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Engine Swap: 3000 Engine Into a BN1

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BoyRacer

BoyRacer

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Since I have been posting my plans to do an engine swap into a 100-4, I thought I would share some of my other engine swaps to prove my bona fides. A '65 401 Buick into a '54 Jaguar MK VII. A '95 Ford 351W into a '72 Mercedes 300SEL. A '79 Datsun (Nissan) 280Z motor into a '60 Austin Healey 3000.
My plan right now is to put a 3000 engine into the 100-4, ala BN3.
Here's a photo of my Datsun Healey engine bay.
 

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Update. I'm not going to put a 3000 engine into a 100/4. It was pointed out to me that the shorter wheelbase 100/4 - compared to the 6 cylinder cars - would result in a bad handling situation. I have to agree.
 
Bob_Spidell said:
I'm no hexpert on engine swaps, but I think a Ford 289/302 would be a good fit. Lots of aftermarket support.
Click to expand...
The late Kent Lacy did a very nice Ford 289 swap into his 100M (yes, a factory M without a motor): > 1956 Austin-Healey 100M (MOSTLYREAL) : Registry : The MG Experience < It was his help that I put the 5.0L Ford in my BJ7 and I think I still have his saddle engine mount plans in my files somewhere if you decide to go that route. My motor puts out 345 crank horsepower and it makes for a very entertaining ride in a Healey and the 5 speed box makes cruising effortless. I'd do the swap again in a heartbeat
 
A Ford V8 is certainly a better choice than a Chevy V8. I hate having a distributor at the firewall. My main concern with installing a V8 is cutting the footwells and the intense heat. I only know what I have heard from others about that. Would a custom made set of headers avoid that problem? If so, I would definitely look at the Ford option.
Some quick research tells me that a 289/302 might weight around 460 lbs. I assume that is with iron heads. Is that more weight, or less, than the stock Austin 4 cyl?
 
The newer, 'Coyote' 302ci engines are all-aluminum and the block may actually be lighter (but the DOHC heads are MASSIVE). However ...

BullittEngine.JPG
 
Sorry. I would never put THAT in a Healey!!!!!
 
Been doing some more analyzing. The V8 configuration of an engine puts the back end of the exhaust manifold right down there where the foot wells are. I don't think custom headers can solve the problem.
With the upright configuration of an inline 4 or 6, the exhaust manifold/headers do not interfere with the foot wells.
I guess it's back to the drawing board.
 
Richard--

If you are determined to not use a V-8, and I can certainly understand that decision, why not consider one of the SOHC Japanese engines that have been stuffed into 6-cylinder Healeys. They would look appropriate and are definitely an advancement over a Healey OHV engine?

Best--Michael Oritt
 
BoyRacer said:
The V8 configuration of an engine puts the back end of the exhaust manifold right down there where the foot wells are. I don't think custom headers can solve the problem.
Click to expand...
Just leave the headers or manifold off. Save some weight and coin.
 
BoyRacer said:
Been doing some more analyzing. The V8 configuration of an engine puts the back end of the exhaust manifold right down there where the foot wells are. I don't think custom headers can solve the problem.
With the upright configuration of an inline 4 or 6, the exhaust manifold/headers do not interfere with the foot wells.
I guess it's back to the drawing board.
Click to expand...
I thought I saw somewhere that if you switch the exhaust manifolds from side to side, the outlets are at the front and the exhaust can be routed away from the foot wells.
 
healeyneil said:
How about the Mustang ecotec engine ? 2.3 litre , 4 cylinder. Sounds like it was made for it ! !
Click to expand...
I think the Ecotecs are turbo'd. My GF has a 1.5L Fusion Ecotec--I think it's a 3-cyl--and it has adequate power. But ... the 4-cyl Ecoboost in some new Mustangs has 330HP! Doubt you'd find one in a junkyard, though you never know given the way people drive Mustangs.

www.forbes.com

2021 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Premium Review: The 330 Horsepower 4-Cylinder Mustang Proves Itself

Despite the popularity of V8 Stangs, no one can contest the fact that the Ecoboost version of the Pony car is also very capable, thanks in part to forced injection.
www.forbes.com www.forbes.com
 
I'm thinking about how it looks. I want an engine in my BN1 that has components that I can recognize and identify.... like carburetors, not a mess of plastic covers, hoses, wires, tubes and other unrecognizable stuff. You can put that Coyote engine in your Healey!
 
Simmer down, y'all. I posted the photo of my Coyote just to show how preposterous a swap it would be (although Coyote crate engines don't appear to have as much crap, but may not be smog-legal). Besides, with two huge DOHC heads it wouldn't fit in a Healey, no way no how (well, maybe in a 4000).
 
Speaking of heat control, I have many times mentioned my fondness for Lizard Skin heat and sound deadening. I sprayed the whole cock pit area in my BJ7 and after about 40,000 miles I have never had a hot foot or felt uncomfortable heat while driving. Maybe it would be enough to make that 289 comfortable.
 
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