87 to 88 engine plates

[jfliege]

Alright I know there is a thread that touches on this on ifsja but one they are down and two I feel like asking you guys too.

I bought an 88 360 with the trans from an ifsja member to replace my knocking 360 for my 87 GW. it's a short term engine while i rebuild the engine that I am taking out. From what i understand the engine plates changed between 87 and 88 and the problem this is causing is the torque converter bolts are hitting the engine plate because the 88 plate isn't as deep set, I think? now the question I have since I will be wrenching and learning is, should I swap the matching trans in too, should I swap the plate or is the plate not going to rub?

What do you guys think?

Edit: Wow I meant to say spacer plate where it says engine plate. That'll teach me to try to post while being talked to by coworkers. here is the thread url since ifsja.org http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=146424

[Gumby]

I dont think there would be a problem. I did a swap with an older (74 I think) into my 84. The only issue I had was I never knew about the spacer in the crank for the 400. I would say do the swap and use the original tranny and all accessories.

[fulsizjeep]

The flexplates are different because 87 is Autolite starter and 88 is Mitsubishi starter. Move the 88 flexplate to the 87 engine.

[Stuka]

I thought it had to do with the starter change over, but didn't want to comment and be wrong

[jfliege]

Yeah that is what they said when I commented on the thread I got confused by. So I have both starters and will just match the starter to the year flexplate that's a lot easier than messing with the spacer plate. Thanks for the help. I know it's not supposed to be all that difficult but I am nervous about doing this swap. I kinda feel like I might be biting off a lot to chew at once. The other Thing I will have to figure out that I haven't quite figured out yet is how exactly to change the wiring for a mallory hei but then I really haven't looked into it yet. Well I will stoop prattling on now and let you all get back to more interesting and important things..

[lindel]

You'll have to look at the starter circuitry too. The Mitsubishi starter wiring and components are different than the Ford starter and soleniod. If you have the Ford solenoid and starter you might be ok. It's been a long time siince I owned a 88 GW.

[carnuck]

It's easy to retro the Mitsu starter where a Ford starter was wired (aside from the flexplate) All you do is join both the main terminal and the solenoid small wire to the old Ford starter cable. I just did that on SOTE (Spirit of the Eagle) when we swapped an AW4 in.