Newbie with lots of questions! 62-Uni

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » March 8, 2007, 3:21 pm

Hello out there and let me say I have found a great deal of info looking through the forums.
I have a 62' Unibody that I have owned for the last 20 years. My grandfather bought it new and it has been handed down and down. I have finally decided to do a frame off resto. Here is where I am at- The old 223-6 is tired and outdated so I bought a 1980 302 and mated it to a 88 AOD tranny. I have the front cap off but here is where the headache begins for me. I build custom motorcycles so fabbing and welding is not a problem but, I got the motor mounts from the truck which had the 302 and they seem to be off center as well as the tranny crossmember I got with the AOD. Is that the norm? I was ready to fab my own crossmember and use these mounts but was curious to know if buying a crossmember mount would be better/easier? Basically I was unsure why the mounts were off center. Any help or comments would be appreciated.
Chopper Mike
Here is the link to my build so far- http://photo.tcworks.net/unibody

The Big M · Post by **The Big M** » March 8, 2007, 3:38 pm

Welcome! Nice truck. Looks like you've got some work ahead of you, but it seems to be coming along nicely. That rust is pretty typical, but you've still got plenty of solid metal to work with. Good luck!

There are lots of members who've done the 302 swap. I'm sure someone will be along to assist you shortly...

beagle · Post by **beagle** » March 8, 2007, 3:49 pm

welcome! nice truck and great pics-- I have a 61 uni and your photos are like a how-to section for fixing the typical rust spots. What's the time frame for the repairs you did in the pics? Looking forward to seeing more of your progress.

Rich

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » March 8, 2007, 3:53 pm

So far this is 2 weeks work. I have progressed further but hope to get the pics on in a couple of days. I will be fabbing all the metal myself except for pieces like the cab step which I can graph from a donor cab or buy from carpenter. I hope to have the cab and bed off, repaired and back on in a month or two.
Mike

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » March 8, 2007, 3:56 pm

Hey Mike,
That's gonna make one nice ride. Since you're a bike builder, you are way ahead of a lot of us on the metal repair. The old six looks like it was under water for years

. The engine swap is pretty easy and one of the more common swaps. Some of the guys that have done these since I have will chime in and tell you stuff I have forgotten.

I remember the last 302/auto conversion we did. When the guy drove the truck, he swore we added power steering. Good luck!!!
Jim

Bills 66 · Post by **Bills 66** » March 8, 2007, 3:57 pm

I am not sure which mount you have obtained, but most of the Ford truck engines are offset to the passenger side of the vehicle. Look at your picture # 36 it shows the indent in your firewall is also off set, so is the transmission tunnel in the cab. There is less floor board on the pass. side than the drivers side.
Nice truck, Finding a tail gate in that condition is rare. Good luck with your build.
Bill

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » March 8, 2007, 4:06 pm

I did notice the offset hump. I was curious if these trucks had two size humps for 6 or 8. I was unsure but I knew my headers would possibly be in the way if I centered the engine.

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » March 8, 2007, 4:12 pm

Hey Mike, all us Slicksters are a little off center..............

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » March 8, 2007, 4:44 pm

I guess I was a little off-center also!

66fordtrucknut · Post by **66fordtrucknut** » March 8, 2007, 5:17 pm

Nice! Welcome to the club, I have a 62' also.
Charlie

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » March 8, 2007, 7:10 pm

I can't believe you're not gonna rebuild that 6 banger!

Was that truck underwater sometime in it's past?
Other than the engine, it looks like you've got yourself a pretty decent project there. Enjoy yourself!

BTW, that steering wheel...I bet that was a real joy to parallel park!

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » March 8, 2007, 8:15 pm

It wasn't under water, Best I can tell it came from condensation from The place I had it stored for the last few years. I rebuilt that engine when I was 18, 38 now so its time for some more muscle.

FORDMANLCRACKEL · Post by **FORDMANLCRACKEL** » March 8, 2007, 9:10 pm

Welcome

Looks like a good start. Rust is in the normal places and about the right amount. The black and white dog in the last pic. wouldent be named Chopper would he/she?The motor is offset to the right (passenger side) to clear the steering box and shaft.

Lonnie

Choppermike · Post by **Choppermike** » March 8, 2007, 9:18 pm

Yep thats Chopper the shop dog! Only one problem he loves to carry my bolts, nuts and sockets off!

62 UNI · Post by **62 UNI** » March 11, 2007, 12:26 am

Welcome ChopperMike,

I'm a 62 Uni owner too.

Best of luck........bag the 6 & plant some V-8 in that baby!

Paul

61 Merc · Post by **61 Merc** » March 11, 2007, 12:37 am

Truck looks pretty solid, nothing better than a short uni. Hopefully we can both have our units on the road about the same time.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » March 11, 2007, 12:45 am

All ford trucks , at least before the plastic era, had the engine offset to the passengers side. Best O luck , looks like you got a good one to start with, and yes, there ain't anything like a short uni.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » March 11, 2007, 10:02 am

Hi Mike.
Glad to have another straight axle man around. Right phRed?
Take a look at my photo album and you'll get some ideas on how to put some grunt in your engine compartment.
Mine's a '63 standard cab but the chassis is exactly the same as your Uni.
Remember, the only thing that out runs cubic inches is cubic money

Just ask FordboyPete about that.
Glad to have you and your questions.
U@ss

Newbie with lots of questions! 62-Uni

Newbie with lots of questions! 62-Uni

Time frame

Offset