March 16, 2025, 04:27:13 PM

Author Topic: 4.3L V6 / TH350 -> 85 FB  (Read 6398 times)

Offline Aatxe

4.3L V6 / TH350 -> 85 FB
« on: July 25, 2013, 12:45:56 PM »
     So, after being subjected to a father obsessed with cars for most of my life I've finally broken and have started my first project. Will be alot of learning and mistakes but hopefully will be pretty freakin awesome! :D

   First, here is my influence:





    My dads had this car since I was like 4, and I've seen it go from a completely stock to what it is now and really wanna do something just as awesome. Now back on topic....

Last year I was able to pick me up an '85 GS for pretty cheap. Fuel system was FUBAR but drove it home.






Spent most of the winter tidying up the interior / trying to fix what the PO had screwed up, we finally got to working on the engine this spring. Aaaaand then one of my dads workmates was selling a 4.3L V6 + TH350 for $350 and our brains started a wandering and the project took a complete u-turn in about 24 hours.  The car went from this:



to this:



Within a day, and now in the process of collecting parts / fitting / cleaning everything :D



More INC!
« Last Edit: September 01, 2013, 08:40:55 PM by Aatxe »

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2013, 01:07:41 PM »
Heres all the pics I have up till now:

http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/bmwing04/library/RX7%20pics?sort=3&page=1

Getting headers here in a couple days so we can see how everything fits and start fab'ing up some engine mounts.

Offline uummm

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2013, 02:27:35 PM »
Looks like a fun project.  I really like the amc too.  That gas tank though EL OH FUCKING EL.  That is about the worst idea I have ever seen.  Good luck with the project though, it should drive much better and much more reliable when your done.
The magic triangle spins in the peanut and then apex seals come out.

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2013, 02:32:30 PM »
<- Excited :D. And yeah....been spending alot of time trying to fix the stupid.

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2013, 08:42:08 PM »
Test fitting some new parts


LOADS of cleaning to do but one thing at a time right? Test fitting motor.


Fits in with the headers but just barely.

New(changed for clearance) + old crappy rusted oil pan


Got new fan / radiator....getting intake here in the next week or 2. Originally bought the carb for the 12a but should work pretty good on here....

Offline N2v8fcs

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #5 on: August 04, 2013, 11:48:11 PM »
Will the HEI distributor clear?
:drive:
new personal best 11.45 @ 120 mph N/A car...9.11 @152 mph for the turbo car.


1987 FC  355 SBC, T-5, T2 rear        retired 5-4-11
1991 FC  383 SBC, sold to Dad. Now 5.3 w 76mm turbo, G-force T-5, 8.8 Ronin rear 
1990 FC  370 CID 6.0 w 88mm turbo, Powerglide, Ronin 8.8 w 3.15 gears

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #6 on: August 05, 2013, 03:13:05 PM »
  From where we mounted it up just barely, lol

How its looking atm



Offline usmcpi

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #7 on: August 09, 2013, 07:41:21 AM »
Is your dad Captain America?

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L swap
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2013, 05:30:10 PM »
Nope, but awesome nonetheless. :D

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L -> 85 FB swap
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2013, 01:52:21 PM »
  Been pretty slow as we've been making pretty much anything we can ourselves. Currently how its sitting atm

Current motor mounts:


Transmission mount:

Wheels:


7.5" rearend:


Just got the new intake this morning. Pulling the motor out tonight and get to start cleaning her up and paint ready.

Offline trickygotmein

Re: Backyard 4.3L -> 85 FB swap
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2013, 07:50:50 AM »
Great progress !  If you take your time this car will be Beautiful. What color are you thinking about painting the body? Keep the pictures comming .
:D     W A R   H O R S E      :D

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L -> 85 FB swap
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2013, 03:10:22 PM »
 Thinking about a medium blue at the moment. And with that said....





How the engine is sitting atm. Engine compartment soon.

Offline trickygotmein

Re: Backyard 4.3L -> 85 FB swap
« Reply #12 on: August 18, 2013, 04:49:52 PM »
That is beautiful ! Im painting mine tonight. Black n chrome
:D     W A R   H O R S E      :D

Offline Aatxe

Re: Backyard 4.3L -> 85 FB swap
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2013, 07:27:00 PM »
Radiator + mounts:





2 hours + can of engine degreaser does wonders....


Offline N2v8fcs

Re: Backyard 4.3L -> 85 FB swap
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2013, 07:26:38 AM »
That radiator fits nicely. What size is it?
:drive:
new personal best 11.45 @ 120 mph N/A car...9.11 @152 mph for the turbo car.


1987 FC  355 SBC, T-5, T2 rear        retired 5-4-11
1991 FC  383 SBC, sold to Dad. Now 5.3 w 76mm turbo, G-force T-5, 8.8 Ronin rear 
1990 FC  370 CID 6.0 w 88mm turbo, Powerglide, Ronin 8.8 w 3.15 gears