Engine swap help

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

23 hours ago, demo243 said:

 

Being in Cali though I would definitely seriously consider doing the swap in a SMOG legal manor, even if you don't care about it. All it would take is one cop out to prove something who sends you to the ref and you have to do your swap all over. From the sounds of it I don't think it would be that much more work to do it right the first time, especially if you get your hands on a full donor car.

Almost everyone who has successfully completed an EFI engine swap knows that it turns out to be a lot more work than anticipated. First time swappers can be talked into or more likely fooled into the job by telling themselves that everyone else is wrong. This is pure ignorance.

 

So if swapping in an EFI engine takes 100 hours, and making it legal takes 150 hours (or even 200 hours), why not just make that extra leap and have a legal swap? There will be almost no difference in dollars spent between a legal and non-legal swap, and if you're doing the work yourself, time is free (sort of).

 

The donor route covers almost all of the bases where parts are concerned. You'll get the EVAP system, the exhaust with cats, the fuel tank (which you can use for pieces), plus you'll be able to easily verify that it runs before you tackle the job. Hell, you may even want to use the donor car as a run stand to make your wiring mods before you yank it apart.

 

I think going into it knowing it will not pass emissions is a very shortsighted approach.

[demo243]

3 hours ago, Stoffregen Motorsports said:

Almost everyone who has successfully completed an EFI engine swap knows that it turns out to be a lot more work than anticipated. First time swappers can be talked into or more likely fooled into the job by telling themselves that everyone else is wrong. This is pure ignorance.

 

So if swapping in an EFI engine takes 100 hours, and making it legal takes 150 hours (or even 200 hours), why not just make that extra leap and have a legal swap? There will be almost no difference in dollars spent between a legal and non-legal swap, and if you're doing the work yourself, time is free (sort of).

 

The donor route covers almost all of the bases where parts are concerned. You'll get the EVAP system, the exhaust with cats, the fuel tank (which you can use for pieces), plus you'll be able to easily verify that it runs before you tackle the job. Hell, you may even want to use the donor car as a run stand to make your wiring mods before you yank it apart.

 

I think going into it knowing it will not pass emissions is a very shortsighted approach.

And on a 620 it should be easier because I believe they share/are closely compatible with the 720s.

[Pacific coast Datsun]

Stick with the L motor & enjoy the truck..you wont regret that decision.

[B Riley]

I recently purchased a 1974 620 project and was shocked to find that the cab and engine compartment had been set up on riser blocks about two inches. About this time i realized that there is a L20b engine. I just need to know if this is needed or if there is some other way so I can remove the blocks.

[]2eDeYe]

Someone likely wanted a cheap lift and used the blocks to accomplish it.

 

Yes you can remove them. Make sure to retain the rubber isolators and body washers. 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

The bolts are going to be too long, but that's easy enough to remedy.

 

Are the rubber isolators still there or was the body solid mounted using the blocks?

[B Riley]

Could anyone help me understand why someone would put the cab and engine compartment on two inch riser blocks upon the install of a L20B engine in a 1974 620

[B Riley]

I was thinking that they needed to raise the body to clear the hood over the valve cover. I will let you know how removing blocks works. It looks like it will be close.

Ty

 

[datzenmike]

So it sits higher. The L20B is only 3/4" taller than an L18 and it would easily fit without raising the body. I raised mine 4" on blocks.

[wayno]

You should be fine, lots of early Datsun owners put L20b engines in there cars/trucks that came with L16/L18 engines without having to do a body lift.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Back in the "old days", people were afraid to cut and modify fenders to gain tire clearance. A body lift was cheap and easy to install.

[datzenmike]

I would be more outraged that a fender is cut merely to fit tires. 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Ah, but most guys do just the cutting. I put them back together looking as good with a cut as they did when they were stock. Better, sometimes.