Hi all,
Well I have actually finally started on the swap! As I go along I aim to post a step by step guide which at the end can hopefully be condensed into a "How To". Will include all the problems I come up against and how I get round them, but hopefully there won't be too many, so hold on tight here we go!....
Oh by the way I'm over in the U.K so if I use any odd sounding terms you know why as some things are called by different names over here.My van is a 1979 Dodge B200, 318 engine and 4 square headlights.
First thing to do before touching anything is take a load of measurements around the propshaft (driveshaft)
I got my hands on a really handy device called an "Inclineometer" which made measuring the angle of the propshaft really easy as it has a magnetic base. Attached my handwritten drawing showing what measurements I took but obviously yours will have different values.
Here's the inclinometer
First job was to remove the propshaft which was really easy to do. At the rear of the van it is only held on by 4 small bolts, two either side, remove all 4 bolts and the 2 half shells. Then carefully lever the propshaft forward and it will come away. NOTE the caps on the UJ can come off as you will see "I left one behind"!! in the photo shown by red arrow.
Luckily for me the needles inside hadn't moved so I pushed it back on, decided then it was time to cable tie them on. Key learning here was that I Would recommend securing them before prying the propshaft forward. Right thats all for now, next post soon!
Hope you enjoy the post.
Mark