motor sizes

[Gunning]

gday all
i still in planning stages in regard to motors and gearboxes. For a while i was thinking a v6 and auto. i dont want to cut the floor or firewall if possible
im now thinking of a small block, maybe the vortec type and an auto behind that......chooosing an auto because i want beddie as a freedom / relaxing cruising machine

Would i have to cut out any of the floor for a small block, is the small block narrower than a v6?
i have read about placing motor back and aiming for it to sit lower
id appreciate some advice and knowledge from those who know....i dont know about motors
thank you for your time

[Gordon]

I've had a few vans with V8's fitted and have looked at countless others that have been converted. In all cases the floor had to be cut and a larger engine cover fabricated to accommodate the V8.  I've also seen two van's converted to the Holden 3.8 V6 and in both cases not only was a modification required to the floor and engine cover, but the firewall also had to be cut.

[Sammy]

I agree with Gordon, unless you stay with a straight 6 I don't think your going to escape the floor mods!

I know certain motors are more compact than others and this will help with the size of the hole, but I guess it depends what you want, I personally went with a 304 efi motor and 4 speed auto 1. because I had it aready and 2. because it isn't too bad of a fit (aside from the cutting of the floor), c heap to get parts and when setup correctly will be perfect for what I want!

at the end of the day anything's possible, and if you do decide on a V6/8 I suggest before you go too far, find a local engineer and have a chat to them about what they are happy with before you go cutting!

[Postie Bob]

My usual `getaround` is a `92 Ford Courier 2.6 efi , 5sp box .
I`ve had a helluva good run out of it , reliable & economical , and have often wondered how the motor/trans would go in my dear `ol Beddy .  Has anyone gone back a couple of cylinders :-) .
Just a thought....
Cheers, Bob.

[Gunning]

thanks for the replies and advice guys. i think ill try for a v8, ill drop in to vic roads, find out the latest in regards to a conversion, find an engineer and then save
Ive been thinking of a vortec 350, 290 hp

[BusyKiwi]

You need to work out what you want the van for and how much you'll use it.
Example, a camper with a lot of weight (water tanks, extra fuel tank ...) would be better off with a diesel engine.
Being a hoon/boy racer you'd want power (I actually had more power in my Holden V6 than I had in a standard 350 chev) but can cost you more in petrol and tyres etc
If you just want to cruise, have the power to get you out of trouble (or into trouble) when needed, ability to tow something but be cheaper on the wallet (petrol wise) then something later model, like the vortec or Holden V6

You also have to remember the Bedford isn't very aerodymatic, well as much as a brick anyways , so will never be as cheap as a jap crap to run, nor as fast as a modern car, although you can get enough out of it to scare you a bit/lot.

If I was to do another standard van (everyday cruiser), I'd probably go the Holden v6 again but add the factory blower to it, and chip it. A custom van however kinda needs the V8 (not always but sounds great), but in saying that my V6 van ran 2 cobies and everyone thought it was a V8

[wendyh]

TURBO the 202 IS THE GO ! 
fits downunder the passenger side....
very noticable increase in horsepower !  WOOHOOO! 
most welcome to take mine for a test drive 

[Gunning]

thanks Busy and Wendy. If im ever back up that way ill let you know and see if we can tee something up
What i want the beddie for is a cruiser and getaway on weekends, no plans yet for towing things. No interest in hooning with it, it isnt going to be a speed demon. Id like to have a bit of grunt there just in case i need it for something. Theres also the v8.....having a v8 in mind, hopefully have a great sound too
just hope the guys at vicroads give me the ok for the conversion

[wendyh]

ahhh i dont really HOON in my van...it just gave the 202 so get  up n go on step hills...the 5 speed and taller rims geared it up a bit high so when u began a steep incline the van would realy slow down quickly.
its a way of getting more out of the van without the headache of fittng a V8.
Havnet towed with the van turboed yet...but i carry a load once a fortnight  from sydney back home to lake maquarie

[Gunning]

lake macquarie.... my parents came from around there. Mum was more cardiff and dad was swansea / belmont area
I lived around that area as a kid, i remember swimming around spears point
that was late 70s early 80s