Hello, im new here, I've been lurking when I can and learning as much as possible. I have a 26 dodge, dont know who built it, I got it last year and it is a fun ride! It has an isuzu 4 cylinder g180 out of a 79 chevy luv. 4 speed trans, 10 bolt rear. Overall just fun, not a race car, but fun to cruise. Im having ignition troubles, and I am thinking about replacing everything and putting an electronic ignition in. My cousin on the other hand is pushing for me to use a chvy 4. 3 v6 and auto trans that he has. I have a list of pros and cons for both, I just thought I would see what you guys think.
Oddball engine choice......
- Thread starter tburnett
- Start date
Indycars
Well-Known Member
Post your list please.
Don't let someone talk you into a decision that you can't embrace. Keep in mind it's going to be considerably more work to modify the frame to handle the V6 and a different transmission.
Do you have the skills to make such a change ...... welding, cutting steel brackets. Possible some brackets can be bought from one of our sponsors for the forum. Links at the top of the page. If you have CAD skills they can make custom brackets.
Do you grow fruit in Fruita ?
.
Don't let someone talk you into a decision that you can't embrace. Keep in mind it's going to be considerably more work to modify the frame to handle the V6 and a different transmission.
Do you have the skills to make such a change ...... welding, cutting steel brackets. Possible some brackets can be bought from one of our sponsors for the forum. Links at the top of the page. If you have CAD skills they can make custom brackets.
Do you grow fruit in Fruita ?
.
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There are probably multiple internet resources to research your ignition, but you may get some guidance from this: Search YouTube for Puddin's Fab Shop and look for "ABUSED 1979 Chevy Luv REVAMP! Huge Amount of UPGRADES! Luv Tap 2.0" You probably don't need to input all of that in the search, but that's the name of the episode.
He addresses electronic ignition swap, vacuum leaks, Weber carb tuning, etc. There may be something in there of benefit to you. If I remember correctly, the actual completion of the distributor swap is in a subsequent video, as the one he got first had the wrong drive.
Also, you can skip to about the 5:00 minute mark to pass over some intro shenanigans.
He addresses electronic ignition swap, vacuum leaks, Weber carb tuning, etc. There may be something in there of benefit to you. If I remember correctly, the actual completion of the distributor swap is in a subsequent video, as the one he got first had the wrong drive.
Also, you can skip to about the 5:00 minute mark to pass over some intro shenanigans.
thebearded1
Active Member
I love seeing different engines in hot rods even if they aren't period correct. Hot rodding is about having fun with the parts you could find. So it all comes down to what will be the most fun for you?
Personally I would fix the issue with the 4 cylinder to keep the manual transmission. Also like Indy stated it will be a lot of fabrication work to change engine and trans.
Personally I would fix the issue with the 4 cylinder to keep the manual transmission. Also like Indy stated it will be a lot of fabrication work to change engine and trans.
Neshkoro
Well-Known Member
I’m curious! I’m not exactly a fan of foreign cars , although I’ve owned a number of them over the years, but I’m really a fan of old American iron! I’m an old guy, so that’s how I justify that. Aside from my bucket. I also own a 1930 Model A Ford. It’s mostly stock. The engine is getting rather tired. I was thinking about an engine swap of another 4 cylinder engine. Spanky mentioned a Toyota boneyard engine. If I got one of those, it would probably be a front wheel drive. That wouldn’t interest me, even if that would be possible.
My question is it possible to convert a FWD engine to rear wheel drive. Most FWD cars have the engine mounted transversely. Can a transmission be mounted on that type engine and mounted conventionally?
I know there would be a ton of work, especially if it’s fuel injected, high pressure fuel pump, return line, etc. It would be smarter to find an older, non FI engine.
Any thoughts? A. Brand new Model A engine costs about $5,000! Maybe to buy a boneyard engine might cost that much by the time it’s rebuilt and put in the A!
Thanks for your thoughts.
My question is it possible to convert a FWD engine to rear wheel drive. Most FWD cars have the engine mounted transversely. Can a transmission be mounted on that type engine and mounted conventionally?
