Eomund

Any of these still in stock?

Where do you get those, I actually want one.

Dunno, for me looks are only a small part of it. Function is a part, reliability and for what you need power is a part, price and what you can get in your area is another part, and ease is also a major part. After all that athstetics are pretty minor after all is said and done. And I do somewhat agree with farmer joe as far as not having the resources can be a major problem. I'm quite fortunate living in car mecca, Southern California, so I do have an abundance of resources. But I have been in this situation. The 4AG, there's plenty you can do with it, but only if you have coin. It's becoming an increasingly rare platform as the RWD model only existed for 4 years in the states and 5 years in Japan, ending it's run in 1987, making it 25 years old. To make it what you are looking for, not just another old looking motor, it's probably going to need a rebuild, complete custom fuel and water delivery as your truck is carbed, unless you plan on swapping to carbs, instant 15%+ horse power drop by the way if you do that unless you dump in tons of money and work (even then it's still gonna be a decent drop in power from stock). You'll have to completely re-wire the engine bay, get everything in the dash to match up, not as easy as it sounds. This isn't all of it. Now don't let this list discourage you at all, I'm just trying to give you a realistic look at what you're in for doing a swap like this. The reason everyone keeps bringing up the KA is it's plentifull and cheap. If you're willing to go single cam, the Nissan hardbody trucks all have this motor. I actually like the look of the single cam too. This one's not too bad. I'll have to get some pick of my engine bay in my 240, it's actually much cleaner than this by a fair amount. The main thing is to figure out what YOU want and fuck what everyone else says. A project car is a very personal thing. I've taken many ideas from other peoples builds, and in many cases, also don't care for many ideas. As long as it's what you want and you like it, that's all that should matter. Get an idea first though and go from there.

Aha, but you're forgetting about the idea of the head swap. It's remarkably easy. Now the motor is starting to become a bit rare unfortunately. Agreed on the cooling and fuel delivery, but aren't these the same points made for any EFI swap? Just sayin'. That's an SR dude. It's got a custom valve cover but SR just that same, kinda looks like a later model to me but it's so custom it's hard to tell. Agreed. Confucius had a saying You are allowing yourself to be open to knowledge which is a good thing. Everyone is a 'noob' at some point. It's willingness to learn that allows us to move past this point. To get back on subject however, I understand what you're trying to do, not sure if I 100% agree with it, but I do understand. One thing you are going to have to keep in mind, this is a 30+ year old truck. When and if you swap the motor, number one, the truck was never meant for this kind of power and you will want to think about upgrading your rear end. Also, these things honestly handle like shit at anything above 60mph IMO. I've been slowly learning something. I've always been from the school of 'faster faster faster', always making every mod possible to eek out that much more power and speed. I still have that, but not with this truck. It's a different kind of enjoyment. It's difficult to explain, but it's just as enjoyable driving my lil' truck that's so slow it's in the way but a piece of history in a sence. Also keep in mind it is a truck so try to keep it functional as a truck, or you might as well get a car and save your self a ton of work. Sorry for the book.

then why did you imply it was only used in fwd setups? the 3 s was used in a number of the rwd lexus platform. its actually becoming a popular 86 swap in the drifting world.

ever heard of a car called an AE86 toyota corolla? It's not a bad platform, but if you're gonna go through that much work, a little larger and newer woul prolly be better. why i brought up the 3s. its larger and existed in a buch of fr platforms.

Not recomended. I had an 86, wasn't a bad motor, but definately lacking in power. The stock 4A had something like 122hp, and to ger an FR model, think it's almost 30 years old by this point. If you do go with a 4A though, definately go with the silver top, it'll get you a decent amount more power. As a rule, I'm against bastard swaps. But if you must go with a Toyota engine, look into the 3SGE. Not only is it larger, at 2.0L, but also younger. They made the platform from the late 80's into the 2000's also stating it's a proven platform. Depending on the year, they range anywhere from about 160 to 200hp, a very fair number for the motor size. My cousin had an MR2 (SW20 model), the G-Limited. Motor was peppy and the bitch screamed. Personally as it's a truck motor, I like the idea of the KA as the KA is flat out torque, what you want for a truck, but it's all preference and what you want to go for.

Ya, I know most of the mechanical differences, As I was originally eyeballing them for parts and found they were barely interchangeable. I wasn't aware of the mechanical differences. If I go KA, unlikely at this point as I'm really learning to like the L-block, I was leaning towards the hardbody due to price. I wanted to get a running truck so I can drive it and test it and would have literally everything I needed as it's a working vehicle and complete. No peicing together and haveing to find parts. I can get a working truck for under 2k.Good luck on a 240sx under 5k where I live.

I'm recording it. I usually watch it from start to end but There was a MASSIVE car show I went to today so I wasn't going to be able to watch IT. DVR rockes.

n ever mind the w question. You replied to quick :P

Thanks for the quick reply guys. Any indication what the W means?

I knew about the TBI difference and was just gonna run with it, but I was not aware of the wiring difference. That's good to know and appreciated. It's not really that they just swapped the L18, I think it might've been one of the low mileage JDM engines that came over in the early 80's.

