashingcows]

Then once the center part was secure and mounted to the bellhousing I could figure out how much I needed to remove from the sides to make it line up with the stubs that were secured to the frame rails. Turned out I needed a little help to position the motor....it was sagging back on the front engine mount. SO I hooked up a small ratchet strap, and with the help of a small floor jack and the engine hoist I was able to position the motor perfectly.

Then it was remove another 1/4" from each side of the big center piece...again with the vice and sawzall..and hope for the best. Actually went in fairly well...here it is tacked and ready for removal and final welding.

[thrashingcows]

Here's the mount just tacked together...

All welded up....

And painted and installed....

And here's Fernando with it's new motor. No idea how long it's been since it has had a motor that could run in there?

....Now the fun to bring things to life begin.

[Frank Elder]

Good work!! I can't wait to see how that hybrid dizzy works out for you.

[oldodge41]

Looking good.

[martybose]

I hope it's just the lighting, but that picture of the alternator sure looks to me like it is not aligned well. It looks like it is turned to the right a bit, which is a good way to throw a belt at the worst possible time .....

Marty

[thrashingcows]

I will double check the alignment. I thought I had it pretty straight while working on the brackets...might be the loose belt and lighting..??

[wayfarer]

The easiest way to check sheave alignment is with a piece of 3/8" round stock...bend at 90deg; one leg about 6-8" long and the other, longer, leg needs to extend past whatever sheave you are checking.

Place the 'elbow' on the crank or w/p sheave (with contact at 2 points) and then rotate toward the next one.

Any mis-alignment will be obvious.

[thrashingcows]

The easiest way to check sheave alignment is with a piece of 3/8" round stock...bend at 90deg; one leg about 6-8" long and the other, longer, leg needs to extend past whatever sheave you are checking.

Place the 'elbow' on the crank or w/p sheave (with contact at 2 points) and then rotate toward the next one.

Any mis-alignment will be obvious.

Thanks for the info on proper alignment method. I looked at it again and it is definitely out. I was trying to use the stock generator lower mount...but it obviously is not set up for an alternator.

Will probably have to build something from scratch...or heavily modify the stock bracket.

[Frank Elder]

If you are nice to Don C. he will post a picture of his alt. bracket:)

[Adam H P15 D30]

Only problem was the Alternator was hitting the support bracket for the battery tray on the LH inner fender...sawzall took care of that.

I had to trim my battery bracket back a bit also to clear my alternator. Still really close but never hits.

Oh and by the way...... Check that fan for cracks CAREFULLY!!!

Edited March 7, 2012 by Adam H P15 D30

[Don Coatney]

The factory bracket will work IF you add a couple of pieces to the lower alternator connecting point as pictured below. This in effect re-positions the bottom of the alternator moving the top of the alternator closer to the engine and giving battery box clearance. I installed a 53 Desoto engine into a 1948 P-15. I used a skinny belt as pictured. This setup gave me ample flexability for belt adjustment. Once set I have not made any adjustments in over 40,000 miles.

[thrashingcows]

Thanks for the info, and pics!!

I think I might have a solution to my problem...but need a few days to work on it. As for a battery...I'm putting mine in the trunk, so don't need clearance for the battery tray.

And yes I will check my fan for cracks...