Swap to water-cooled?

[Wulfthang]

This is the engine end of my Trail Rail. Ford V6 Cologne with a mild cam, 3 inch riser under the Holley 4412 500cfm carb, headers, seriously mean and reliable ignition, 100 amp alternator, polished and matched ports. I got the complete engine and Kennedy adapter cheap..$400. The previous owner said he had mechanical problems with it. It was all minor stuff and easily repaired. It has enough grunt power to pull me up and down trails all day long at low rpms or fly me down the interstate at 100+ mph with no complaints.

[bobby1978]

[Axitech]

Gentlemen, you have given me lots to think about. Not sure I have the time to do a swap this year, but retirement is coming in a year or two, maybe. Definitely have the time then.
Thanks guys, I appreciate the info.
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He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36


The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.-Thomas Jefferson

[Axitech]

Gentlemen, you have given me lots to think about. Not sure I have the time to do a swap this year, but retirement is coming in a year or two, maybe. Definitely have the time then.
Thanks guys, I appreciate the info.
_________________
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36


The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.-Thomas Jefferson

[matthewl]

If you are going to pay a shop to do the work, it might be cheaper to buy a buggy that is already swapped. Shops charge $100 an hour and motor swaps always add complications. Complications = time and time is money. Most guys that have done engine swaps do it their self, so a cost is hard to pin down.
A better way to get your answer is ask how much time they have into there water-cooled swap then multiple $100 per hour add cost of parts then add 10% and that may get you close.
I'm doing my 4.3 v6 swap my self ( not done yet) and here's my list.

4.3l v6 FREE
Fuel cell FREE
Adapter plate $550
Full auto bus trans $500 if I remember right
Fuel pump and hoses and such approx $130
Exhaust parts v band, tubing , catalyitc converter( cheap one)$115
Tubing and such for motor mounts $50
New cheap axles for trans swap $120

Time
Install adapter to motor 1 hour
Install motor 1 hour
Brace rear frame and make motor mounts for heavy ASS motor 10 hours
Extend rear cage and make radiator mount 6hours
Building new exhaust ( was able to use most of the stock stuff) 1.5 hours
Routing and installing fuel lines 3 hours.

So close to 20 hours and it is not done yet.

Still need to plum the rad, trim down the ECU wire loom and some other odds and ends.
All these times don't include the time of sitting on my duff thinking of where something should go or will this work.

So if you pay a shop make sure they have done it before and use a motor that has been done a tons of time.
Or like I say buy one that is done and drive that. If you buggy has sentimental value to you, you can use the swapped one as a parts car later when you retire in a year or so as you said.
Just my two cents
Hope you find the answers your looking for.

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Check out all the Air-cooled fun on my YouTube channel https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCl9IVR1svnDmH1i6yQ4_o1Q?view_as=subscriber

[manxvair]

[dustymojave]

Axitech has a Pennsylvania street registered VW powered rail buggy with fenders and a windshield. Look up his threads.
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Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.