I know there would be a ton of work, especially if it’s fuel injected, high pressure fuel pump, return line, etc. It would be smarter to find an older, non FI engine.
Any thoughts? A. Brand new Model A engine costs about $5,000! Maybe to buy a boneyard engine might cost that much by the time it’s rebuilt and put in the A!
Thanks for your thoughts.
I believe I would look for a 151 ci engine from a GM S-10/S-15 pickup or S blazer, Astro/Sonoma, or LLV (mail van?); complete engine with a 5 speed. Some 4 cylinder Jeeps, and some Camaro/Firebirds also used it, I understand.
Side benefit is that when people ask what engine it has, you can say "Iron Duke" instead of Chevy
Side benefit is that when people ask what engine it has, you can say "Iron Duke" instead of Chevy
Actually the engine doesn't care which way it is mounted - the crankshaft still rotates the same way. The key is to find an adaptor to mate it to a conventional RWD transmission
thebearded1
Active Member
A Toyota 2JZ would be a cool engine which will already have a trans ready for RWD. It is a straight 6 though so it will be a little longer but a lot of cool stuff being done with them including kits to convert to carbs. Let me see if I can find the pickup I saw recently with one.
thebearded1
Active Member
This one is injected but man it looks the hot rod part still and I bet it's a blast to drive!
thebearded1
Active Member
I found the BAT listing for that truck for some more inspiration even though it isn't a T-bucket still relevant to the engine swap ideas.
bringatrailer.com
Toyota 2JZ–Powered 1931 Ford Model A Hot Rod
Bid for the chance to own a Toyota 2JZ–Powered 1931 Ford Model A Hot Rod at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #159,877.
bringatrailer.com
lincolnuT
Well-Known Member
My 1927 Model T Cedan has a 2001 Bonniville 3.8 V6 that was mounted as a front wheel drive originally. It has a 1999 Firebird 4L60E transmission and it works great. It also has a Supercharger on top of the Fuel Injected V6 3800 or 3.8 CI.......I will post some photos in the AM............
RodStRace
Active Member
A tape measure will be a big help, along with internet search skills to narrow it down to viable candidates.
Transverse engines can be turned, BUT watch out for engine mounts unless you are a good fabricator. Also coolant from engine to radiator often requires big changes and the bellhousing and accessories will not just bolt up in many cases.
Many OHC engines are pretty tall, too.
One of a ton of pages about the challenges.
www.sq-engineering.com
Transverse engines can be turned, BUT watch out for engine mounts unless you are a good fabricator. Also coolant from engine to radiator often requires big changes and the bellhousing and accessories will not just bolt up in many cases.
Many OHC engines are pretty tall, too.
One of a ton of pages about the challenges.
Converting a 4AGE 20V to Rear Wheel Drive - SQ Engineering
20 Valve engine is increasing in popularity as the choice of engine in rear wheel drive conversions in cars such as the AE86. However it does have some extra issues involved over a 16V in converting it to run in…
www.sq-engineering.com
guilld
Active Member
I mean nothing replaces the power and torque of a V8 but 4 cyl or V6 is a solid choice. The A model in my thumbnail has a gm iron duke. It is plenty fast just no tire burning torque. I have an s10 work truck 337,000 miles that just started using a little oil that has a 4.3 v6. I think this would be a great hot rod engine. It is fast and can burn a tire. Obviously from my experience if you could find a rough s10 or blazer for cheap you could have the whole power train for a couple of grand or less,.
Neshkoro
Well-Known Member
Actually, that was one of my considerations. Some years ago, I he as a 1989 Chevy Astro vans. It had a 4.3 V6. After around 80 K mikes the engine was burning oil like crazy. I bought a new long block from a Chevy dealer. Cost for the new block was $1,600! That was maybe 1999 or 2000! Cheap in comparison to today’s costs. My point is, the V6 looks like a GM small block V8 with 2 cylinders cut off. Might be a good choice for a Model A swap ! I’m considering the iron some or the 4.3 V6!
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