chazz79 wrote:Yeah that's going to be the cradle for the engine. You'll see more of what's going on in my head later. I'm a mechanical engineer so I'm not always game for doing things the easy way. I really want everything from the engine to stay completely 78 mustang so I know what I need parts for later. The pan swap would involve a new pick-up tube and pan and I'm not ready for all that yet. I'd rather go my route even if it's reinventing the wheel. This also keeps all of the hoses routed nicely and adds a bit of polish to the whole hack. If you decide to do one of these 2.3l swaps don't start a new thread!
I'll just run to wherever that thread starts and hijack the crap out of it
Really I'd like to see one of these done so I can get ideas of what worked, what didn't, what you'd change. Everywhere you search "2.3 bus" points you to this dead thread so I'd like to finish one just to be able to give an oppinion of how it works.
Besides when I'm wheely'in this beast I want all that oil where it's doing it's job, the front sump (now rear) gives me a false security that I'm comfortable with. Even if I can't pull the front wheels, I could starve the motor out on those 2g launches I've got envisioned in my head.
I understand your concerns and appreciate your enthusiasm......... I've built and raced 2300 Fords for over 12 years...... i'm a Motorhead ...... i enjoy simplicity in design and reliability.... oh... and lots of power....... My 2300 race engines have output 200-250hp......... but i'm building a 150 hp version for longevity..
What type carb are you planning on running? I use the 350cfm Holley 2bbl...... very reliable and a direct bolt on for the early manifold ....
We won't start on his project until after Christmas i think...
The aftermarket support for the 2.3 is what made me want to do this build. There's a good deal of cam choices out there so I'll track down something that does well @3000-3500rpm. I'll probobly stick with the progressive that's on the thing. There's a ton of performance parts out there for it too. I'm only shooting for a reliable 120hp because I'm more interested in miliage. I want 20+mpg, getting that and double the stock (vw) hp sounds like a respectable goal. So really other than a stock rebuild, port job, mild cam and worked over carb I'm not touching the thing. Carb clearance looks pretty rough right now but if I could get the right deal on an old single side draft manifold that'd be nice eye candy and solve my last fitment issue.
Cool, Like i was saying about the carb......... if you remove the progressive carb EGR adapter from the intake on you early Mustang motor .... the 350 CFM Holley carb is a direct bolt on and it drops 1" lower............ MPG will be gained due to the carbs breathing ability ...... you can run this on a basic stock 2300 and have a electric choke, drivability and get better mpg than that of the progressive .... you'll really have a great running engine.
It would be worth looking at..... i often see used 350cfm Holley carbs for sale on Ebay.... they use all 4150 Holley parts for ease of tunability... and the linkage will be easy to setup.....
Not trying to knock the 32/36 Progressive but they really are a beast to keep tuned properly and not much flexibility on parts...
I took the manifold off and apart for cleaning and that mounting flange looks a little off centered for mounting a holley to. The outer flange is also less than a 1/4 inch so it looks like it'd be rough to get it to seal up. Is there any info out there about making this work or just bolt it on? I'm not against running the progressive but the holley looks like it'd eliminate alot of extra crap.
chazz79 wrote:I took the manifold off and apart for cleaning and that mounting flange looks a little off centered for mounting a holley to. The outer flange is also less than a 1/4 inch so it looks like it'd be rough to get it to seal up. Is there any info out there about making this work or just bolt it on? I'm not against running the progressive but the holley looks like it'd eliminate alot of extra crap.
The holley will fit and seal fine........ done it many times....... If you have room you can install a 2 bbl holley 1/2" spacer with longer studs.... there is also a manifold Vaccum port for the brake booster on the spacer.... these are usually available on any early V8 Ford sedan or truck with a 2 BBL motorcraft carb installed............ just like a EGR plate... this is one i use .... it's 1" thick ........ also a couple of shots of one of my engines with the Holley on it... ....
Like i was saying....... you don't have to have the spacer if you choose....... that alone will drop the carb height significantly........ there are many variations of aircleaners you can work in this also..... from a modified snorkle type like the mid 90's 2.5L Pontiac Grand Prix to whatever your imagination can muster...
Heres the lower cradle and 2x3 tubing that reach up to the mounts. It's a little easier to see what I'm doing with the engine out.
The piping clears the pan and drain plug pretty nicely. I have to measure the outriggers that will attach this to the frame rails and make them later. I'm taking a break from the engineering phase and moving to the simpler part of rebuilding the engine. I know that the stock intake will accept the holley but I'm thinking about the esslinger intake because it looks a little beefier and puts the carb in a better position to feed all 4 cylinders evenly.
I've done some horse trading for an old esslinger intake that's set up for a 4bbl holley. I think it may be a bit much, but if a 350cfm works ok, how much worse could a 390cfm be? I guess I'll find out. It looks cool enough.
it's coming along nicely and I hope to be driving it in a few weeks. I'll post a video when I do to show my windowless hacked together beast in all her green glory
Well it's done. I know I missed a boatload of steps here and there but it's all in one peice and runs like a top.
It's a nice package that fits well and requires no permanent modifications to the bus. This is 100% reversible. I did clear 1/2 inch of the sheet metal near the vin stamping on the drivers side so I could mount the a/c compressor. If not for that modification it'd be kosher all around.
This has great power, the only thing that ever disapointed me about my bus is fixed! I'm steadily taking it further and further from home to test it's reliability but soon hope to go on a 1000mile trip with it. I hope to be able to tug the whole family, a small trailer and all of our camping gear down the road while getting 20mpg.
Looking good......... can't wait to see the finished bus......
Here is a recomended part for when you do your heater setup in the bus......... I installed this valve to shut off the water to the heater when it's not needed........ It really works well to help keep the interior air cooler in the summer.... I didn't have this the 1st year and it usually got warm around my feet when driving in summer....... one of the best cheap items i purchased...
I have discovered the downside to this whole ordeal. I just ate my second starter with only @25 miles drive time. I've done all new cables (4 guage) new battery, relocated the ground to the starter bolt, new starter bushing. I'm looking for a high torque but I really feel a stock 091 starter should be able to hang in there. I'm only cranking 300cc over stock. The compression isn't crazy either. This is stock 2.3 in those respects and I'm guessing that's somewhere in the 9 to 1 ratio. What are you running Fastmc?
I have the High torque starter........ mainly since i didn't know what the stock 091 starter could handle with regards to the V6..... and i got a good deal on the HighTorque model........... I think the stock one should work fine........
Are the starters overheating and burning up or overworking ?
The High torque models aren't cheap but it may be what you need to remedy this...
So Chazz... How does it drive? love to hear more.... I'm thinking of doing another one but with the 2300 Ford... How well does the underside cooling setup work.... Temps and such? Are your fans running much? How is your Highway speed rpm wise?
