What is the best donor vehicle for re-power engine?

bfjones2000

Gear Grinder
Nov 8, 2010
21
76643
First Name
Bill
Willys Model
  1. Wagon
Willys Year:
  1. 1963
After some thought, I will probably try to find a V6 for my '60 wagon. What is the best donor vehicle for the engine; and, which engine -- 225 or 231 (or other)? As a second thought, will the 4.3 Buick diesel work?

Thanks,
 
I have a '51 panel truck that came with a 327 Chevy V8. PLENTY of room in the engine bay. I also own a 2001 Blazer with a V6 (4.3) and, while it has generally adequate power, it is not fuel efficient, nor is it "peppy". The same basic space is required for a V6 or V8 GM motor, so to me it is a no brainer. V8 all the way.
 
lordy611 said:
I have a '51 panel truck that came with a 327 Chevy V8. PLENTY of room in the engine bay. I also own a 2001 Blazer with a V6 (4.3) and, while it has generally adequate power, it is not fuel efficient, nor is it "peppy". The same basic space is required for a V6 or V8 GM motor, so to me it is a no brainer. V8 all the way.
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I have to disagree with this one guys. Generally, any V8 you install is going to require firewall modification, and more than likely cutting a notch out of the front crossmember. V6's fit much better. The main thing to consider is heat. A V6 leaves more room for under hood heat to escape. V8's get pretty warm under there. You have to look at the fire wall. In most cars designed with V8's, the firewall will go down about a third of the way and then slope back pretty good. This allows for scavenging of the under hood heat. The Willys firewall does not do this and therefore tends to keep that heat in. I have run ford V8's in a few different Willys trucks and Wagons. All required firewall and crossmember mods (not a huge deal, but still...) and all created some serious heat at the floor board. A good radiator helps a lot as far as engine temps, but it still warms up that cab. Let's talk radiators. Just because one installs a huge radiator that spans from headlight to headlight does not mean efficient cooling. The idea here (for a V8) is to use a 3 or 4 core radiator, but it still needs to fit properly in the grille space so ALL of the air gets pushed through the whole radiator. Also, if you don't "seal" the sides a lot of that cool air goes around the radiator instead of through it, so seal it on the sides and use a good shroud on the engine side. That said, why not go with a V-6? You can still get plenty of power if done right. Why would you want to modify (usually means a BFH) the firewall if you don't have to? Been there, done that. I once was young and stupid. Now i'm old and well...depends on how the spouse mouse is feeling. :)
Good luck and have fun, but no matter which way you go... do it right. :cheers:
Steve
 
The key to the engine swap is who's gonna do the actual work? If you have a welder and fabrication skills,know how to mock up the donar engine so it clears everything at maximum suspension travel and all the rest then it's just a lot of work.If you've never did a swap before it can be very fustrating and expensive.
I looked at an early 50's Willys PU having a Buick V-6 swap.It all was fine until the owner drove on rough roads and the front differential came up and busted the oil pump housing.Pays to measure carefully :mrgreen:
 
You can not go wrong with the advice received so far...I look at a project like a puzzle....finding the right piece that fits into my budget. Money and your talents go along way, not to mention asking questions here. I personally have had 2 SB Chevys in wagons with no problems with fitting or with over-heating. I do advise using a cross-flow radiator, they do an excellent job cooling and I have always used stock cast iron exhaust manifolds.
 
I have a Wagon with a Dodge 360, A truck with a Chevy 327 and a Jeepster with a 350 all have a 3-4" recessed firewall but could be done without it (the Dodge is longest and the recess just made things easier) . None have had the front crossmember cut. They are all shorter that the inline 6s that came stock, A 4.3 V6 is shorter than all and would fit easily All will require some fabrication. The 360 required louvers in the hood to cool it, The other two run at 180 all day long.
 
I should have mentioned that I'm going to stay with a 6 cylinder; and, probably a v6. I was trying to determine which v6 would work with the least amount of trouble.

Thanks,
 
bfjones2000 said:
I should have mentioned that I'm going to stay with a 6 cylinder; and, probably a v6. I was trying to determine which v6 would work with the least amount of trouble.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Take a look at my build. I used a 4.3, and it was about as easy as it gets.
 
I agree with using a complete engineered package. My route did require a bit of firewall releif. I went with the jeep 4.0 and TJ chassis. In the long run it saves time and money. You dont have to spend a boatload either. I bet Willys Worker got it done for half the cost I did. My donor cost 7000 net after I sold the TJ body. That almost sounds like alot untill you consider I got dana 44's with air lockers, 5 link suspension, the engine and a six speed trans with 4:1 transfercase.

I may go v8 in the future. The hemi swap is easy as pie with my current setup. That will be way down the road though.

Dont forget that swapping the trans and axles carry many strength bennifits with it. Not to mention parts availability.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2415963/1957-willys-wagon
 
Dimmwatt said:
I agree with using a complete engineered package. My route did require a bit of firewall releif. I went with the jeep 4.0 and TJ chassis. In the long run it saves time and money. You dont have to spend a boatload either. I bet Willys Worker got it done for half the cost I did. My donor cost 7000 net after I sold the TJ body. That almost sounds like alot untill you consider I got dana 44's with air lockers, 5 link suspension, the engine and a six speed trans with 4:1 transfercase.

I may go v8 in the future. The hemi swap is easy as pie with my current setup. That will be way down the road though.

Dont forget that swapping the trans and axles carry many strength bennifits with it. Not to mention parts availability.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2415963/1957-willys-wagon
Click to expand...

I love the combination of willys and modern Jeep.
Your Willys-Wrengler was my inspiration and a year ago i purchase 1992 All Storm Jeep as a donor for 4X4 panel dalivary i wanted to buy. Eventually the Panel was total worthless :cry: so the Jeep became my daily drive until the right Willys will show up.
 
My '49 Delivery is powered with a Buick 231 V6. Plenty of room considering that the distributor on Buicks is front mounted. It has plenty of pep as it is bored .30 over and fitted with an aluminum Offy intake and 600 cfm 4BBL carburetor. This is backed up with a TH200R4 (metric) overdrive transmission and then a refitted third member with 3:55 gearing. Highway cruising at low RPM. Fabrications were the motor/transmission/rearend to springs. All was done on the stock tophat frame with no body modifications. Hope this can help someone.
 
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