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In order to add more clarity to the differences between the 1979-83 and 84-up K-member engine mount attachment hole patterns, I'm posting two images here that clearly depict their differences. From a purely visual observation, it looks as though you would need to drill one or two new holes in the driver side engine pedestal, create a square hole in the passenger side pedestal and lengthen both of the motor mount stud receiver slots towards the ground. In addition to those modifications, you would need to remove the tubular braces from the bottom of the 1979-83 K-member.
In order to add more clarity to the differences between the 1979-83 and 84-up K-member engine mount attachment hole patterns, I'm posting two images here that clearly depict their differences. From a purely visual observation, it looks as though you would need to drill one or two new holes in the driver side engine pedestal, create a square hole in the passenger side pedestal and lengthen both of the motor mount stud receiver slots towards the ground. In addition to those modifications, you would need to remove the tubular braces from the bottom of the 1979-83 K-member.
Thanks Todd. However I'm fairly certain those tubular braces are only found on convertible models.
AJE Kmember and their LS Swap motor mounts. Flaming river manual rack and steering shaft. Looks like i would need a few inches to make the steering shaft fit... It looks like if i raised the motor, it would jack up my tranny pinion angle. I got a 4l80 and it is really close to the tranny tunnel right now.
One of the benefits of using the Hooker Blackheart swap system mounting components is that they retain the stock SB Ford offset in the chassis, which allows other components, like the Hooker turbo manifolds to fit like is depicted in the attached images.
The AJE and Team Z K-members and their respective engine mounting brackets are designed around proprietary mounting geometry used by each company that moves the engine closer towards the center of the car and shifts the lateral mounting of the steering rack off the stock centered position also. One of the K-members moves the rack mount position towards the passenger side of the car and the other one moves it towards the driver's side of the car (I don't remember which one goes in which direction). This is presumably done to offer the user more header clearance from information I've come across previously.
Hooker Blackheart does offer engine mounting brackets for the AJE and Team Z K-members that locates the engine in the stock offset position prescribed by the Hooker Blackheart system, but that would require you to also use one of the Hooker Blackheart transmission crossmembers to keep the engine and transmission in proper alignment. Short of that, you could possible make a custom steering shaft that has two u-joints in it and a support brace with a spherical bearing in it to support it.
My brand new LS376/480 is uncrated and on my engine stand. Later today, I'm going to remove the OEM oil pan and start working on installing my Holley 302-3 oil pan. I'm hoping to get the engine in my '91 coupe this weekend......maybe.
I've got the Maximimum Motorsports K member and the Hooker Blackheart 71221013HKR engine mount brackets. The extra holes have been drilled and the mount brackets are in place. I also have a Hooker Blackheart 71222016HKR transmission crossmember for my Tremec T56 Magnum.
My question concerns my Hooker Blackheart 70101350RHKR stainless steel headers; do I install the engine first and then the headers or should I lay the headers in place and then install the engine? The instructions for the headers assume that the engine is already in the car.
The only way I've ever installed the Hooker Blackheart headers is with the engine and trans mounted in the car already, which is why I wrote the instructions to reflect that method. It may very well be just as easy, or easier, to install them along with the engine and K-member together, I just have no way of knowing that to be the case or not. If you go that route, be sure to check back in here with a report of your experience installing them that way.
I have the same setup you have except my car is a '79 and I had to remove the starter to install the right side header, you may not have to, as I know the early FOX body's had different lower K-member mounting brackets which keep the header from fitting between the frame and starter.
Sorry if i missed it somewhere, but does the turbo manifolds work with any of the aftermarket k members? I wont be running a/c or ps. Just a wp and alt. Thanks.
07-13-2020, 08:32 AM
