Looking into a "new" Scout; motor concerns

[Hellsbells]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum. I've owned a Scout 2, 6cyl. Years ago and had to sell it... I regret that. Recently I've sold my truck and am looking for a 4wd that will be there for me in the snow, and as a way to get out of town under any conditions. I found a '79 Scout traveler with a 345cu v8. Automatic transmission. Looking at paying around $600.

She starts up with a puff of extremely black smoke, and black dripping liquid. This vehicle has been used as an off road farm vehicle for over 10 years, and the owners just have it there (nice people). The rubber holds air and the engine starts. The transmission supposedly is fine. The engine literally squirts oil out from the valve covers. There is light rust throughout, but nothing of serious concern (which is rare where I live for such an old vehicle).

The Scout has good glass, and like I said it turns on with the key, with little hesitation. Do I know much more about it? No. Thing is that if I get this rig I can see it costing me some money. So, now, me being an occasional backyard mechanic (I've pulled out a few Chevy small blocks and Jeep motors and feel confident I could do an engine swap), I'm thinking this vehicle could serve me well down the road if I were to find a 4cyl diesel engine to put in it.

I have been doing research on the forum and I see some great advice about motors. What I would like to see is what modifications would need to be done to install specific motors. Yes, I realize that asking for a spreadsheet is a bit much, but maybe just some ideas if anyone has a list in their head of all of the motors that can go into the Scout with little to no need to customize anything. As I've not done that so I feel it would be irresponsible of me to buy a vehicle while intending to do work that I'm incapable of. If there is something simple that needs to be done, then what is it? Can I just pull a 4cylinder cummins, or an isuzu or Nissan/Ford diesel out of a vehicle and just bolt it right to the fly wheel? That seems like it would be impossible. I thought all manufacturers had specific patterns. I know you smart engineering types see where my knowledge is lacking, and I hope you will fill me in. I'm going to make this purchase, it seems, I just am looking for some wisdom on what I can be thinking about doing down the road, in terms of making this vehicle really serve a functional purpose for me for several years.

 

[FDChappie]

The 345 is an awesome engine and you'll be hard pressed to replace with anything better for it's purpose. Sounds like replacing valve cover gaskets and a rebuild on the carb May put it in good running condition. That year May have the 4bl carter thermoquad carb on it. They are trouble prone, Holley, rochester and edlebrock make good replacements.

If it were mine I'd start with a compression test and go from there.

 

[MarkO]

Csmith over at just internationals Has done a cummins 4bt swap into a traveler/terra. cummins turbo diesel-Scout II swap - binder bench

Be prepared to spend in the neighborhood well in excess of $5k by the time you are all finished.

 

[blue smoke]

Easy diesel swap? A complete Nissan sd33 or sd33t and that requires alot but it is what was offered from the factory. This is not a complete list but just to give you an idea.
1. Tranny must be changed bell housings are different.
2. Transmission crossmemeber needs to be moved back.
3. Driveshafts need to shortened and lengthened
4. The stock alternator used an external regulator so wiring needs to be changes.
5. Depending on transmission chioce May need to change tranmission cover.

Both these engines are way short on horse power compared to the 345. I would leave the 345 and tune up change some gaskets because they will last a long time and changing over to any other diesel will cost some very serious cash.

 

[Craig]

Diesel swaps do get expensive. You would be better off buying a dodge pickup with a diesel engine and make that your truck.

Scoutingout is doing a body swap onto a dodge frame.
but you would need to take a fab class at the local collage first.
Plus a couple welding classes.

I have a 345 engine in my Scout and when it had 31" tires, the Scout would get up and move.

 

[Pascoscout]

An isuzu swap will take a new tranny, new transfer case, new fuel tank and fuel system, new motor mounts, an adapter from motor to tranny and possibly tranny to t case adapter depending on what you want. You'll aslo be looking at new driveshafts and some custom work to get the engine start up/shut down to work properly. You also have to find the right year range, after 1999 I think you'll need to wire up the computer to make the engine run, 1994 - 1999 you have to plumb in the intercooler.

I am pulling parts together for an isuzu swap now. I have the engine, tranny, tcase and the adapter and I am into it $3k in just those parts. Haven't even looked at all the little stuff yet.

If you don't have welding and fabrication skills and the right equipment I'd seriously consider fixing up the 345 and running with that. Its not a speed demon but it'll go just about anywhere and on a fresh rebuild it'll last for years to come.