help swapping buick 225 into my 84 - Page 2

KONASTAR · 03-22-2009, 12:18 PM

Wow.. your buick swaps turned out really clean guys!
i have never seen one in a toyota before, but i saw it here, finally... job well done!

I've got a 69 jeepster with a buick 225 V/6. it's all original including the 27k miles on the odometer.
but i love this engine and it has tons of torque!

I got another 225 stored away. but you know, i really should have swapped in a 225 instead of a SBC 327. the chevy's just too much for my truck.

I should have gone the route you guys have taken.. lesson learned i guess!

Mike

____________________________

85 Toyota p/u 4X4 SBC 327
(and it's too damn powerful)

99 Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
(wifeys)

69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4
(27k original miles, my daily driver)

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refried · 03-22-2009, 01:03 PM

I think the Buick V6 is the perfect size and weight for the Toyotas and they don't have enough power to break things every time you get on it. I've only broken one ring gear since '82, My gf had the truck and shifted with the choke/fast idle cable pulled out too far. I had a smallblock in a FJ40 before I built this and it wasn't very practical, I wanted something I could drive everyday and still take on the beach, the Buick conversions were perfect for that purpose.
One of my customers had a mint Jeepster with a V6, it only gets driven a couple times a year while he's up here, I don't think the oil ever gets dirty. I keep trying to get him to sell it to me but it will never happen.

KONASTAR · 03-22-2009, 01:59 PM

Yeah, jeepsters are pretty rare these days. i don't think i'll be selling mines anytime soon also... haha!

We'll, before finding the other 225, i can only think of one reason to justify the V-8 swap in my p/u.
I pull a trailer behind my truck, and sometimes it's heavy cargo weight to take to my work site.
And when we go out camping, it's the huge ice cooler packed with ice, the gear and a load of firewood in both truck and trailer.

I really do miss the 22R and it's a great engine! but i needed power and the sbc did good. atleast for me.

But again, like you said, the 225 buick would have been the perfect combo overall.

Mike
_______________________________

85 Toyota p/u 4X4 & matching trailer
SBC 327 (and it's too damn powerful)

99Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
(wifeys)

69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4
(27k original miles, my daily driver)

KONASTAR · 03-22-2009, 02:10 PM

Wait a minute......Hey refried.
I have a th350 behind my sbc in the truck... does the buick V-6's have the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the chevys?

My jeepster's 225 has a th400 behind it? i gotta' look into this, seriously!

Thanks! Mike
___________________________

85 Toyota p/u 4X4 & matching trailer
SBC 327 (and it's too damn powerful)

99 Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
(wifeys)

69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4
(27k original miles, my daily driver)

refried · 03-22-2009, 04:05 PM

No, There's 2 different bellhousings, a chevy style that fits big and small blocks and another one for Buick, Pontiac, and Olds. I've seen adapter plates that will make them work.

KONASTAR · 03-23-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refried

No, There's 2 different bellhousings, a chevy style that fits big and small blocks and another one for Buick, Pontiac, and Olds. I've seen adapter plates that will make them work.

By any chance, do you know who makes these adapter plates?

And thanks for your help!

Mike
___________________________

85 Toyota p/u 4X4 & matching trailer
SBC 327 (and it's too damn powerful)

99 Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
(wifeys)

69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4
(27k original miles, my daily driver)

ryantowry_81 · 03-23-2009, 01:47 AM

you want to come to alaska i will trade you engine and trannies!!! i would love a 327 to go woth the d-60's and tractor tires that my friend is trying to sell riht now.......could be alot of fun under my truck!!!!

refried · 03-23-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KONASTAR

By any chance, do you know who makes these adapter plates?

And thanks for your help!

I'd check some of the larger speed shops like Summit, and P.A.W., The last time I put an engine in the truck I was thinking of going with a 4.3 and saw them from a few different companies I don't remember where though.
Tom

ryantowry_81 · 03-23-2009, 04:06 PM

another teaser:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=54561935

i got a crack in my radiator so it needs to be replaced for multiple reasons now but it ran great and is too quiet so i might have to get a new muffler for it...lol

KONASTAR · 03-24-2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryantowry_81

you want to come to alaska i will trade you engine and trannies!!! i would love a 327 to go woth the d-60's and tractor tires that my friend is trying to sell riht now.......could be alot of fun under my truck!!!!

lol.. the 327 would be a great candidate for that setup. lots of power for it too!
i've never dyno-ed this engine but i really should have. it has 400+ HP potential! and barely has 2k on it.

