Well, MrSix you certainly put me in my place. However, did it ever occur to you that perhaps I’ve done engine swaps, humm? I thought not.

My point was that in my opinion, if one is dead set on doing a swap, such as this, one might be more inclined to do something like LatanaTX’s car. Or at least stick with Mercedes, if you are going outside the family then, and again in my opinion, there would be better candidates than the selected engine. But agreed, I’m not paying for it, he is and if that’s his choice then good luck on the project.

MrSix, you do understand what an opinion is, don’t you? Perhaps you would do better to know the history of the individual you are demeaning. In my youth, I did at least 5 engine swaps. My classic was a 1953 Cadillac engine in a 1948 Ford Coupe, the hottest was a 1955 Austin Healey 100, in which I shoehorned a 283 270 HP Chevy V-8.

But, I really feel bad that you seemed to be offended by my suggestions and opinions, sort of like someone else I know. Have a great day.

 

Well i think the idea with the 1st generation chrysler 3.5 is they are insanely overbuilt. Forged cranshaft, crossbolted mains, freefloating pistons, 24 valve Single overhead cam setup. These motors were built to outlast the cars they were put in, and thats exactly what they have done so these things can be picked up used for less than $500 and stock produce more peak hp and a better torque curve than the MB 3.2. Not to mention the untold power potential these motors have. I think the choice he made is just fine.

 

A 4 liter is enticing, although I'm speculating until I have driven what I have now. I have this eco **** thing about getting into the v8 displacement neighborhood, although, if she gets 20+mph, then its justifiable. ford makes a mighty fine powerplant. they boast 31mpg with the new mustang--is that the engine you meant? It cant be a v8 to get that...thanks vpat

I am entering a whole new neighborhood with this powertrain. everybody on the vw site is either morbidly curious or hates me. it has become some sort of culture war. I am a heretic that needs to be executed.

 

decided to use the eagle guages. it solves many problems and I'll only need the range sensor and the start/run signal from the ign sw. just have to make it fit now. the vw guages wrapped around the brake master, which keeps the new cluster out near the wheel. ugh

 

the new bed/ rear bench seat design will conceal the new engine nicely- the rear hatch is where the old engine was

 

this is the final proof that I was right about this thing working, and not being like a chevy 396 hanging out in the floor like a van from the sixties.....it's the bed-bench design that proves it tucks away and preserves the vanagon space viability. wahoo

 

Cool! Keep us updated.

 

detailing her now--seals and paint. unclogging the egr, etc. all the seals were rock hard, including the oil fill cap, which, I discovered, is the source of the right front corner wetness on the block, not the right cam seal.

 

I just spent 112.00 for 11 flat gaskets and o-rings. does anyone know of a cheaper source besides the dealer?

 

Once you have a specific part number there are NUMEROUS parts resources on the net that can get you things at heavily discounted prices....

 

awesome--so I'll start collecting part numbers--the real universal language
got a steer column tuesday from a 94 intrepid. ign sw is needed--didnt have a wheel puller

 

bolts near water jackets broke but are protruding--lucky--near L shaped water ports-- this manifold has never been off and the gaskets were a recipe for disaster

 

Im almost done with the recomission and upgrades/engine

 

 

By 76 the only thing left in the auto world was some distant memories of what used to be! In the 60's we had no idea what "mpg" meant. It was all about horsepower baby!

 

I love this project.

 

I'm finding out that smearing a thin layer of silicone on a gasket surface and letting it cure before assembly is better than the 12.00 gaslet I would think about while driving, wondering if it is really sealing.[holleys]
the OE ps reservoir is too tall for the space I have it going in, so I paid 7.00 at the jy for a 90 maxima res--steel with 90 degree tube outlets. I gain 2" with it and I can paint it yellow like the last one. it has a cool mount bracket with rubber shock bolts too that it slips on and off of.
I am about fed up with all this cleaning and painting/resealing. the holleys are clean and ready, as soon as I get my cam lockers from miller.
then, the crank pulley comes off and I can replace the shaft seals and button her up. I was even able to cut down the vision coolant hoses for re-use. the tstat hose needs 3" of lengthening. I have some 1-1/4" ss tubing I can chop and use for that.

 

Me too! This guy has talent.

 

got the bullwinkle back on and the plywood prefit for the seat box -I may rout a groove in the edges of the wood for a seal


thanks for the good words