Head Swap Question

[v6MGB]

I have an 82 2.8L out of a Chevy Citation (FWD) and I have a 2.8L short block out of an 85 or 86 (not sure which) Fiero. Anyone know if I can install the heads I have on this block? I compared pics of the head gaskets ROL sells and the 82 citation and 85 Fiero (and 85 Camaro for that matter) are all the same picture and part number so I am guessing I can do this. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks

Daniel

[Guest]

Yes they are all the same as far as bolting on.

IIRC the Fiero shold have the "H.O." heads which are viturally indentical to teh later EFI heads, with the larger valves, and improved flow.

I will also suggest using a later block for the larger main journals, whihc are quite a bit stringer (started mid 1985, so an 86 or later), and a longtuidily mounted block for that matter, for your MG, since it will have the starter on the correct side to match to a longitudily mounted tranny, and also engine mounts will be easier to fab, due to the bolt bosses on the longitudily block that are not on the transverse mounted blocks.

[v6MGB]

Thanks Raven

The block I have is either 85 or 86. They guy I ogt it off of was not 100% sure. It is a RWD engine tho and has the engine mount bosses in the correct place for the conversion kit that I bought a while back. I had origionally obtained a FWD 2.8 from an 82 Citation and that did not work out due to the engine mount bosses being in the wrong configuration.

The heads I plan to use are off the 82 2.8. The intake I got was off a Fiero, thoug I think I may just go with the Edelbrock Car intake and a 390 CFM Holley carb. EFI sounds like it is way more trouble than it is worth. I may convert it later, but for now I just wnat the thing runnig. I have WAY too much time and money invested as of right now and I still have nothing but piles of parts :-)

Since I started this I've built an F250 4x4 and a 1 and 1/2 Baja bugs ... need to get the thing together and running - lol

Thanks for the info!

Daniel

[Guest]

I wouldn't use those '82 heads, they have the small valves, as I don't believe the H.O. 2.8 was introduced until '83. Measuer the valve diameter that will tell you. You'll have to check this, but I believe the non H.O. heads used 1.60"/1.30" valves and the H.O. heads were 1.72"/1.42". If they are notthe H.O heads I wouldn't bother with them.

What type of rear main seal does that block use? If it's a one piece you should be good as it should be a large journal block.

EFI is not that difficult to do, just some diagram reading, and splicing and voila.

[v6MGB]

I wouldn't use those '82 heads, they have the small valves, ...

What type of rear main seal does that block use? If it's a one piece you should be good as it should be a large journal block.

EFI is not that difficult to do, just some diagram reading, and splicing and voila.

Well, I have the 82 heads and my bank account is not unlimited ... so I have to stick with them for now. I can always upgrade later ...

I believe it is a one piece seal, but I'd have to go look to be sure. What's the diff large vs small journal? I'm not looking to hot rod the thing. I just want a decent engin in my MG is all ... not planning on trying to set any land speed records or anything. Heck, I doubt I'd ever even push it that hard. I'm too old to be getting tickets for street racing

I'm sure it is not all that difficult to set up the EFI system ... but I got to thinking I'd rather keep it simple for starters ... I dunno, I have to go out and dig the manifold out of the shed, it may actually be a throttle body system ... I have a half dozen cars I'm building right now and it is hard to keep track of what all is what sometimes <grin>

Thanks,

Daniel

[Guest]

The small journal versions were notorious for breaking cranks, in stock form. To date I've only seen two large journal cranks that broke, but I don't know the history of the engines, looked to be pretty beat on.

[86euro]

The small journal versions were notorious for breaking cranks, in stock form. To date I've only seen two large journal cranks that broke, but I don't know the history of the engines, looked to be pretty beat on.

I bought one of my cars with a broken crank. It was a large journal 2.8. The top end of the motor had what looked like oil baked onto it, dry and flakey. It had also spun a main bearing. What probably caused this?

Sorry for the hijack