Best donor vehicle for V8 transplant into Vega?

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Best donor vehicle for V8 transplant into Vega?

Postby robert123 » Wed Oct 16, 2013 2:49 am

What's the best donor vehicle for a V8 transplant into a 1973 Vega Gt hatchback?

I have an opportunity to buy a 1985 Chevy 4x4 pickup with 350 engine and 700r4 trans.
Would this be a good donor vehicle for the engine, trans, rear end and radiator?
Is 700r4 tooo long? 700r4 different (due to transfer case) in pickup vs. car?
Radiator too big?

Or should I just buy the engine, trans and rear end separately?
*Buying them in a running vehicle I know that they all are in good shape.

Thanks
1973 Chevy Vega GT Hatchback, stock, 4-speed
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Re: Best donor vehicle for V8 transplant into Vega?

Postby Smiley » Wed Oct 16, 2013 3:41 am

4x4 trans bolts to the transfer case so it does not have a normal output shaft and mount, not what you want.
85 would have the dipstick on the wrong side for most aftermarket V8 Vega oil pans, 1955 to 1979 blocks interchange pans.
85 will have a long water punp and brackets for same, you need a short water pump,brackets and pulleys.
Rear axle too wide, Monza or 2WD S10 rear axles are the right width but will need brackets welded on.
there some places that offer bolt in 9 inch Ford axle housings but they are not cheap.
700r4 from a 2wd is a bit longer than a th350 and most require some wiring for the torque converter lock up circuit.
higher stall converters for the 700r4 are more expensive.
the length is not a big issue as you usually need a custom driveshaft anyway.
unless you plan on lots of long highway trips a TH350 from a 2WD is the cheap and simple route.
V8 Monza radiator is about the only stock radiator that fits in a V8 Vega, but aftermarket aluminum ones are coming down in price and are made in the size you need for a Vega.
Unless you find a running V8 Monza for a donor car you are better off getting the parts separately.
Last edited by Smiley on Wed Apr 09, 2014 3:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Best donor vehicle for V8 transplant into Vega?

Postby robert123 » Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:47 am

Smiley wrote:4x4 trans bolts to the transfer case so it does not have a normal output shaft and mount, not what you want.
85 would have the dipstick on the wrong side for most aftermarket V8 Vega oil pans, 1955 to 1979 blocks interchange pans.
85 will have a long water punp and brackets for same, you need a short water pump,brackets and pulleys.
Rear axle too wide, Monza or 2WD S10 rear axles are the right width but will need brackets welded on.
there some places that offer bolt in 9 inch Ford axle housings but they are not cheap.
700r4 from a 2wd is a bit longer than a th350 and most require some wiring for the torque converter lock up circuit.
higher stall converters fo the 700r4 are more expensive.
the length is not a big issue as you usually need a custom driveshaft anyway.
unless you plan on lots of long highway trips a TH350 from a 2WD is the cheap and simple route.
V8 Monza radiator is about the only stock radiator that fits in a V8 Vega, but aftermarket aluminum ones are coming down in price and are made in the size you need for a Vega.
Unless you find a running V8 Monza for a donor car you are better off getting the parts separately.


Thanks for the advice.
Vega has p/steering. -- some say the center link is a bit lower than the manual steering center link. (A few Vega magazine swap articles say you can heat-bend the Pitman arm/lower the tie rod link (?) to clear a stock SBC oil pan.) Don't mind narrowing the rear end...want a GM12-bolt or 10 bolt or Ford 9"....with the Bigger Brakes. Thinking about a 4:11 rear end gear so the 700 R4 -- though more complicated -- would be helpful (approx. 300-500 rpm drop at highway speeds?)
Got to take measurements for the radiator -- that will be project number 41.............. :mrgreen:
Wanted to get a running vehicle, so I KNOW the condition[can listen to ] engine..trans..rear are. But separately is a good option.
1973 Chevy Vega GT Hatchback, stock, 4-speed
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