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It LIVES!!! The FABLED 8 Build Thread

I'm continuing to prep the stroker for install this winter. I degreased everything, put new plug wires on, and got a YJ water pump installed. I have several other parts stockpiled for the swap, new motor mounts, fuel pumps, etc. I'm waiting on cleaning up any more of the wiring until I have the engine between the frame rails.

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New water pump installed

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Hey... who stole my grille?

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Today, I got to work on pulling the 258. I drained and pulled the radiator and the grille. Pulled back the headlight and winch wiring and some other odds and ends.

I figure I've got a couple more days or 1 more long day to get it pulled.

Next up is draining the engine oil, t case and transmission. Then removing driveshafts to remove the dana 300. I'll move onto underhood wiring and hoses after that.
 
I made a little more progress today.

I drained the transmission, took off the crossmember and took out both drive shafts.
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With the jack stand in place, I had to get creative with the funnel to get the fluid into the drain pan.

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The cross member was about 10lbs heavier thanks to all the mud built up.
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I figure next is drain the t case, pull the shifters and drop the t case. Then start pulling back electrical from the engine.
 
More progress.

I drained the Dana 300 and loosened all the bolts securing it to the T-176. I have my 300 clocked and can see I've torqued it up enough to hit the underside of the body.
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Then I removed the underhood clutch pedal linkage, the floor plate/ shifter boot and transmission shifter.
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It's out!

I finished up pulling the engine with a friend today. We didn't take too many pictures as we were moving pretty quickly with some other obligations today.

We dropped the t case out, pulled the rest of the wiring from the howell efi kit out of the cab and split the under hood wiring harness. Next we pulled the power steering, the vacuum lines, fuel lines and the exhaust.

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It came out pretty easily, only getting hung up on a few things, the starter on the motor mount, the shift tower on the body and the exhaust downpipe on the exhaust stud. All were addressed in short order and we got it out.

I'm going to clean up a few things with the engine out, run new brake lines, perhaps put in a tilt column that's on the shelf and a few hundred other small items. I'm tentatively planning to come to the Nationals next year, so I have to keep that in mind as I consider other projects while I have everything apart.
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I tinkered a bit more and removed the Dana 300 clocking ring to prepare to install the Novak adapter to the AW4.
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I still have some cleanup to do before the final mounting.

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