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Conversion Tools, tips and tricks

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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 10:12 AM
  #1  
dieselJon's Avatar
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From: Dixon, IL
Conversion Tools, tips and tricks

What kind of tools are needed to do a conversion? I have:

Ratcheting SAE and Metric combo wrenches (Sizes 9/32-3/4 and 8mm-17mm)
Combo Wrenches (Ignition size little buggers to 2.5")
Various Sockets (1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive)
Torque wrench
Air compressor and tools (3/8" air ratchet, 1/2" air impact, blow gun, Air chisel, dremel)
4.5" Hand grinder (grinding wheel and steel brush)
Torch set (Dads Xmas present)
Welders (Small Sear wire feed and Lincoln stick welder AC-DC variable)
Assorted hammers and mallets (12oz Ball peen, 16oz Claw, 3# Mini Sledge<- My personal blacksmith hammer )
Assorted Screw drivers (small slotted and philips to large ones that I really dont think we use)
Allen wrenches, SAE and Metric
Various wiring
Very few Torx bit wrenches

Anything else?

Jon
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 10:17 AM
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From: Cresson/Stephenville Texas
Did you find something to convert or you doing the burb?
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 10:21 AM
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If you are meaning an engine swap, such as putting a Cummins where something else used to be, the best tool to use is located between your ears.

I don't know when it got so trendy to start calling engine swaps "conversions", when people have been doing engine swaps for years; now, they label it with a big three-dollar word "conversion" and it suddenly gets all technical and way over everybody's head.


Just what engine are you putting in what vehicle ??

http://www.Cummins-Conversion.com


With a little reading, just about anything you need to know can be found there.
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 10:27 AM
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From: York County Nebraska
Originally Posted by BearKiller
I don't know when it got so trendy to start calling engine swaps "conversions", when people have been doing engine swaps for years; now, they label it with a big three-dollar word "conversion" and it suddenly gets all technical and way over everybody's head.

I mentioned to a fella at the local NAPA that I plan to toss a 6BT in my 1985 Crew Cab and he said "That should be a nice conversion"

All I could think of to respond was.. "Well it will still be a 1985 Crew Cab...not like it will become a Ferrari"
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 12:54 PM
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From: Oak Lawn, IL
Sounds like you have everything you should need. Being able to fab up and weld little odds and ends Is what you need to be able to do. A few years back i swaped a 3.8 buick motor into a Chevette. Came out very well. Measure and test fit 3 times cut and weld once. Lots of thinking.
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 01:54 PM
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From: Dixon, IL
Yep the Burb is gonna get a heart transplant.

I have been there a lot BearKiller but they do not have anything for the 8x-87 body style. Plus it seems like they try to help autoworld a lot. JMO.

Sorry for calling it a conversion. How about a swap?

Thanks for the tips guys!

Jon
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 06:21 PM
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From: Cresson/Stephenville Texas
IF Im not mistaken theres a thread by bearkiller called '1st Gen. Conversions' lol. Just messing with yall. What tranny/axles etc. are you gonna run Jon?
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 06:34 PM
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From: Dixon, IL
A518 and what ever the junk yard has that is better than 4.10's
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by rbrettctd
IF Im not mistaken theres a thread by bearkiller called '1st Gen. Conversions'


Oh my gosh, there is ain't there; could that mean that I'm getting a touch of oldtimers ??

My mind has been poisoned.
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Old Jan 12, 2008 | 11:38 PM
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I view my engine "swap" as a "conversion" since there was a whole lot more involved than just swaping engines. There was also a transmission, clutch and moving and adapting the transfercase, swaping the front axel, building drivelines and motor mounts, cutting boxing and moving cross members. Wiring and re-wiring. Rebuilding the trany hump cover, adding and re-routing fuel lines.....I could go on. If you are going from a gas burner to a oil burner there is more involved than a "swap"
Thanks to all the guys that have helped me with my converswap.
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