Ok all I have an update. Turna out the entire pitch of the driveline is off. The hood will not close. The Bronco had to be removed with care to not damage the freshly painted hood, how sad!
I could get negative here but really want to move this forward and be solution oriented.
I dont want to get into specifics on a public forum about my personal situation, but I cant be near the Bronco to check on it. Fortunately I have a friend who will, and it is at a great shop that has done work for me on other cars and has never let me down.
Im really thinking one or two things are throwing it out if whack. 1. The engine mounts got mixed up with different SBF mounts and are making the engine sit too high, and/or 2. the transmission crossmember is missing a piece and making the transmission sit too low.
The transmission crossmember is an old Toms AOD custom crossmember when they used to sell those-a cut and welded stock EB crossmember to fit the AOD. When this engine was in and running, there was some steel used to shim the crossmember to get it right. I imagine this has been lost.
I dont want to aimlessly throw parts at it to see what sticks, but I need to be prepared to help the shcp with some solutuons if/when I get the call.
That said, are there any known 'best' engine mounts and AOD crossmembers? For the engine mounts, I found a set at Duff solid/urethane that they claim keeps the stock engine height vs others which raise it 1/2 to 3/4". Toms has a new fabricated AOD/4R70RW crossmember. For stock engine mounts Wild Horses has the ones (I think) with the safety built in in case they break.
Curious what yoy all think. Its ok I need to do this again but I do want to get the combination right this time given high labor coats and lost/mixed up parts.
Thank you for your guidance.
