I'm currently in the middle of my VW engine swap. I have wore out the search button. So now I am posting.

PPillard has done the swap and I have tryed getting a hold of him with no luck. I was wondering if anyone can give me any help with the thickness of the adapter plate? Also the re drilling of the flywheel.

Any help would be great. Just trying to get my rig together to make a run down if Portland next month.


engine: 1.6VW Diesel NA 1980 Rabbit

tranny: Toyota 4spd 1980

All this is being put into a 1981 SJ410.


This is my resort before I start screwing stuff up.

Y'know, I haven't heard from Perry for awhile, and I put money down on an adapter from him already. This was purely on a test basis, as I understand he hasn't had his running yet. His is the only VW to Toyota adapter I know of. There is a kit or two available for fitting the VW to the Sam tranny, which has worked well enough for me and my 1.9td, but I would prefer the gearing of the Toyota if I could get it. I believe Roadless Gear has a Samurai kit, and Rocky Road was gonna get the Keltec kit going again ( this is where I got mine a few years back). Best of luck.
Erik

Thanks Erik,

I have all the parts sitting here to do the swap. My hope was Perry would be able to throwme a measurement or two to help a guy out. My flywheel goes out to the machine shop this week, when it is back I will put the engine and tranny together and try to get my tickness of the adapter plate as close as I can. I already have the template done, now it is just a matter of the thickness and to cut it. The frame is preped and ready for engine mounts and a new cross member.

If Perry gets back to me it would be great, if not I will have to stumble along. I will keep everybody updated.

Haven't done your swap, sounds cool though.

FWIW... We make engine plates for the 1.6 and the TD swap (to stock tranny). The thickness we use is 1/4". The original starter shim plate is about 1/8" and is removed in these swaps, which means you're pushing the two apart about 1/8" additional. The only real concern with this is wear on the input shaft to the pilot bearing. The 1/8" extra spacing has proven to not be a problem, and its nice to have the extra beef of a 1/4" plate.

From the picture i have of perry's rig it looks like the adapter is over 1" and posibley done out of aluminum. If I can get the plate refined enough I will have it drawn in auto cad and have a cnc shop build a perminate adapter for me.