timing covers

[dusterbd13]

doing a 3400 swap into a miata.

things would be greatly simplified by using the RWD timing cover and water pump. I was GIVEN a 2.8 Camaro engine that has a carb on it. all the accessories and everything.

since this is a GRM Challenge build ($2018 to build the entire car, must be documented), id like to use what I have on hand.

near as I can tell, theres no boss for the crank position sensor cast into the cover. I didn't expect there to be, to be honest. engine is not in front of me yet, as it gets delivered next week.

I'm wondering if anyone has a picture of how the crank sensor mounts and reads the front of the crank. cant seem to find a picture online.
even better would be if someone has modified the early cover to accept the CPS. I don't mind some TIG and fab work.

other question is whether it will line up with the FWD cast oil pan.

so, ideas/experience/interchange info?

[sharkey]

the 2.8l camaro engine uses a distributor, it doesnt have a crank position sensor. another downside is the 2.8l camaro timing cover wont fit the 3400, the oil pan flange is different, and the 2.8l oil pan doesnt fit the 3400 either, so thats all a no go.

what you can do is use a 93-95 camaro/firebird 3.4l timing cover, it will bolt onto the 3400 with the 3400 oil pan. the crank sensor is a bit different though, you would have to do some custom work to make the 3400 crank sensor work. your other option would be to run the 3.4l camaro balancer, making it all a bolt on, and that may make your accessory drive work a little easier, should allow the alternator and brackets from your 2.8l camaro to work.

now something else to consider is the use of the front crank sensor. the ignition is run directly off the crank sensor thats on the passenger side of the block, not the one thats in the timing cover. the crank sensor on the timing cover is to provide the ecm with a high resolution signal to run the sequential fuel injection, when that sensor fails the engine will revert back to standard multiport injection. really its all for fuel economy and low rpm use. now to make this work properly you may require some tuning, but thats nothing that hp tuners cant solve.

[dusterbd13]

Well crap. No sense in the free 2.8 then. Thanks!

[1QUICKHATCH]

What are you using for engine management? If I was trying to do a rwd 3400 swap cheap as possible I would leave the timing cover on it and run custom coolant pipes (exhaust pipe?) And relocate the p/s pump. Then make another pipe to run to the back of the engine to the t-stat outlet.

[dusterbd13]

Plan is to run either the 04 Buick rendezvous ecm or the 01 impala ecm and harness that came with the engine.

i figured out today how to get all my needed accessories (water pump and alternator only) mounted and run with the stock timing cover.

shockingly enough, stock miata lower radiator hose fit. Looks like the miata coolant rerouting upper hose will work with the la1 thermostat in the factory location. Which is fantastic!

[1QUICKHATCH]

Nice! Be sure to post up some pictures, I always like seeing the 660 RWD swaps!

[dusterbd13]

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/may-be-little-ridiculous-2018-challenge-oddessey/134260/page1/

build thread link!