But i'm still going back and forth on this motor swap idea.
I will rebuild the 225 however, and use it as a backup motor for the jeepster or a future swap for my truck. we"ll see.

And thanks refried. Thats some useful information i can use. You guys have been great!

Mike

ryantowry_81 · 03-24-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KONASTAR

lol.. the 327 would be a great candidate for that setup. lots of power for it too!
i've never dyno-ed this engine but i really should have. it has 400+ HP potential! and barely has 2k on it.

But i'm still going back and forth on this motor swap idea.
I will rebuild the 225 however, and use it as a backup motor for the jeepster or a future swap for my truck. we"ll see.

And thanks refried. Thats some useful information i can use. You guys have been great!

Mike

yeah i wish i could have dynoed my 225!! my friend that gave it to me said they had it dynoed when they built it and it was at 250HP and 295 FTLBS but that seems really hot for a 225 but still possible. i do know mine has ported and polished heads a weiland 4 BBL aluminum intake, aftermarket cam that i dont know which one, and an elderbrock 650 on it, which is good for some HP but i dont know if it really is as high as he said.

refried · 03-24-2009, 11:33 AM

I should have about 230hp with my 3.8, It's .040 over with 9:1s, Big cam, and lots of head/intake work. I took about 1/8 inch of metal from 3 sides of all the intake ports and matched intake and gaskets, When I had them finished I opened up a '86 fuel injected motor and the size and shape of the intakes were similar to what I had done to the '80-84 heads. I would have saved myself a lot of work if I had started with the later rwd fuel injected engine. I'm only running a 390 Holley on mine because at 6000 rpm they only need 350 cfm. I like running smaller carbs for better low rpm response, I used to run a 500 on my last few engines and never had any complaints except fuel mileage.

ryantowry_81 · 03-24-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refried

I should have about 230hp with my 3.8, It's .040 over with 9:1s, Big cam, and lots of head/intake work. I took about 1/8 inch of metal from 3 sides of all the intake ports and matched intake and gaskets, When I had them finished I opened up a '86 fuel injected motor and the size and shape of the intakes were similar to what I had done to the '80-84 heads. I would have saved myself a lot of work if I had started with the later rwd fuel injected engine. I'm only running a 390 Holley on mine because at 6000 rpm they only need 350 cfm. I like running smaller carbs for better low rpm response, I used to run a 500 on my last few engines and never had any complaints except fuel mileage.

a holley 390? is that a two barrel? i didn't know that they only needed 350 at 6000 rpm, i just had a four barrel intake and an elderbrock sitting in the garage and threw it on there, i think it is even still jetted for a 350...i still need to tune it up.
yeah so i really doubt i got 250 if you are looking at 230 with all that i am probably still in the 200HP range dont you think?

I have seen these motors as high as 325HP but those are high $$$$ race motors

PhilR · 04-18-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KONASTAR

Wait a minute......Hey refried.
I have a th350 behind my sbc in the truck... does the buick V-6's have the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the chevys?

My jeepster's 225 has a th400 behind it? i gotta' look into this, seriously!

Thanks! Mike
___________________________

85 Toyota p/u 4X4 & matching trailer
SBC 327 (and it's too damn powerful)

99 Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
(wifeys)

69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4
(27k original miles, my daily driver)

The Kaiser-Jeep TH 400 needed an adapter (installed at the factory) to fit the "Dauntless" Buick V6, the Dauntless 350 and even the early AMC 360 as Kaiser got older Buick "nailhead V8" bolt pattern on their transmissions.

refried · 04-20-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryantowry_81

a holley 390? is that a two barrel? i didn't know that they only needed 350 at 6000 rpm, i just had a four barrel intake and an elderbrock sitting in the garage and threw it on there, i think it is even still jetted for a 350...i still need to tune it up.
yeah so i really doubt i got 250 if you are looking at 230 with all that i am probably still in the 200HP range dont you think?

