Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey guys,

I have a 73 middie with a 3f petrol engine, well i want a diesel.
What are the best easiest engine swaps and also the most cost effective, i would like something that wont need engineering.
I dont really mind if its a bit slow.
I dont really want to spend to much

Sell it and buy a diesel version, I did and its the best thing I have done in 4x4ing.

i just got it yesterday bit soon for that

12ht if you want a 6..... or 13/14bt if you want a 4.... but you will have to make some changes to things.... as far as I know the only motor that will pretty much fit straight in is a 2f... but you're going nowhere fast there...........

would it be cheaper and more viable to do a v8 conversion?

YoungIX wrote:would it be cheaper and more viable to do a v8 conversion?

Then youd have to get it engineered, adaptor kits etc.

I think some came from the factory with a 1HZ, that way you wouldn't need a certificate and it would be a good simple engine for the middy IMO.

Don't know what would be required for this conversion though.

YoungIX wrote:would it be cheaper and more viable to do a v8 conversion?

it would be cheaper (conversion costs and rego) to sell what you've got and buy a bj74.. definately worth it in the long run with fuel economy, rego and everything is factory.

sure you're just learning this after buying a fj73 but no drama, no one says you have to keep a car a minimum lenght of time. at least if you sell it now you'll wont have time to wheel it and give it any more battle scars.

2h will fit = cheap and it will be slow for you
other wise a 1hz all the way to 1hdfte for ( rocket power and good on fuel)
bigger dollars = more go

v8 what diesel or petrol that will cost u and use the same fuel if not more as what you have

BJ73 wrote:

YoungIX wrote:would it be cheaper and more viable to do a v8 conversion?

Then youd have to get it engineered, adaptor kits etc.

I think some came from the factory with a 1HZ, that way you wouldn't need a certificate and it would be a good simple engine for the middy IMO.

I'd guess that you would still need to get it engineered, even if the 1HZ came out in other models, it didn't come in that particular model (BJ73), so would still need the certificate.

YoungIX wrote:i just got it yesterday bit soon for that

Was it free or really really cheap and in perfect condition?

If you wanted a diesel should have bought one! Any engine conversion will never be easy or cheap.

What are you reasons for a diesel anyway? I found the 3F adequate for running 35''s slow and thirsty but very reliable and heaps of off idle torque.

well it was the only decent one in my price range, And i want a diesel more for the fuel economy and torque on a long distance and also the fact that diesels are much better when it comes to water.
I found it quite hard to find any diesel middies to tell you the truth, this one is in quite good nick im only running 33's and probably wont go to 35's ........... probably hahahaha

I think i am going to go for the 13B-T does anyone know if that uses the same gear box or will that also need to be changed?

And again thanks for the advice guys.

YoungIX wrote:well it was the only decent one in my price range, And i want a diesel more for the fuel economy and torque on a long distance and also the fact that diesels are much better when it comes to water.
I found it quite hard to find any diesel middies to tell you the truth, this one is in quite good nick im only running 33's and probably wont go to 35's ........... probably hahahaha

I think i am going to go for the 13B-T does anyone know if that uses the same gear box or will that also need to be changed?

And again thanks for the advice guys.

13bt is a pretty good choice 4cl rego good strong truck engine
12ht would be even better

has same style box may need to check input shaft length though

yeh i have also read that the 12H-T is a great engine but a fair bit more expensive to buy and also alot heavier on the juice.

A 12HT is better on fuel that a 2H, common for people to get 10 litres per 100km, which is pretty impressive for a bus as big as a 60.

If you want to use a 13BT or 14BT, you'll need the gearbox input shaft specific to these motors, the input shaft for a 2H/2F/3F will not work with the 4 cylinder diesels.

so is that a matter of changing the shaft or does that mean a new box, From what i understand it wold be easier to just get a whole new box !

Diesels are hard to find, I had to travel 16hours round trip to get mine.

If changing to a B series motor the input shaft needs to be changed or use the B series gearbox. Many other parts also need to be changed, I also highly recommend a 13BT, tough little engines that loves lots of boost and flies along with decent economy.

i dont really need to change that much..... fuel lines, gearbox, clean the tank out properly, bit of wiring what else is there? i think over a period of a yr or so the diesel will pay its self off as it will be saving me on fuel. as i see it if the approx fuel economy of the 3F is 25L per 100km then for a whole yr let say (10,000km)and say fuel is averaging $1.50/L then thats $3750 yeh so that is definitely a new engine so to me after a yr or so it will be worth it.

IMO a 13BT conversion would not be economical, far to many different parts and the engine cost would be high.

The most economical conversion would be to 1HZ IMO, get a wiring loom from a HZJ75 and it would be a whole lot easier too.

ok i will look into that

just sell it and buy a diesel.

honestly the amount of $$ and time in an engine conversion is huge.
all that time you could be wheeling it instead.
and all the $$ would easily get you a diesel instead.

or sell it and buy a 1hz 80 series.

just did a 12HT into an old 75 UTE took me all of about 6 hrs
its not a hard conversion
would be easier than 13bt

i dont see many factory turbodiesel 73's out there for sale
which is what you will have ( a very cool thing)
for not much more than a std diesel one
all you need for 12 ht conversion is 2h mounts ,bell housing and flywheel etc
may be the hard road but it will end a being agood thing in the end

2h With turbo!

thrashlux wrote:just did a 12HT into an old 75 UTE took me all of about 6 hrs
its not a hard conversion
would be easier than 13bt

i dont see many factory turbodiesel 73's out there for sale
which is what you will have ( a very cool thing)
for not much more than a std diesel one
all you need for 12 ht conversion is 2h mounts ,bell housing and flywheel etc
may be the hard road but it will end a being agood thing in the end

So you didnt have to move the mounts at all? How much was your complete engine?

i know of a bloke with a bj73 for sale
denco turbo kit and water to air kit on the 3B too!