AWD axles on a FWD block

[2fastTSi]

To make a long story short, I rebuild the engine out of my 97 GST and ended up dropping into my 97 GSX. What I forgot at the time was that the FWD and AWD axles are different .

Anyway, after getting everything back into the car, I can't get the axle carrier bearing bracket on the driver's side to line up with the FWD block. Are the brackets physically different? Or is it the length of the half shaft that is giving me trouble? Does anyone have any ideas? I can't just leave the carrier bearing unbolted, something horrible would surely happen.

 

[KazooGS-T]

There is no difference between a FWD and AWD 4g63 engine wise. Your driveline parts and perhaps mount bracket could be different though.

The axles go into the transmission, not the engine.

 

[jrohner]

The block is not the issue. There are two different ways to mount the bearing to the block -- the 95-96 way, and the 97-99 way. On one it bolts directly to the block, and on the other it bolts to the AC compressor bracket. You either need to switch bearings or switch AC brackets. 1G's bolt directly to the block as well (one bolt goes through the AC bracket but threads into the block).

 

[2fastTSi]

The axles go into the transmission, not the engine.

I know that. I'm trying to reattach the carrier bearing bracket to engine block.

Jrohner, I'll try putting the A/C compressor bracket back on. I removed the A/C a while back, that's probably the cause. Both cars were 97 model year. Thanks for the help.

 

[deth2u]

There's approx 1" of clearance on my 98 awd axles to the 4g64 casting. I'm gonna assume it's the same as the 63. If it is, you can simply buy a nice chunk of 1" square stock and drill/tap the appropriate holes then bolt into the block, and ditch the compressor bracket. Pretty easy solution if it works for you. This is what I ended up doing.