I have seen these motors as high as 325HP but those are high $$$$ race motors

An engine needs a lot smaller carb than most people think, I think I needed a 365 cfm carb but they dont make one, so a 390 is close and leaves room for engine mods. The 390 is a 4 barrel, It's made for small displacement engines (they made them to run them on Pinto engines ). The throttle plates and venturis are smaller than a 500 or 650 cfm carb so it has much better throttle responce at low rpms but will start running out of air around 6000rpm (I have hit 5000rpm in third

and shifted it at 6500 but I don't do that often).
A stock 231 has about 165 hp, I should have about 230 with all the top end work I have in mine, If you can get 1 hp per cubic inch with a carbed motor your doing pretty good (most people are very optimistic about thier hp ratings.
The high hp engines you see are called Stage II engines, They were built by Buick for Grand National Stock car racing (and other 6 cylinder classes) and have very little in common with the passenger car engines.

ryantowry_81 · 05-05-2009, 03:35 PM

well after finally getting the buick tuned in good and most the bugs run out of it i am pulling the motor and installing a TBI 4.3....main reason is money, got offered 800 bucks for the buick and also given a free 4.3 long block and traded a muffler for a running driving 91 astro van!! so in the next three weeks i have to swap a motor figure out a wiring harness and swap in one tons!! should be fun!!! man some times my cheapness amazes even myself but if you add the 800 to my build cost, and the 300 i am getting for the toy axles it puts me at 350 dollars overall cost for the one tons, so i cant complain just lots of work!!

Adam F · 05-05-2009, 07:13 PM

What are you going to do for the trans/transfer? New motor mounts too? Sounds like a lot of work, and money.

ryantowry_81 · 05-05-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam F

What are you going to do for the trans/transfer? New motor mounts too? Sounds like a lot of work, and money.

i am going to run the w56 for now cause my buick adapter has the GM bolt holes on it too, but i am going to keep the 700r4 it has in the astro van incase i grenade the manual and then swap that in when i get her all built up so the wife can wheel too.

as for money i am getting the van and a motor for basically 40 bucks and sold the buick for 800 so i am sitting pretty money wise

oh and i used the toyota motor mounts on the buick and they rock like a mother so i would have to redo them soon anyways so thgis time i am going to use the chevy mounts and just fab them up onto my frame, pretty simple to do.

Nothingface5384 · 06-28-2009, 12:06 PM

threads a little old..but i'm very rarely on this board.

but, love the swap as i'm a huge buick fan
oh, and if you get bored with the 225 v6 any newer buick v6(3.8/4.1.not 3800 series)
and any sbb will bolt right into its place(300,340,350)
buick 350 is dirt cheap too..im tempted to drop one in instead of the chvy 4.3....just need to measure and hope it isnt too wide

oh and buick 350 only weighs 450 lbs...chevy 4.3 v6 weighs in at the same lol
any more videos of the truck?

ryantowry_81 · 06-29-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nothingface5384

threads a little old..but i'm very rarely on this board.

but, love the swap as i'm a huge buick fan
oh, and if you get bored with the 225 v6 any newer buick v6(3.8/4.1.not 3800 series)
and any sbb will bolt right into its place(300,340,350)
buick 350 is dirt cheap too..im tempted to drop one in instead of the chvy 4.3....just need to measure and hope it isnt too wide

oh and buick 350 only weighs 450 lbs...chevy 4.3 v6 weighs in at the same lol
any more videos of the truck?

yeah that 225 was an awesome motor, the only problem is price/availability of parts is scarce to non existant up here so not ideal for a trail truck! i mean the local supplier want 1k for a rebuild kit!!!!

The 225 did fit alot better than the TBI 4.3 i picked up, but i think the fuel injection will be worth the extra work.

Nothingface5384 · 06-29-2009, 01:39 PM

yea, i have both a 93 chevy 4.3 tbi and a a 73 buick 350...just trying to figure which one would be better suited
both weigh 450 lbs
both have similar HP and TQ rating..350 has a tad more in both plus at lower rpms
2barrel vs tbi
hmm... lol
apperently all i need to do is pass a visual ..and sniffer if i go over 5k a yr

ryantowry_81 · 06-29-2009, 04:57 PM

i think my next one will be a small block 350 with tbi, fuel injection is soooo nice on the trail, never worry about flooding running rich lean with altitude change, good on agles and tbi is pretty easy to wire so no real down fall. oh and trust me there will be another, i still got to build the wife a rig!

