Starter on the wrong side.

[joeisuzu]

Hi everyone! My isuzu engine build (3.1L), did not end well. My isuzu is now a total loss. I went out and bought a 1984 jeep. figured I could make the engine work in that vehicle since it has a 2.8L in it. The only hitch I have found is the starter location. The isuzu engine has the starter on the opposite side of the engine. The bell housing off the the rodeo is not removeable. I cant tell if the jeep bell housing is removeable or not. Its in the single digits here in utah right now, (high of 18 for about a week, low 2 above). Does this mean that I will have to have another block bored/align bored/decked? Is there a bell housing that might make this engine work for me? Possibly an adapter? Any help would be very welcome. Thanks in advance.
Mark aka joe isuzu.

[geoffinbc]

If there is enough material on the block you can drill the other side for the starter. Its done on the 3.4L swaps. You will also miss one bolt hole on each engine mount but it is not a concern. Did you have the 84 block bored for the larger mains of the 3.1L and modified for a one piece seal if it was possible? A 3.1L crank will not fit the small mains of an 84 block.

You should have started with an Isuzu truck block. Or a Chevy Van FWD block that had iron heads. They are all the same.

[joeisuzu]

Thanks for the info. The origional build was for a 1992 isuzu rodeo. Unfortunately my carport collapsed on top of the project rodeo and its a total loss. Smashed the roof and broke out the windows on the rodeo. The long block is from the rodeo, so the starter is on the wrong side for the jeep. I'll send it back to the machine shop and have it drilled for the starter on the other side then.

[geoffinbc]

Ok so your problem will just be opposite. Still not sure on how the engine mount bosses will line up with the Jeep mounts. But look on the bright side. If it doesn't work out you can get an Isuzu for the engine

[joeisuzu]

Fortunately I saved the old rodeo. I can cut the old frame mounts off if I have to. I might transplant the tbi into the jeep also. I'll have to check the block and see if there is enough metal on the block to drill out new holes. I guess at worst I will have to get a core block and start over with .040 over bore and .010 off the deck....

[bszopi]

I am pretty sure all of the older blocks (pre-3100s) have enough space to drill for the starter.

[joeisuzu]

I'm getting a little closer to the answere to my above question. Moving the starter from the passengers side to the drivers side is common. Moving the starter from the drivers side to the passengers side must not be done very often. Ok, When moving the starter from the passengers side to the drivers side, do you drill the holes in the exact same spot but on the other side of the block? If so I would reverse the move and it should work? (in theory). If so I have located a web site with a drill guide for drilling the starter bolt holes. Anyone know?

[ForcedFirebird]

Don't want to notch the bellhousing, or is the starter interfering with something else?

[joeisuzu]

Only problem with fitment might be the header and the oil filter. I'd wrather move it if its possible. I can screw up on most anything and want to avoid anything too complex. I'm going to buy that drill guide on a leap of faith. If it doesn't work then I'll notch out the bell housing. thanks for the info, I wasn't aware I could do that.

[ForcedFirebird]

The starter drill jig works good, many, many Fiero owners have installed the 3.4 in their cars with it without issues.

[geoffinbc]

Is that starter jig going to work on both sides. Is is not designed to make a passenger side starter go on the drivers side? Or will it work either way?