G'day

I am doing an EJ22 swap into a '77 Bay for my Father-in-law. We bought a complete but wrecked '92 Liberty auto 2wd wagon for the swap.

I have three weeks off over Xmas so I should get a fair bit done on it. Until then I am planning everything I can in advance.

I am a foreman at a fab shop so I have access to everything I need.

I am tossing up whether to fab my own adapter plate and flywheel or just buy one. The engine mount crossmember is easy. I will reverse the coolant manifold, get an EJ20T thermostat housing and make one of those heater hose adapters to go next to the thermostat. I plan on using the standard Suby radiator and fans mounted under the floor in the standard Kombi spot in a down flow arrangement. Modding the wiring is easy, I will probably rewire the whole Kombi too. I want to use a Cruiser/Coaster heater with a Commodore heater tap mounted under the front floor to mate with the Kombi air ducts and keep it looking OEM from the interior.

The questions I have are; Has anybody fitted AC to an EJ22 powered Kombi? And has anybody fitted Cruise Control to a Kombi?

The AC compressor is obviously going to be the Suby one but what do you reckon would be the best AC unit up at the cab end? Is there a good AC unit to tie in with the Cruiser heater or would it be best to get a complete HVAC unit from something else? What is good compact HVAC unit that will fit under floor or should I just fab something?

I am hoping the Cruise Control should be fairly straightforward. What hidden surprises are waiting for me? I take it that it should be hooked up to the VSS too?

I am sure that I will have many more questions but that will do me for now.

Cheers

OK, so I forgot a few questions.....

What are your thoughts on the AC Condenser being mounted in front of the radiator as per standard Suby or should I keep the radiator free of obstructions and try to mount the condenser somewhere else? If so, where?

I'd like to make sure I get the AC right first time so I don't have to keep re-gassing the system every time I do a change. It's not like it is just a coolant system.

Who's made their own adapter plates and modified flywheels? I've found a couple of threads on the subject but any info would be appreciated.

adaptor plates/flywheels; custom vee dub and volksconversions in QLD or Unicap in Sydney. all are on the web
VSS; yes you'll need one.
Rad; look up Helbus's conversion and see what he did. underneath is fine. you just need some ducting panels. I don't think they were using the liberty rad but I could be wrong. and you shouldn't need to reverse the coolent pipe.

Ask joel about the aircon, he's just done it.

alternatively, buy the whole custom vee dub kit. be easier and quicker. save you sump shortening dramas too.

The Cruise control is dead simple.
Depending on the kit you get The only thing it has to do with the engine is it connects to the throttle linkage obviously but also just takes a manifold vac hose to operate the throttle servo

Because they're universal kits they come with their own speed sensor and generally only have 1 or 2 pulses per revolution depending on the diameter of what you mount the magnets on where as Gen 1 libertys use 5 pulses per revolution which would be too much for a cruise brain.

rest is all simple, just power, ground, brake and clutch switch etc.

With the adapter plate ones like volksconversions are tried and tested, you may save a bit making your own but you also dont wanna be always dropping the engine tweaking to get it right.
I had dramas with mine in the beginning with the starter motor because the plate itself wasnt the right thickness.


Those Lib rads are pretty big, you may not fit it between the rails, is this bus gonna be at stock height?
You may find stacking the condenser and radiator together hangs down pretty low.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Lots of good info.

Yeah the bus will be stock height but I don't want it to hang down. I'll have to break out the tape measure and measure it all up.

The bus will be used for a couple of fairly long tours around Oz so we want it to be reliable and comfortable. Can't have bits hanging down underneath. I'd rather find some way of tucking it all up out of the way.

Ok so it has been a while since I updated this thread.

Over Xmas the Father-in-law Ken decided to paint his house instead so I have been giving him a hand doing that.

But I have been doing a bit on the Kombi in my spare time. The motor is out of the Suby and on the engine stand. The wiring loom and all the other bits are out of the Suby too.

I have reversed the coolant manifold, chopped it down to clear the bellhousing, welded bungs on to relocate the sensors and coolant hoses, and "clearanced" the fuel lines and loom under the intake.

I have also just taken the sump off and have started marking out where to cut it down to shorten it.

I have also bought a conversion kit off a forum member here. Hopefully Ken will have payed for it by now and it should be on its way soon.

I should be getting the Kombi from Ken's place and bringing it out to my place hopefully this week or next and getting it ready to accept the Suby motor.

Progress has been slow but it is definitely progressing and now the house is almost done being painted it should pick up again soon.