Just to give a vehicle background, this is a '72 521 pickup that I had purchased thinking it was the original motor. I was wrong. Today's been an interesting day. I started by researching why I had two oil dipstick tubes to find out that it's likely that my motor is possibly imported, haven't 100% confirmed this as most info I've found doesn't seem conclusive. What I have learned is I have an L18 with a A87 head. What's not making sense to me is the serial numbers. I have several books that describe the numbers but they do not match anything I'm seeing on the motor. I don't have and pictures but it reads the following: L18 281218 W Each one is on it's own plate. First, no prefix letters, unless the L18 counts as the prefix, which matches nothing I've read. Also I haven't found any information on the lone W at the end. I've checked re-checked triple checked and quadrupal checked the numbers and they're accurate. What I'm thinking is this is possibly a JDM motor, one of the ones imported in the early 80's. All my books are american and only cover the US and I'm hoping it's this, 'cause that would mean I have the peanut head which would rock. Any info on this would be epic. -Eomund-

Ya, I'm aware of the single cam. I'm allready well versed in the 240sx KA's as I have a 1990 that I've had 3 engines in...... I've been kinda hard on them. I have started studying the motor and learned I don't have an L16 but an L18 with an A87 head. The serial numbers aren't making any sense to me which I am posting in the gen tech.

actually, if i go with a KA. i'm gonna get a full, working hardbody to canibalize. so i can not only test the motor, but it would have everything. A little more money for a lot less headache imo.

Like many, I originally got my truck with the purpose of modding it. One of the main ideas I had was a KA swap. I know the engine well as I have a 240sx that runs fantastic. When I got this truck, the fuel system was gummed up, it barely ran and had a ton of little issues that added up to a lot of work. I've been getting the little issues fixed so I can at least drive the truck, and I'm there. I actually have been for the last month, driving it every day just about to work and back. After a month on the road, some basic tune ups and a new carburetor later, I'm learning this L16 is a runner. It's far from the most powerful engine on the planet, but I'm learning that's not the point. Part of me still would like the KA for that mental soundness you can get from a newer motor, and so I can go at freeway compatible speeds. She can do it now, but she's workin' hard and I don't want to kill it. This motor continues to surprise me. Great compression, plugs burning a perfect milk chocolate brown. No running issues now I have the webber tuned better. It doesn't leak a drop of oil or water. It's like it doesn't want the heart transplant. I'm somewhat at a crossroads in my project. I'm to the point that I have to make a decision, KA or stock, before I put any more money out on the drive-train I mean (of course I'm still working on the chassis and interior. What's your guys opinion? Any stories similar? Lets hear what you have to say :D

welp, finally got the cash to install a webber. i was able to get it installed today. actually pretty easy swap. i had to rob the throttle linkage from the old carb though as the webbers wouldn't work. i'll get some pics up tomorrow. keep in mind this is after some crazy cleaning i had to do on the whole fuel system. i guess sitting for several years with no gas cap is bad huh? the tank was sooooooo gummed up. i used naval jelly to clean the tank, and then re painted it to avoid rust. i used the compressor to make sure the lines were clear and all new fuel lines all 'round. the previous dope used vacuum line in some of the fuel line locations. so far, running pretty sweet with the new setup but i havent had the chance to drive it much yet. will do a little more tomorrow. oh and in the process, i found my bed is only being held on by 2 bolts. i'll be fixing that in a hurry.

unfortunately nissan will be a 1 in a million shot. the carry squat for vehicles this old. personally, i've been having a little luck at junk yards.

been doin a fair amount of work on the truck. new tail lughts, flushing the fuel system etc. i'm now in the home work mode for athstetics. i've found that the stockish bumperettes seem to be easy to find, but i can't seem to find a source.for the step bumpers. is thare anyone that makes these npw, or are they all custom? i've been eye balling some other trucks bumpers, with the possible intent to customize them. any ideas, input and even pitures of examples would be excellent. added note. typing this an a tablet which is why my grammer sucks. thanks!

If ima gonna go 150 bhp, I will be goin' ka.

Wow thats kinda worn. Typical but its gonna be hard for them to cut it perfectly. Once they cut it, If it's particularly tight, get some round metal files and you can fine tune it. Ive had 3 keys i've made for my 240sx and the original is so worn out, I've had to do this with all of them.

Personally, ive always been keen on the bench seats in trucks. You can fit some good size speakers behind them. Plus a better date night vehicle if you know what I mean.

Thanks again for all the info. Like I said this is all a bit of time off (need my tax return). But knowledge is power and you guys helped out a lot.

I understand your point. Now, as long as exedy goes, I dissagree, but its all just opinion. Now for the names. Organic just means its a carbon base, pretty standard for any clutch. It's called a stage 1 because its its first level of their sport clutch line. Ive driven both stage 1 and 2 in different vehicles. their stage 1 is streetable but fairly rugged. The stage 2 is stiff, really stiff with some god aweful chatter. Not really streetable for any form daily driving aspect unless you need to work out your leg for any reason. Now for the nissan only arguement, like I said I understand, just humbly disagree. I'll definately look into the roadster clutch, especially for price. Now I will say I super appreciate the info as it does really help me. One last question. The 620 had the same spline as the 521 right?

Not sure what the after market junk comment was abot. Good chance ill go with exedy as I love the product. Ran it on my corolla, my 240 currently, and my dad has one in his z and they have been fantastic in each one. Its not gonna happen for a little while. I'll post up when I do.