TurdBird meets it’s new heart

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Some say engine swaps are easy. They are liars or that might depends on what engine and what car you are using. Some might think that fitting a 4 cylinder European motor in a huge american V8 engine bay would be easy. I was one of those people.

Boy was I in for a surprise, everything that could be in the way was in the way. No surprise at all that the oil pan was in the way. Middle sump in a rear sump car will be doomed for interference. But one of the more interesting things that was in the way was the windshield washer pump. Even with that removed it’s still just a few mm until I hit the wiper motor.

 

Everything is in the way

As you can see, nothing fits. So time to drain and remove the oil pan and put on a plastic oil catch diaper under the engine. Chopped off the top radiator support to be able to fit the engine and gearbox as a package. Trying to fit the whole package with the support in place was not going to happen.

The oil pan will need some chopping, Check that out here.

Lets build some stuff

It’s in! time to build some motor and gearbox mounts. One thing that has come clear to me is that my exhaust manifold will need “some” modification, the alternator needs moving and the oil filter housing has a cross-member going right through it. Who could have guessed that everything was in the way for this engine to fit. Worth mentioning is that the motor comes from a FWD car.

I will leve you with a tent / engine hoist, motor dust control unit.