> From: token@ridgecrest.ca.us
> Subject: Spit Engine and Tranny swap
>
> Hello to one and all,
>
> I've seen a few postings, in the last year and a half, about swapping
> different engines into a Spitfire. But most of these have been putting
> a GT-6 engine in or a V-6 or a V-8 (Been there, done that, a 289 ci in
> a 1978 Spit, what a waste).
> My want is a bit more basic, I would like to know if anyone on the list
> has dropped a 1500cc engine and 1978 OD tranny into a, say, 1967 that
> originally did not have OD.
> The engine swap looks very basic, almost a bolt in. The tranny, on the
> other hand, will at least require different mounts. Can the proper mounts
> be bolted in place without major mods? And what other modifications am I
> looking at? A shorter propellor shaft?
> Any help, even speculative help, is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Darrell Leach, KD6LRC DM-15, Ridgecrest, Ca
> email: token@owens.ridgecrest.ca.us
> or: darrell_leach-mti@echo.chinalake.navy.mil
This would be a bolt in swap. The rear mount should not be
a major problem and a shorter prop shaft won't be hard to
find. The early Spitfire used a differential with a smaller
flange on the pinion gear so this may not match the driveshaft,
depending on what it came out of, but you can swap the one on
the rear of the driveshaft since they both use the same U joints.
Better still, put in a later model diff, the newer ones are much
stronger. You should have a 3.89 ratio with overdrive. I believe
that early Spitfires had 4.11's or so, this would be suitable for
overdrive. To H*** with originality, this would be a nifty swap.
Dave
|