253 Wagon Engine conversion "The Anchor"

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LOK15
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253 Wagon Engine conversion "The Anchor"

Post by LOK15 »

This is just a quick build thread on fitting a 253 into a late model wagon. Nothing special, just need to document it.
Car and motor
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Moving the boat anchor from house to shed.. no mean feat over dirt n grass
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Quick scale weigh to know how much the springs will hurt
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Prefit
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getting close to optimal location
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A few goodies
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gotta get a converter as it didnt come with one
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Last edited by LOK15 on Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Getting too old for this s*#t!!
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LOK15
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by LOK15 »

Ok!

More work on placement, its right where i'm happy with it sitting.

Steering rack will have to be lowered about 20mm
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Used the factory gemini gearbox mount and lined it up with factory holes
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Might sit a smidgeon higher that where it is placed now, but its in the middle, and in best position. I will have to trim and reinforce the passenger side webbing.
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So far this is the only spot i can find that doesnt have enough clearance
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Getting too old for this s*#t!!
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Jonno
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by Jonno »

What happened to 1uz
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LOK15
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by LOK15 »

Jonno wrote:What happened to 1uz
Still in the works, im 200cc over for an early model so awaiting more info on special permissions
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by Jonno »

Oooh man :(
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LOK15
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by LOK15 »

Doing some house painting atm, so wont have any updates for quite a few days :(
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by LOK15 »

Ok, engine out ad onto stand. Removed sump and pickup and did the comparison to the gem sump.. I have to say HOLY MOLY ITS CLOSE!!!!!

One side is literally identical to the other, only difference is bolt hole spacing. You can almost bolt the gem sump straight onto the 8, 2 front sump holes line up, but rear ones are about 1/2 a hole out each!!!.. But alas, gem sump is wider on the opposite side.

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Now i chopped them both, and have it sitting in place, have measured crank clearance to sump and its ok. Oil pickup needs to be extended backwards 30mm and the gemini head welded onto it.
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Getting too old for this s*#t!!
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LOK15
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by LOK15 »

Trial sump is in, to clear its gotta sit a little higher than i thought. Steering rack is close, like too close, so need to drop it down 10mm for me to be happy with it.

Forgot to snap pics
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Jonno
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by Jonno »

People have been putting old s*#t v8s into these things since forever. Have you spoken to anyone who's done the conversion? Did they do anything to lower the rack? No other viable ways around it?
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by LOK15 »

Jonno wrote:People have been putting old s*#t v8s into these things since forever. Have you spoken to anyone who's done the conversion? Did they do anything to lower the rack? No other viable ways around it?
Yeah, most solid mount engine and they arent registered. Gotta do legal stuff to make it legal ;)
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion

Post by Jonno »

Is this what the engineer has said?
Scott did everything possible to avoid lowering mine in the red Gemini. He rebuild my sump to suit it.

Bump steer and such seems like a s*#t thing.
Check your pms on bookface if engineer has said do the above I'll shut up.
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion "The Anchor"

Post by LOK15 »

So i found some 304 alloy heads , but because i'd have to get another set of lifters and pushrods, manifold and extractors, plus doing some work to them, i probably wont get them.. Shame really, it'd decrease engine weight considerably, and up the performance!

And going back to original sump and modifying it. Less messing around for me at days end.
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion "The Anchor"

Post by Jonno »

If they fit why not? VN heads is good?
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion "The Anchor"

Post by LOK15 »

Jonno wrote:If they fit why not? VN heads is good?
these are alloy heads. Which would mean more easily ported. im not too keen to buy another cam especially when i already have a brand new lumpy cam to put in it, or intake maifold as i already bought an aftermarket one of those too.
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LOK15
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Re: 253 Wagon Engine conversion "The Anchor"

Post by LOK15 »

Sump Take 2

Changed my mind and decided to go another direction. Maybe trial fit during week and get engine mounts sorted out.

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Oil pickup welded on, smaller than holden on to fit in the narrower sump.

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Getting too old for this s*#t!!
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