1979 "old airspeed panel" 2.0L FI (manual) into 1973 westy 1700cc (auto)

[driverfound]

ok everyone...  I've taken the old seized engine and auto tranny out of my westy and now the task of taking the motor out of the panel begins...

he's what i think and any input would be greatly appreciated..

driverfound269 (mike) and i took the old motor and auto tranny out of the westy and we finally got the shift linkage out tonight.. so now comes the install

i'm under the impression that the gas tank has to be changed out and the clutch tube has to be welded in (perfectly from what i've read).  then you bolt in the clutch pedal and run the cable and boden.  then i have to weld some nuts under the "shifter opening" in the floor so we can bolt in the stick, then install the linkage to the tranny.. once all that is done then do the transplant.

we've noticed some wire that ran from the auto shifter to under the dash.  i imagine this is light up the PRND21 window but assume there is some sort of electric locking device so that you can't start it in reverse or drive..  haven't really followed the wires yet.. will i have to jump these or something?  there's lots of stuff that has to be transferred alone with the ECU..  anything else i should watch out for???

I've never done anything this extreme before..  a clutch here and there but that's about it..  any "heads ups" would definitely help smooth out the transplant greatly..

i'm gonna miss cruising the streets in the panel but rolling down the hwy in my westy, with my 3 year old daugher, headed for the the GCVW and camping along the way is gonna make more than just me smile..  see ya at GCVW (i hope)

[driverfound]

Beuler?...... Beuler?....anyone?

[Geoff]

I dont think thats a very common swap, at least not in these parts. I only know one person who I think has done that and thats Menno but he's living somewhere on the other side of the earth in the desert. Sorry cant hep more.

[BUSDADDY]

Yes the clutch tube MUST be positioned correctly at the rear, particularly the distance to the transmission, front not so critical. The wires are usually an added harness, trace them, you can most likely remove them and reconnect the normal starter wiring. If the return line is the only reason for a gas tank swap you can tee the return into the single outlet tank, but it's still a good idea to swap the rubber lines and filler neck hose in there while the engines out.

Enlighten us as to why you need to change out the auto trans.? They don't work too bad and really open up the market if you decide to sell it.

[driverfound269]

Someone told Rob the efi computer in the old airspeed panel will only work on a manual trans.It doesn't really make sense to me other than the kick down....but wouldn't that just be a cable?

[BUSDADDY]

Can't remember if it kicks down by cable or vacuum but the ECU has nothing to do with it, tiny smog differences in the computer but nothing big enough that it won't run good.

[driverfound]

well that sux..  i read a crap load of stuff on thesamba about it and i was convinced it had to come out and that the ecu/motor/tranny had to match.  so now that were at 'the point of no return' i guess it would be wise to replace all the bushing in the shift linkage.  how often does the 'hockey stick' wear out.  geoff, you drove the van, do you think thats all it will need is the bushings?  gears are easy to find just a but sloppy.

oh hey, will the 79 manual get me down the road a bit faster than the auto?  i was thinking it would be a bit 'soft' on the hills.

[bwaz]

I think this calls for a "where is Mennon now?" poll. He was a good knowledge base for a lot of odd ball stuff.... miss him...  :'(

[driverfound269]

You should really post the pics!

[driverfound]

if i knew how i would