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Thoughts on a Ford Clevo in a Kombi... doable and how much of a pain?

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Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#779834
Allllllrighty!... I'm going to be hoiking the 302 Cleveland motor out of my XD soon and throwing in a worked 351. The 302 should still be a good candidate as a rebuilder, so that is just what I intend to do... rebuild it... just cos I can.🙅

Now, I had a hairbrain idea the other day involving replacing the clapped out EA81 in my scoobydoo powered '76 Microbus project with something a little more sprightly... then the diabolical idea involving the Kombi and the soon to be spare V8 came to mind!🤓

Sooooo... dunno if it's been done before or if it's even feasibly possible, so I thought I'd ask for some opinions from the more adventurous people out there?

Dya reckon a Clevo could be crammed in there with the gearbox remaining where it is, would it require a bit of of modding of the engine lid and beavertail, if so, would ground clearance be any good, or is it just too big an engine to fit in that kinda hole?

Thoughts?... ideas? Bearing in mind I'm not going to go out of my way to find a V8 that WILL fit if a Cleveland won't... I'll just keep it Scooby.

Cheers!
Kieran
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

mactaylor Custom Title Time!

1,005 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#779844
can be done be prepared for plenty of crap from others, but they are probly right, sorry!
EVERLAST CONCRETE TANKS
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Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#779852
mactaylor wrote:can be done be prepared for plenty of crap from others, but they are probly right, sorry!
Hey... if I cared what other people thought about my tastes, I wouldn't build VW's or Fords... so bring the crap on bishes! 🙅
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#779857
idea, sell the old 302 and ea81 and buy an EJ20 or something....?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#779926
colonel mustard wrote:idea, sell the old 302 and ea81 and buy an EJ20 or something....?
schmo likes things simple 😂

go on fella do it, you know you wanna
a few other bent 8 busses around, although they never fit under a stock doggy door
they pop a mean wheelie though

trickysimon 100km/h is only 9 seconds away

1,473 posts · joined Dec 2007 ·

#779929
Rebuild the 308, put it in the XD.
Put the worked 350 in the bus 🤘😎

pod i`ve got to finish this thing one day

4,980 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#779953
would be better with a windsor as the v isnt as wide, and Simon you have holden ,chev on your mind there as ford motors are 302 and 351👍
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helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#779955
I love Windsor V8's. They are a great unit and that is coming from a Holden/ GM man. However in the back of a bus the weight of the iron V8 would alter the weight distribution and handling in a more negative way than the increase in horsepower. A Subaru SOHC like the EJ22 will slip straight in with no mods to the body at all and have ample horsepower, albeit not as much torque. Big advantage is that the EJ22 will pass engineering and registration real easy.
EJ22 into Bay Microbus - Finished project build thread- click on this spot here for info

trickysimon 100km/h is only 9 seconds away

1,473 posts · joined Dec 2007 ·

#779956
pod wrote:would be better with a windsor as the v isnt as wide, and Simon you have holden ,chev on your mind there as ford motors are 302 and 351👍
Meh, same thing different badge lol

Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#779973
Thanks for the encouragement guys... I knew there were a few buses getting round with the Leyland and Rover V8's in em, just never really had the oppportunity to compare it to a Ford V8 and see how much of a size difference there is. I know the Windsor is a more compact engine than the Clevo... and I think I recall seeing one bus around that had a 302W in the back at a show once, but I figure seeing as tho I will have a spare Clevo sitting around (once I get the sloppy heads sorted), it might be worth having a shot at throwing it in... given the bus has been hacked a bit anyway when the scoob was put in.👍

Valid point about the handling Pete... I imagine it'd be a bit of a sack on corners and would need to go up a couple of splines at the rear and have a nice fat swaybar put on to make it handle at all, tho realistically it doesn't bother me too much. I wanna toy with this mostly for the sake of proving a point to myself! 😀 I know it would be a bit of a pain to get engineeered but nothing is impossible...👍

Not overly savvvy to the idea of an EJ motor really... I'd rather have minimal electronics for the sake of simplicity (yes I know a Carter TQ four-barrel is far from simple but still... ), so it'll either be a case of hack in the 302, or go with an EA82.

Anyway... I might do some measuring when I get time and see what kinda tolerances I'm dealing with.

CHeers!
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

modulus Veteran Volks Folk

2,009 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#780018
I think that with the torque of a 302 that you would be getting to know your gearbox builder *really* well, *really* often.

hth
Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.au

Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#780199
Yeh I am thinking I'd probably be looking at getting hold of an 091 auto and having it maybe beefed up a little if possible... I'd had to be pulling a 302 out the bottom every 6 months when i trash a clutch anyway. 😂
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

colonel mustard Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,829 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#780200
invest in a hoist so you can life the car off the engine and box...

Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#780202
Mmmmmm... I am thining the beavertail would probably have to be modified anyway so I'd ay I'll end up making it removable if a V8 is to go in. Tho a hoist would be a nice bit of kit to have in the garage. Was actually half considering seeing if my dad will split the cost of one with me to have installed at his property, as at the moment he uses his mates one.... when it doesn't have a Stag, a GT6, or a MkII Jag on it! 😂
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

wolfgang54 Officially Full-On Dubber

238 posts · joined May 2010 ·

#780229
put a lexus 4.0 V8 in.. light and would cost the sum of the ford rebuild parts...
1954 Beetle
2003 Beetle 2.0
2004 Turbo Beetle 1.8
2007 Touareg tdi (retired)
2009 Pajero Tdi Shorty (retired)
2011 FJ Crusier
1973 P76

Wish list:

Porsche 550
zooey deschanel

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#780234
Schmoburger wrote:Mmmmmm... I am thining the beavertail would probably have to be modified anyway so I'd ay I'll end up making it removable if a V8 is to go in. Tho a hoist would be a nice bit of kit to have in the garage. Was actually half considering seeing if my dad will split the cost of one with me to have installed at his property, as at the moment he uses his mates one.... when it doesn't have a Stag, a GT6, or a MkII Jag on it! 😂
a pommy car with problems? you talk crazy 😂

nah its only prince of darkness that lets them down

i remember being stranded on the side of the road in a freinds MGA more than once courtesy of a lucas fuel pump

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#780240
helbus wrote:I love Windsor V8's. They are a great unit and that is coming from a Holden/ GM man. However in the back of a bus the weight of the iron V8 would alter the weight distribution and handling in a more negative way than the increase in horsepower. A Subaru SOHC like the EJ22 will slip straight in with no mods to the body at all and have ample horsepower, albeit not as much torque. Big advantage is that the EJ22 will pass engineering and registration real easy.
THE WEIGHT OF THE fORD ENGINE WOULD BE TOO MUCH...

THATS WHY ALLOY V8s ARE USUALLY USED...

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

rocknrob Insano Dub Head

844 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#780244
yeah kombis can only carry a ton...they couldn't possibly carry an iron V8😁

Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#780584
BWAHAHAHHHAAHAHH!!! Dunno Garth, I reckon with the CLevo I'd be more concerned about blowing the bottom end.... after the sump get's muched into the crank following an uber wheelstand! 😂

Ford and VW... a winning combination or what?!?!? 👍🤖
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

gazman Seriously Crusin Dubber

101 posts · joined Jun 2007 ·

#780677
Nah, that's what wheelie bars are for 👍

Seriously though, extend the engine hatch as mentioned, raise the rear by about 2 splines and maybe some coil-overs if its too soft, hang a rad underneath.. doable
Probably more power and torque than you'll ever need and will require a few spare gearboxes, but that's all part of the fun.
The V6 Lowlight, see the build at - http://osp.metrohosting.info/kombiv6.html

Schmoburger Baywindow Mafia Godfather and Cement-Shoe Fitter

2,185 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#780825
gazman wrote:Probably more power and torque than you'll ever need and will require a few spare gearboxes, but that's all part of the fun.
Eeeeeeeexactly! 😎 Think I might give it a crack then methinks.....
1976 Kombi Trakka camper, "Buttercup"... driver.
1976 Beluxe Microbus, "Saphir"... resto.
1974 Kombi panelvan, "George"... shed.
1974 Superbug, "Schmeetle"... resto.
[img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b366/c

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#781289
if you have to do it...

then don't waste time and money on kombi boxes. 2nd hand 091 start at $500. get onto todd treibler and buy one of his WRX boxes. It's shorter, which will make the conversion easier and they are rated for 350hp which is about what you need.

And i'd swap the clevo for a windsor too. Lighter and smaller. Their are heaps of late model hotup parts for them too.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

ElusiveStranger Officially Full-On Dubber

330 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#785877
Being a stoopid Pommie... what the feck are you talking about? (Sounds good judging by the reactions on here)

rocknrob Insano Dub Head

844 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#785890
I'll explain it for you Balders...theres a guy here who has a very large boat anchor and thinks it would look nice in his kombi😂

gazman Seriously Crusin Dubber

101 posts · joined Jun 2007 ·

#785909
rocknrob wrote:theres a guy here who has a very large boat anchor...
😂 no argument there....

ES, a lot of horrible old cars with blue oval badges over here came out with 302 or 351ci cast iron v8's...
The V6 Lowlight, see the build at - http://osp.metrohosting.info/kombiv6.html

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#786068
gazman wrote:
rocknrob wrote:theres a guy here who has a very large boat anchor...
😂 no argument there....

ES, a lot of horrible old cars with blue oval badges over here came out with 302 or 351ci cast iron v8's...
to be fair EVERY old car before about 1975 came out with a cast iron block. The only real exceptions were VWs and P76s.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/