What is your FAVORITE 4 cyl for a HotRod project? MPG-HP !

I think the T9 is a 4 speed version of the T5.

I have yet to see any definitive list of bellhousing interchangeability on the newer smaller Ford engines.

Perhaps one of our European members knows more. They work with the smaller engines a lot.

 

My step grand dad had a 72 Toyota corolla with, I think, a 2TC engine.....Had a Hemi style head/V.Cover, and he had a pair of side draft webers on it, I always said if I ever built a TRACK T I was going after one of those, they came with 5spd transmissions too!!! I think they were used up thru 79 or 80, I see them on eBay from time to time, running cars for around $1000, or less, they rusted badly so they used to be plentiful in the scrap yards, that is up until $6 per 100 prices......

 

Two that I did not see mentioned previously in the thread and that are "trad" period correct.

1. Willys/Jeep flathead four

2. Ford tractor/pickup flathead four

An MGA engine might be my engine of choice for staying trad and having ohv on a budget.

If I found a Cosworth Vega engine cheap, I'd snag it and use it!

I don't think I could bring myself to use a modern Japanese engine, though they are a smart choice for power and gas mileage.

 

Most practical site for 2.0 bellhousing. This starter pocket was moved for ground clearnace but you don't have to move it. Looks like have to find a Merkur for a T9 (small 5 speed). I guess you could run the 2.0 four speed as there are also clutch discs that fit it available.
http://www.angelfire.com/space/rmodos/frames/davids02.htm

 

Since there is no substitute for cubic inches, my answer would be; what is the largest 4 cylinder commonly available for automotive application? The Pontiac "half-a-389" from the 60's must be a contender?

 

I found this one on sp@retime. I think it has a Toyota AE-86 (Corolla GT-S in USA) engine which is DOHC. They are foreign but they are also reliable.

 

Foreign..... I don't care. That thing looks like it's fun as hell. Probably gets good gas mileage and is probably reliable as a rock.

I always thought a 20R or 22R would make a great T-bucket engine.

 

Hey Rex,

How about an update on your Zetec Powered Rod?

 

We just finished a chassis for a 27 Whippet with IFS & IRS, bagged all around and an EcoTech with a 5 speed. Makes a lot of Hp for its size and seems very hopup friendly. A few to many electrics for me. Almost forgot gas went to 3.20 this morning.

 

Wasn't the Volvo B motor originally designed for tractors. From personal experience, at high rpm they will break the oil pump drive. Places like IPD sell a fix to help prevent that. Like everything Volvo, it is a heavy beefy motor - lots of iron in that block.

 

I want a Pontiac '1/2 V8' 200 cube 4 with a 4:71 GMc blower fot my Model A! Dont care what the mileage is.

 

There is a youtube video titled the worlds fastest model A.Some guy in Finland built a model A sedan with a BDA that puts out 250+HP and runs over 200kph.Even put a cover over the head so that it looks like a flathead.It is worth looking at.I started building a rod with a T/C Toyota in but somehow ended up with a cleveland,what went wrong?The little 2t and 3t hemi 4cyl Toyota would be a good choice,there is a T coupe with one I seen at Paso this year.I put one in a Corolla a couple of years a go,went pretty good and gave me 30mpg on a trip(used a 5speed).There is a variety of 4cyl motors that could be used,just do it and everyone else can like it or leave. Keep on roddin'.

 

Years ago when I began building my present roadster i had Ideas of finding an Offy... ,Then I changed my mind after looking and finding nothing and settled on a BMW 2.0 ltr four. A nice engine but it lay over on it's side like a SL/6 mopar.I straightened it up to look more normal ,but sold it and used a hemi instead.

I haven't seen any mention of the Olds Four. A strong running nice looking engine and common in the USA.

I see mention of the MGB engine...thats actually a crap engine,it runs OK in a stock MGB at MGB speeds but don't expect good power or reliability once mileage reaches 80,000.
The Volvo P1800 Engine is in fact a Ford.
A Ford Mk1,2, Consul Engine designed in England and fitted to the Consul range from 1951 through to the Zephyr 4 of 1964.
It's quite good engine but not one I would waste time on though.

But another Engine I haven't seen mention of and it surely must fit right in here are the Chevy II's that were so popular on the Dirt back in the day. I have seen them here in OZ and New Zealand,so i'll bet that plenty of useable used speed gear is available in the US to really get one to sing.
And didn't a lot of ex dirt tracker bangers end up in street driven cars when they were outmoded for racing?

 

You reffering to the Quad4? Some people use them. Though they have a reputation of having head gasket problems. And they often lead to a junk'd head.

The reputation may not be totally deserved, but it's been talked of so much that it has become gospel.

Great looking and powerful engine though.

 

I have read through all 16 pages... but....