Nothingface5384 · 10-17-2009, 05:14 PM

i know this post is old, but just wanted to retract my statement

buick 350 wont fit into a 3rd gen toyota as its too wide...it'd hit the steering shaft..so you;d have to offset the shaft somehow

buick 300 should fit with ease, as it has the same deckheight and exhaust port arrangement as a buick 231 v6.. and the 64 year 300 only weighs 400lbs! gotta love factory aluminum heads/intake
not sure about a buick 340...might..might not clear the dech height is in between a 300 and 350
buick 215 will work also just need to figure out the trans/case setup

03-22-2009, 01:03 PM	#27 (permalink)
refried Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Republic of Cascadia Posts: 170	I think the Buick V6 is the perfect size and weight for the Toyotas and they don't have enough power to break things every time you get on it. I've only broken one ring gear since '82, My gf had the truck and shifted with the choke/fast idle cable pulled out too far. I had a smallblock in a FJ40 before I built this and it wasn't very practical, I wanted something I could drive everyday and still take on the beach, the Buick conversions were perfect for that purpose. One of my customers had a mint Jeepster with a V6, it only gets driven a couple times a year while he's up here, I don't think the oil ever gets dirty. I keep trying to get him to sell it to me but it will never happen. __________________ 1981 Shortbed 4x4 Buick 231 V6, Turbo 350 4" springs 35x12.50 15 Bfg MT 300,000+ miles

03-22-2009, 04:05 PM	#30 (permalink)
refried Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Republic of Cascadia Posts: 170	No, There's 2 different bellhousings, a chevy style that fits big and small blocks and another one for Buick, Pontiac, and Olds. I've seen adapter plates that will make them work. __________________ 1981 Shortbed 4x4 Buick 231 V6, Turbo 350 4" springs 35x12.50 15 Bfg MT 300,000+ miles

03-23-2009, 01:47 AM	#32 (permalink)
ryantowry_81 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 422	you want to come to alaska i will trade you engine and trannies!!! i would love a 327 to go woth the d-60's and tractor tires that my friend is trying to sell riht now.......could be alot of fun under my truck!!!! __________________ the "Turtle": now the mutant turtle..... 84 ex cab 63" chevies Rears Up Front Square Drive Shaft d60f 14 bolt rear welded both with 5.38's home brew hi steer 42x15-15 TSL's TBI 4.3 V-6 pretty much stock!!! Denali offroad club: http://www.denalioffroadclub.com/for...orum/index.php

03-23-2009, 04:06 PM	#34 (permalink)
ryantowry_81 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 422	another teaser: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=54561935 i got a crack in my radiator so it needs to be replaced for multiple reasons now but it ran great and is too quiet so i might have to get a new muffler for it...lol __________________ the "Turtle": now the mutant turtle..... 84 ex cab 63" chevies Rears Up Front Square Drive Shaft d60f 14 bolt rear welded both with 5.38's home brew hi steer 42x15-15 TSL's TBI 4.3 V-6 pretty much stock!!! Denali offroad club: http://www.denalioffroadclub.com/for...orum/index.php Last edited by ryantowry_81; 03-23-2009 at 04:07 PM.

03-24-2009, 11:33 AM	#37 (permalink)
refried Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Republic of Cascadia Posts: 170	I should have about 230hp with my 3.8, It's .040 over with 9:1s, Big cam, and lots of head/intake work. I took about 1/8 inch of metal from 3 sides of all the intake ports and matched intake and gaskets, When I had them finished I opened up a '86 fuel injected motor and the size and shape of the intakes were similar to what I had done to the '80-84 heads. I would have saved myself a lot of work if I had started with the later rwd fuel injected engine. I'm only running a 390 Holley on mine because at 6000 rpm they only need 350 cfm. I like running smaller carbs for better low rpm response, I used to run a 500 on my last few engines and never had any complaints except fuel mileage. __________________ 1981 Shortbed 4x4 Buick 231 V6, Turbo 350 4" springs 35x12.50 15 Bfg MT 300,000+ miles

03-22-2009, 01:59 PM	#28 (permalink)
KONASTAR Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kona, Hawaii Posts: 108	Yeah, jeepsters are pretty rare these days. i don't think i'll be selling mines anytime soon also... haha! We'll, before finding the other 225, i can only think of one reason to justify the V-8 swap in my p/u. I pull a trailer behind my truck, and sometimes it's heavy cargo weight to take to my work site. And when we go out camping, it's the huge ice cooler packed with ice, the gear and a load of firewood in both truck and trailer. I really do miss the 22R and it's a great engine! but i needed power and the sbc did good. atleast for me. But again, like you said, the 225 buick would have been the perfect combo overall. Mike _______________________________ 85 Toyota p/u 4X4 & matching trailer SBC 327 (and it's too damn powerful) 99Toyota 4-Runner 4X4 (wifeys) 69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4 (27k original miles, my daily driver)

