Aurora 4.0l / Izuzu 5 speed swap into 88 coupe (Page 21/102)
cptsnoopy MAR 24, 05:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by RCR:

What's wrong with this type of joint? Or this one in particular? This is the style that Darth recommends for his 3800 swaps. I was just going to piuck one up, so I'd like to hear about any issues.

TIA,
Bob



that was the original plan but when i went to buy them from "SPD performance" they told me they stopped selling them because of too many failures. i started asking around and that seemed to be the general concensus. so the "buick ball joint" was suggested and i am going to try it but it is purely an experiment. i have no expectations at this time. at least the leaks will be near the end of the exhaust and if i can't hear them it will be ok. there will be protection around the area for heat if needed.

cptsnoopy MAR 24, 06:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by Will:
I'd whip up a plate to tie that into other surrounding bolt holes if I were you. Not sure I'd want the whole engine pulling on basically one hole...

i agree Will, i tried to think of a way to spread out the load using a plate to cover both bolts in each head but i don't think it's feasable the way i have set up the exhaust. to get much benefit the plate would be big and bulky. so i decided to put one of these mounts on the front, one on the rear and one from the forward crossmember to the block skirt. (pics of those as i finish them) i am hoping that spreading the load between all three will reduce the chance of failure.

RCR MAR 24, 08:22 PM
Thanx for the heads-up Snoop...I'll look further into Darth's solution. My application should have very little movement, so it may work.

+'s abound

Bob

cptsnoopy MAR 25, 08:06 AM
RCR, thanks for the +'s and back atcha. i expect my setup is going to move about .5" to .75 near the rear of the car. that was too much for me to trust the bellows.


ok, here are the other two mounts. the first two pics are of the rear mount. the next three are of the lower middle mount. I hope that adds up to over-kill. there are seven mounts total.









[This message has been edited by cptsnoopy (edited 05-11-2012).]

Will MAR 25, 12:55 PM
Gonna put a nice moment on the crossmember. It's prolly fine, though.
cptsnoopy MAR 27, 04:10 AM

quote
Originally posted by Will:

Gonna put a nice moment on the crossmember. It's prolly fine, though.



I hope it does ok. it would be nice to have a little video cam back there to watch how much twist and flex is going on...

after getting those last mounts welded up the engine went back into the car just to make sure it would fit. it did but not by much in the front. then the engine came back out and all the bolt on stuff was removed for cleaning and painting.

next, the oil filter adaptor was mounted. this engine did not come with an oil cooler adaptor so I will try it without.

the rear cover was removed and a hole was carefully cut for a cheap $2.49 press in oil cap.





then the spec flywheel was bolted on along with the starter.





it turns over nicely. the compression check is next...

[This message has been edited by cptsnoopy (edited 05-11-2012).]

cptsnoopy APR 20, 02:57 AM
big sigh. number 8 cyl is flat. that and a very noticable amount of oil/sludge build up on the exhaust valve stems leads me to believe that the engine is a 7 cylinder... oh well, looking on the bright side, I will be looking for a good 4.6 to put in the car instead.
GSXRBOBBY APR 20, 12:43 PM
Wow, Charlie that really suck, so sorry to hear that!!! To bad you can't go back to the guy and complain. I guess you now know why they sold it. I can still get them Northstar motors here in Indiana complete with motor, PCM, wiring harness, alternator,AC compressor. It maybe to much for shipping all that way and its a bit of a drive. Unless you can't find one for under $1100.00. Let me know if you need it?

------------------
Bobby from NW Indiana
93 Northstar and 5 speed Getrag
219customs@verizon.net
My 86 GT build thread
MY 88 Northstar build thread

cptsnoopy APR 20, 06:52 PM
Thanks for the offer Bobby,

I'll have to see what I can do. I told my wife about it and her first words were something to the effect of getting the money back for this engine. I had to explain that the guy sold it as is. He implied that he thought it was a good engine but I knew that I was taking a risk. I just did not know until later when I was doing my homework on the Northstars that they don't work on them, they just replace them. That's why there are many used warranty engines around and very few parts available. The second thing she said is that we don't have enough money to buy a another one right now. Well, I have to admit she is right about that. We just got back from vacation and will be paying that off for awhile. So, unless I find someone willing to part with an engine for really cheap this project is on hold until I can save up a grand or two.

ryan.hess APR 20, 07:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by cptsnoopy:

big sigh. number 8 cyl is flat. that and a very noticable amount of oil/sludge build up on the exhaust valve stems leads me to believe that the engine is a 7 cylinder... oh well, looking on the bright side, I will be looking for a good 4.6 to put in the car instead.


aww man.... well the good news is there's a LOT of them on ebay, I just checked! Couple of them are going for cheap! I'll PM you the links if you want...

heh... now I see why they're cheap - they're all rebuilders..... ahh well. btw - I got my engine for $800 on ebay from a salvage yard, runs like new, with 67k on it. Had it shipped in from las vegas... Deals are out there, you just have to be quick on your feet with cash in hand.

[This message has been edited by ryan.hess (edited 04-20-2005).]