EcoTech
Quad4

http://quad4rods.com/

 

I've been looking into the idea of using a Quad4 in a T Speedster project.

There were some definite problems blowing head gaskets, especially in the earlier engines, but by the time the 2.4 liter was introduced, that seems to have been handled. From what I understand, the majority of blown gasket, etc were caused by the different expansion/contraction characterists of the block/head. Apparently, if you really punched the gas before the engine had warmed up, troubles were bound to happen.

A good source of info in the Quad4 is:

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar49935.htm

Alstly, if anyone has Quad4 stuff that they really don't want (I mean, they ARE ALL junk, right)- donations are always being accepted

 

the 1/2 a 389 would be cool, it could even use the repro long branch exhaust and I know they were available with a 4 bbl, I remember seeing one once that had a 2x4 conversion, home made 2x4 adapter to the 4 intake but still turned heads! and that was all covered in a 61 tempest wagon, lol, imagine in the open bay of a T or an A.

 

Didn't the "half 389" have some problems with vibrations etc.? Still, it is a cool engine just because it does exist.

I like souped up Model A and B engines a lot, but if I were going to install a newer four-banger, I would probably go for a Volvo B18-B20, or a B21-B23... Because they are very sturdy, it is not impossible to tune at least the B23 to about 200 net horsepowers (without turbo), the fuel economy is OK... And it is not impossible to make them look older than they are. Of course, one big reason is that I live in Sweden where you can get an 140-240 engine donator for free, and parts for that engine are cheap here...

 

Gas is $3.20 now in SoCal (diesel is $3.60!)

My proposed personal applications for bangers are T-buckets and various T-stockers. T-buckets with stock windshields, soft tops and V-8s basically don't go over about 110 MPH anyway, so a banger is a good fit...

I like the American iron / Chevy II / slant Pontiac / Iron Duke / T banger / A banger / Model 40 banger. That said, I had a '80 (?) Volvo wagon that was bullet-proof 4-banger + 4 spd + OD.

I would consider a diesel banger, too.

BUT....(having a Willys 4x)...

I'm going to use a Willys flathead 4. Stock specs: 135 ci / 72 HP / wt=470 lbs / has oil pump. Use the OEM T-90 trans (3 sp top-loader) with aftermarket OD.

Have fun HOT RODDING it...hi-comp alum heads are available from OZ...build ur-own headers...regrind the cam...maybe substitute stronger rods...supercharge or turbo it...electronic ignition....add FI....prolly 130 HP and old-skool credentials.

Here's one guy's efforts: http://www.hometown.aol.com/oldtimegassers/fullrace.html

Yeah, I have, have had, and will have V-8 rods...so save your childish "mine's bigger than yours" posturing for someone who cares....

 

Website with photos of Joe Gemsa's OHV conversions of Model B bangers....including the R&C article on his most bitchin' T bucket...if ya can't dig this, you have no hot rod soul...

http://www.hotautoweb.com/joegb.html

http://www.hotautoweb.com/joegbdoc1.html

 

Try about $6 gallon here in New Zealand!

 

How about a Mazda Miata engine? They are rear wheel drive and have speed equipment available for them.

 

Here are a couple pic's of my T-Bucket with a Toyota 2-TC motor in it. The car was built in the late seventies and then sat in a local Toyota dealers Pole Building until I bought in Nov 2005. The only thing I had to do to the car was replace the battery and the fuel pump from sitting for twenty-three year's. Plus 100 hours of cleaning!

 

Shit, my folks just sent a 1974 corolla with a 2-TC in it off to the crusher two years ago.

 

Congrats, Himee - that's a very nice car...

 

this is an awesome thread, I'm a big fan of brand defying engine swaps for the sake of driveability.

I'm curious, I know the 20r/22r's are awesome 4 bangers from the wheeling and mountain stuff I've been in on...how do these things hold up to a mild turbo? not crazy amounts of boost but something like 4-8psi, more of a mild performance/fuel economy thing. do they require much work internally? are they fine with just pistons and a good head gasket?

 

a friend was talking the other day about a buddy of his that put a bigger turbo on his 22r turbo motor...it was hitting something like 15 pounds at 4k ....and the computer would kill the thing....he was going to try and get the computer issues taken care of and see how much it take before it pops..... they were guessing it should hit 20+ pounds by 6k....

here is a shot of my "long term" project....about ready to have the final assembly done on the 20r....lacking a cam at this time... brandon

 

I've seen other pics of your car. I LIKE it!!!

 

i finally made up the patterns for the hood and sides....thinking of going to removable headlite arrangement ....thinking of possibly going to a 18/16 wheel combo and moon disks as well ....man i just need to finish it and get it on the road ....then no more changes....hahah brandon

 

yeah....we all believe that one!