Hi

I'm currently looking into using a 4.0l Ford engine to repower my Bedford van. I'm not trying to stir up the GM vs Ford debate here but I am after some informed opinions.

Now the reason that I am looking at a 4.0l is that the engine that is currently in the van is a mid-mounted Holden 186. This is an old engine now and unfortunately really suffers when the van is at open road speeds as the van has all the aerodynamics of a brick.

I was originally looking at replacing it with a V8 but this weekend just gone has been the first time that I have looked at it in any detail. To fit a V8 I will quite possibly have to alter the seat mountings as well as chop the main chassis rails which is a road I really don't want to go down as our modification laws here in NZ are rapidly catching up on your own.

My best option is to replace the inline six with a bigger inline 6. The 4.0l is quite a torquey engine I understand which is why I am seriously looking at these. My question is this... Which model engine would be best for my application? Cost is a consideration but I am looking at possibly an EB and could possibly go as far as an AU (though one would have to be at the right price). I'm not looking at working it to any great level but will go as far as a custom exhaust system for the obvious reason. I'm really after a solid performing, fuel injected, reliable engine. I will be using an aftermarket ECU.

So which model engine do you think? If there is a particular model in the EB-AU range I should steer clear of for any reason, I'd like to hear about that as well.

Many thanks for your time.

I'd say EL.
Dizzy based ignition, so simplicity there, plus you get the BBM manifold, which switches runners to get the best of both worlds re: intake runner length.
Seeing as you're already going Aftermarket ECU, smartlock won't be a problem.
EL motors are pretty cheap, with good performance, especially with extractors/exhaust and a better intake.

Good to see that your going to wack a decent donk in her

If it were mine, I'd bust my balls to get hold of an AU XR6 motor. Besides the VCT version, she's the smoothest of the lot, revs better and is as cheap as chips.

Failing that, go the EF / EL XR6 motor.

I have a beddy too. There is actually a company in QLD that makes the engine mounts and everything for the conversion. Do a search on google and you should find it easy. Unfortunately I'm not going that route as my beddy is a nice original converted camper that has the stocko Vauxhal slant 4

cheers
Scott

XR6T POWERED BEDDY

Good call

Imagine what a weapon that would be...

then itd be an extremly fast dangerous brick

depend on budjet...

hell u could put in a rebuilt 186 with a 202 head
tripple webbers roller rockers and a noice cam

easier and cheaper than the 4.0

Not really. I already have a 186 with a 149 head and a 2 barrel Holley on it and unfortunately it just doesn't have enough herbs at the top end and it drinks a phenomenal amount of juice. Also the engine is just getting too old and they were designed to run on leaded fuel. I'd have to harden the valve seats etc and it's a road I really don't want to go down.



Thanks for that and I've had a bit of a look but haven't been able to find anything. You wouldn't know the name of the company? It might be of limited value as my engine is slung off a crossmember bolted to the old gearbox mounts but it would be good to see what they are offering as it may save me re-inventing the wheel so to speak.

Well it looks like an EL will be the way to go unless I find an AU at the right price. I now have something I can research furthur so thank you very much for your comments.

One more question.... As far as the XR6 goes, as these are more of a performance engine, is bottom end torque sacrificed for greater top-end?

ok fair enough

the Xr6 engine ran a differnt ecu and the head was slightly different as was the cam

from what i can tell no bottom end tourque sacrificed

u should be able to find an Au engine and box for under 1k with low kms

but to run the injected engine u will need a aftermarkey ecu ,

Thank you for that. I'll start doing a bit of research now with the search function here and bone up on the EL and AU as well as pricing what we have locally.

I was already planning on an aftermarket ECU such as a Link G2 or similar as it'll be a lot easier for me to wire to one of those as opposed to trying to get the standard ECU and wiring loom to fit. I'm already running an aftermarket ECU on the WRX and am a great fan of them although the WRX has a Greddy PowerFC.

good s**t!

i just had a thought

what about a 253 V8? i have 1 in my Ht kinswood and it has been known as a towing engine, hell it twists the chassis in my HT no dramas in first, all it had was a hi po ignition and exhaust! and could tow 3 tones+car at 100kmhr with ease HEAPS of bottom end torque

a good fresnened up 253 with a holley 350carb, yellow terra heads,cam and extractors have seen 200+kw at the treads in teh commondore cup series

bonus of this route is that the heads will be unleaded allready, no problems and work needed with ecu's fuel injection, emissions and the like

Nice thought and that would probably work ok if the engine was in the original location but as we shifted the engine back about a metre it now sits between the 2 front seats. It sits right between the main chassis rails and to fit a V8 I'm going to have to chop the rails which means some major structural work.

I'd have to do this if I was fitting a V6 as well hence my interest in the Ford 4 litre straight 6 not to mention it's good reputation.





At the end of the day I just want to take the old unit out, fluff around with the mountings, drop in the new one with a minimum of fuss, wire it up and Bob's your aunt's live-in lover. I've still got front discs and a jag rear end to fit yet.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

ahh i c

few dramas i can see
\
the ford 4l is a xflow head...so it has the intake and exhaust on either side so u will need to make room for the intake
also the block is wider and longer
i wish i had the measurements for u but i dont but i am sure someone will know

what about the VK EFI motor or VL turbo motor? wouldnt they be even easier to put in?