03-22-2009, 02:10 PM	#29 (permalink)
KONASTAR Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kona, Hawaii Posts: 108	Wait a minute......Hey refried. I have a th350 behind my sbc in the truck... does the buick V-6's have the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the chevys? My jeepster's 225 has a th400 behind it? i gotta' look into this, seriously! Thanks! Mike ___________________________ 85 Toyota p/u 4X4 & matching trailer SBC 327 (and it's too damn powerful) 99 Toyota 4-Runner 4X4 (wifeys) 69 Kaiser Jeepster Commando 4X4 (27k original miles, my daily driver)

05-05-2009, 03:35 PM	#41 (permalink)
ryantowry_81 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 422	well after finally getting the buick tuned in good and most the bugs run out of it i am pulling the motor and installing a TBI 4.3....main reason is money, got offered 800 bucks for the buick and also given a free 4.3 long block and traded a muffler for a running driving 91 astro van!! so in the next three weeks i have to swap a motor figure out a wiring harness and swap in one tons!! should be fun!!! man some times my cheapness amazes even myself but if you add the 800 to my build cost, and the 300 i am getting for the toy axles it puts me at 350 dollars overall cost for the one tons, so i cant complain just lots of work!! __________________ the "Turtle": now the mutant turtle..... 84 ex cab 63" chevies Rears Up Front Square Drive Shaft d60f 14 bolt rear welded both with 5.38's home brew hi steer 42x15-15 TSL's TBI 4.3 V-6 pretty much stock!!! Denali offroad club: http://www.denalioffroadclub.com/for...orum/index.php

05-05-2009, 07:13 PM	#42 (permalink)
Adam F Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 2,398	What are you going to do for the trans/transfer? New motor mounts too? Sounds like a lot of work, and money. __________________ 88 4Runner. 350 V8, R150 5-speed. SAS, 36" TSL's, elocker rear

06-28-2009, 12:06 PM	#44 (permalink)
Nothingface5384 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: pgh,pa Posts: 11	threads a little old..but i'm very rarely on this board. but, love the swap as i'm a huge buick fan oh, and if you get bored with the 225 v6 any newer buick v6(3.8/4.1.not 3800 series) and any sbb will bolt right into its place(300,340,350) buick 350 is dirt cheap too..im tempted to drop one in instead of the chvy 4.3....just need to measure and hope it isnt too wide oh and buick 350 only weighs 450 lbs...chevy 4.3 v6 weighs in at the same lol any more videos of the truck? Last edited by Nothingface5384; 06-28-2009 at 12:21 PM.

06-29-2009, 01:39 PM	#46 (permalink)
Nothingface5384 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: pgh,pa Posts: 11	yea, i have both a 93 chevy 4.3 tbi and a a 73 buick 350...just trying to figure which one would be better suited both weigh 450 lbs both have similar HP and TQ rating..350 has a tad more in both plus at lower rpms 2barrel vs tbi hmm... lol apperently all i need to do is pass a visual ..and sniffer if i go over 5k a yr

06-29-2009, 04:57 PM	#47 (permalink)
ryantowry_81 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 422	i think my next one will be a small block 350 with tbi, fuel injection is soooo nice on the trail, never worry about flooding running rich lean with altitude change, good on agles and tbi is pretty easy to wire so no real down fall. oh and trust me there will be another, i still got to build the wife a rig! __________________ the "Turtle": now the mutant turtle..... 84 ex cab 63" chevies Rears Up Front Square Drive Shaft d60f 14 bolt rear welded both with 5.38's home brew hi steer 42x15-15 TSL's TBI 4.3 V-6 pretty much stock!!! Denali offroad club: http://www.denalioffroadclub.com/for...orum/index.php

10-17-2009, 05:14 PM	#48 (permalink)
Nothingface5384 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: pgh,pa Posts: 11	i know this post is old, but just wanted to retract my statement buick 350 wont fit into a 3rd gen toyota as its too wide...it'd hit the steering shaft..so you;d have to offset the shaft somehow buick 300 should fit with ease, as it has the same deckheight and exhaust port arrangement as a buick 231 v6.. and the 64 year 300 only weighs 400lbs! gotta love factory aluminum heads/intake not sure about a buick 340...might..might not clear the dech height is in between a 300 and 350 buick 215 will work also just need to figure out the trans/case setup Last edited by Nothingface5384; 10-17-2009 at 05:17 PM.

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