Re: 258 for AMC Spirit

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Andrew Hay wrote:
"i was under the impression that the pre-'80 'heavyweight' sixes did
not have the mount points for the eagle front diff, which attaches
directly to the engine."

-- As you mentioned in a later post, this doesn't apply since he's talking about a Spirit, but it's true nonetheless for others wanting to know! ;>

"this is true if you have a v-belt crank.  serp belt 258s are not as
common as v-belt but do exist."

The early serpentine belt setups used on Eagles use the short crank snout, but the balancer is different! I first tried to use a late 80s Eagle balancer on my 4.0L, but it's a different offset. The outer ring is mounted backwards compared ot a 4.0L. There's a ~1/4" flat space on the INSIDE of a 258 Eagle serpentine balancer, it's on the OUTSIDE of a 4.0L setup, moving the belt 1/4" closer to the engine. Doesn't really apply in this case, just something to note!

"and while never used in eagles, all 4.0 blocks do have the mounting
points for the eagle diff."

Not only that, but they have all the mounting point for any previous 232/258, at least back to 1974 when the timing cover was changed to accomodate a change in the way accessories were moutned. Might be some problems with power steering pump mounts though, since they bolt to the block and intake. You basically have to use the PS pump and mounts that match the intake, 4.0L or 258. That can lead to some belt alignment issues, but spacers and longer bolts will match a 4.0L pump to an Eagle belt. The main problem comes when trying to use pre 74 accessories on a post 73 engine, or vice versa. Then things get hairy!! 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
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