Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Hi I'm new here and the proud owner of a 1979 Datsun 620. I have a 1954 ford f350 that if like to take the 239 v8 and the 9" rear end out of and put on my 620. Thoughts and suggestions? 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 The stock engine is 280 pounds, what does the Ford weigh???? Probably twice that. How much net (NOT GROSS) hp does the ford make??? In today's terms maybe twice the L20B. That's a lot of work to force a heavy under powered V8 (and transmission) into a place never designed for it. Yes it can be done but infinite number of ways to fuck this swap up. You will need t cut the truck up to fit the engine and trans. This is a one way trip to the junk yard. Research swapping a KA engine in. 1 Quote Link to comment
Jesse C. Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 I keep seeing a few V8 swap related post on here. Troll? 2 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 DO NOT CUT UP A PERFECTLY GOOD 79 620 TO PUT AN OBSOLETE PIECE OF SHIT MOTOR IN IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE IT. 1 Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Thanks guys that's all I needed. I have an extra ford 9 inch rear end and I could have sworn somewhere I heard of people just bolting it up to a 620 although I can't remember where. Is that something I can do or is there more crazy modifications that need done? 1 Quote Link to comment
distributorguy Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 That flathead weighs closer to 950 lbs, and if you throw about $20k at it, you can make 175 hp at the fywheel. But you'll blow out shocks and overload the Datsun torsion bars BIG TIME. Do like I did and throw the flathead into an old Willys or 31A. Keep something light and nimble in the 620, so you don't lose the handling and drivability. Especially since you can't get enough radiator in a Datsun to cool that massive chunk of iron. 3 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Yeah, I like your answer better. 1 Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 If I'm going to go ahead and do a v8 swap what are some engine suggestions I have no bias (ford Chevy etc) just looking to you guys for advice as 90% of my internet searches end unfruitful. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Small 5.0/289 ford or 215 aluminum chev V8 are the closest fit but you can get as much HP from a KA. A V6 is even better. 99% of these swap end unfruitful. Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 I appreciate all the help here. What about the rear end? Is it a no go on putting the ford 9 inch with the stock engine? Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Anything can be built. You have to consider the axle width and wheel bolt pattern, but other than those details, any axle can be installed. Why do want a different axle though? Is the Datsun axle broken? They last quite a long time, even with a bit of a motor, so this is a good case of "if it aint broke..." Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 The axle is not broken. I want to replace the rear end gears in hopes of getting my daily driver to go faster quicker. I'd like to do a whole rebuild of the truck but I don't have the money. Straight up in looking to get some more power and acceleration. Quote Link to comment
distributorguy Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 The 4.56 rear end should get you going fast. Pick your engine and trans as an appropriate combo and it'll be good. Look at narrow V8s like the Fords, or even the Rover/Buick aluminum blocks. Rover 4.6" V8s can be found cheap, usually because the trans is worn out. Adapt a T5 to it and off you go. Probably get it done by yourself for about $5-7k with the Rover or 302 if you can find a good used engine and trans. Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Once again you guys have helped me more in this short time than my months and months of searching. I'd like to consider all options here and not make it seem like I'm trying to get rid of the original engine. Quick little background, I bought this truck for $100 it was sitting in some guys shed wasting away. Put about $200 in it including a battery and it fired up. Have had some issues since then but they were easy fixes. The odometer reads 98,000. It's gotten me through high school and now I'm looking to put some more muscle into it. Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Put in a ka24de, vg33e, or if you have money an sr20de, sr20det, or LS Quote Link to comment
distributorguy Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 What Matt said!!! KA or LS! KA is easier!!! Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 If I go with the KA how much ballpark will it cost to put it in (engine cost aside) Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 ]2eDeYe here offers a mount kit for $190 (or less, depending on what all you want). See here: http://community.ratsun.net/classifieds/item/5568-620-ka24-engine-swap-mounts/ Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Okay, you guys have me interested. Would you recommend me upgrading to a 5 speed or keeping the 4 speed that's in there Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Sounds like the MSA guy Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 You could buy a whole donor KA powered truck for less than $1000 and have all the parts you need for the KA swap, including the 5spd. 1 Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 I found a 94 Altima with a 5 speed for 700 With minimal digging. Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 That's fwd...no bueno 1 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted August 3, 2017 Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 Yeah ka swap needs truck or 240sx parts donor. Yes, theoretically it could be done with an Altima engine, but it will still require a bunch of rwd ka parts plus extra custom fab, making it cost more in the end than starting with the correct donor. Quote Link to comment
Gio.&.his.Datsun Posted August 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2017 I might hang on to the original engine for a while longer as I can see now I'm not ready for an engine swap. When you remove the air cleaner housing there are seemingly infinite tubes connected, are all these necessary if so what do they do 1 Quote Link to comment
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