Old wagons, new engines?

I have no doubt that this has been discussed here before but I still want to know. Like the title says, old wagons, new engines... Are there any newer engines (say an 80s 5.0L V8) with corrisponding transmissions, etc. that can be put into an older wagon (like a 60s Mercury Colony Park)? Im curious about more than just Mercurys. I also know that it would be rediculous to put a 4cyl into a 70s Chrysler T & C. But what could be done that is realistic and, if at all, practical?

 

Someday, I'll get around to installing a modern 5.7 Hemi in my 67 Belvedere wagon. A buddy of mine has the engine sitting on an engine stand with nothing to put it in (he was going to put it in his 69 Dart before the Dart was destroyed in a fire).

 

Suchs for the Dart, but good for you. What kind of performance do you expect to get from the swap? Mileage?

 

I get a miserable 15 MPG in a big quad cab Dodge truck but even it has great performance. It's possible with the right mods to get 20 MPG in a lighter car.
As for newer engine swaps into old vehicles, it's been done since the horse was put out to pasture and the first old car was sold. The most well know were the Ford flatheads into 32 Fords, T-buckets, and Model A's. Then the small block Chevy into everything imaginable. As other V-8's came out, small sixes came out of the cars and were repalced by everything from Caddy motors to Studebakers.
Even a little Kia could have a Hemi in it!
NO MORE POOR KIA !

 

The 302, aka 5.0 is pretty ubiquitous swap.
The basic engine block is the same, it just has stuff like fuel injection rather than a carb, maybe some better heads. I've got a lightly built six in my Fairmont, and with a V8 it would become a muscle car. Too much power for a daily driver, IMHO, if all you're doing is puttering to the grocery store.

 

That's all we do with our old cars, putter to stores, cruise-ins, scenic rides, and occasional car shows. Realized long ago it was too expensive to go 1/4 mile in a short time.
There are many small, even four cylinder, engines now that will work great in anything from a Model T on up.

 

Cat, Im begining to think that you miss the Kia as much as me. Now Im curious. How would the little L4 4cyl 2.4L engine from the Kia do in a big clamshell wagon?

 

It probably couldn't pull the weight up a small hill. Much like the little car struggling to pull the trailer up the hill in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q-acxPJqGk

 

Engine swaps are done all the time. When I blew the 4ZE1 engine in our Trooper up, I briefly considered replacing it with the little Perkins diesel my pop always talked about dropping in something he drove.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDG6hwpou80

 

I also missed a toothache and hemeroids but that doesn't mean I want them again!
The Kia engine in a large clamshell wagon would make a great traction helper when placed over the rear wheels as ballast in winter.

 

I understand you can get kits to put Duramax Turbo-diesels with the Allison 6-speeds into quite an assortment of vehicles already!
Ultimate tow vehicle??

 

I'm putting a 2006 Chevy 5.3L LS series engine and a matching 4L60E overdrive transmission in my '66 Chevy II Wagon.
It only makes good sence to do it, if for no other reason than the extremely poor gasoline that our country is shooving down our tanks.

Numerous others have done these swaps, and many are getting 25-30+ MPG on highway trips, and 20-up on town/city driving.

My car will be my daily driver.

 

Good luck Glen. A great way to combine old and new.

 

If the 2.3 ever goes in Arthur, Ma' 90 Volvo 245, it will be replaced with a Ford 302/5 speed combo. Slides right in, and the highway mileage may even improve! The trick to real world economy is to match the torque curve to the gearing and weight of the car. Using your example of the mid-60s Mercury, a late 80s 351W with the AOD would net you fantastic mileage, plus better handling. The Windsor small block weighs considerably less than the 390, so the weight distribution is better balanced.

 

While not a wagon, someone did swap a 2.3 Turbo I4 into an Edsel:

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1959-edsel-eco-boost/