Posted by Brian in Oregon on June 23, 2000 at 11:51:08:
In Reply to: Re: R.Davis - Ray just did a 360/NP435 conversion on a WDX. posted by R.Davis on June 23, 2000 at 09:49:34:
Your post sounded to me that you thought a 360 would not fit at all. Sorry if I misunderstood what you were trying to say.
Having two bad knees myself, it is beyond me how a cramped engine compartment and an uncramped engine compartment have any bearing on knee problems. You still have to lean over the fenders or climb in or crawl under to work on it. But then, your knee may well be in far worse shape than mine, since I can still operate a clutch.
Yes, A V-6 would have merit for room. But for a truck that heavy, the V-6, in my opinion, is underpowered. In my opinion, the V-6 is suitable for perhaps the 1/2 ton WC's, not the later, heavier PW's. (Not counting the 3.8L Chevy V-6, which is quite a strong motor.) One possibility might be the Ford 300 six. I prefer them over the Slant 6. I've long since forgotten the length, so some research would be in order. The drawback is that it would require a divorced transfer case, since Dodge and Ford have their front axle driveshafts on opposite sides.
As a suggestion, if you are concerned about maximum access to the engine compartment, why not convert to a tilt front end? I saw a PW converted thus, and it was pretty nice. Though heavy. A variation would be to hinge the fenders like the big Dodge dump trucks from the 1960's. They were easy to work on once the fenders were swung forward. Obviously originality is not an issue since you are considering a repower and a different trans and transfer case.
Other than the above, I'm at a loss for how to make an early PW easier to work on. There is simply a lot of heavy sheetmetal in your way.