84 B2000 Mazda 302V8 Swap Project

Baha posted this link:


It's pretty clear these guys have to use an aircraft-starter to get their engine going. So it looks like they lost their starter on the way to their modification.

gotta start somewhere, right?
thanks Baha for the inspiration. gonna get this V8 in this thing even if I have to run the exhaust through the glove box.

who says you have to run the exhaust inside the frame?? check out old gassers for innovation!

old gassers, yes indeed. but this one had a whole buncha stuff in the way. 84 models have rear steer set up unlike the later years where the drag link is ahead of the oil pan. there are a set of headers that run up and over the frame through the inner fender that will solve a lot of problems.

still looking for that photo of an 84 with a V8

And were moving forward. inner fenders trimmed and openings for outer frame headers. tunnel lip cut and turned upward for more clearance. heater hoses cut back for relocation. grinding down all factory welds and tabs. getting good info from Powerbyace.

tunnel lip turned up

did a lot of grinding to remove oem mount brackets, shaped the trans tunnel, shaved off the bell housing at the starter an it all seems to fit ok. now its time to make the mounts for the motor and trans. making a panel to cover the firewall and give it a flat face. seems to be plenty of room for Powerbyace headers to clear steering box.

edge of bell housing shaved off right to starter flange.
make frame clearance much better

I will be making up some plates to bolt to the motor mount holes on the motor. I can see adding a heavy angler to weld to the frame. Is there any bad effect to having a solid mount to frame without any rubber section in between?