When putting a 351W block into a SN95 body has anyone experienced any problems with the steering rack? Should it be able to remain the stock? This is a '98 V6 we are talking about putting it into? If so, Can I snag one for a '94-'95 5.0 equipt car and get it to work? I heard of someone using a manual steering rack for a 88 coupe. Then changed the sterring shaft flange and rod ends to get it to work with the wider SN95 tire spacing. Is all this really nessecary ? I would like to keep power steering if I could but if I cant then out it goes.

EDIT: He also used a fox bodied K member which set the motor back 3.5". If I used a SN95 Kmember would I run into any problems with steering componants?

 

a fox K member will not move the motor back 3.5"

if the motor set back any further than 1", you wouldnt be able to get the transmission bellhousing to bolt up.

a 94-95 rack, with a fox K member should work fine

 

With the V6 you can use the 94-95 steering rack. With the 94-95 K-member you can set the motor back 1 1/2 inches if you use a motor mount that drops the engine 3/4 of an inch. Without the drop you can go an inch. You can use the current K-member for the engine swap but, you have to go with a custom mount. I know one source for the mounts but it would be cheaper to swap K-members. You can doing the manual steering conversion. Flaming river made a steering knuckle to do the swap the way you are talking about. Kinda pricey though. I have my motor set back 1 1/2 inches and have hada moroso pan in the car before and didn't hit. It was close but, never hit.

 

Thanks guys, I thought that sounded a little off....... With the things people were telling me about this being a "frankenstien project" I thought that statement may have had some truth to it.

can I just order a K-member desighned for a 94-95 and use the steering rack out of my '98? or does it have to be one from a '94-'95?
Where is the best place to find the mounts? I found them on UPR's site for about $80 (solid mounts). Any other suggestions? I may just snag some from a junk yard if I can find some that havent already been taken with the motor.... (which is unlikely but if it'll save me the $$ I'm willing look). Hood clearance isnt an issue..... I already Have a 4" cowl on the car. Just trying to figure out where it needs to be to bolt up with the stock 4R70W trans.....