My friends moms boyfriend had a Perkins Diesel out of a Mazda truck in a Datsun 1600 Roadster. It was primer gray and was ALWAYS dirty from diesel soot. I dont know why he did it, it was a dog with that motor!

_________________
I didn' t buy it, I built it.....

Okay here is the empty bay and trans tunnel.
I can already foresee, that the A833 side shifter will require I do surgery to the trans tunnel as it is not center line on the trans.
Thats fine, and I would reshape stick to work in this close quarters environment.

Do like Sandy and put a Ford 5 speed in it. That will require a lot less surgery.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Nope no Furd for me....lol

Yes for me the A833, which is fresh rebuilt will be my only choice.
Doing a lot if measuring and checking this AM.
The 225 is tall, no doubt about it, bot sure it can get down low enough ir not yet.
Waiting on a rear sump oil pan which will help.
Once i bolt the rear sump pan on will try a preliminary fit test.
If a big NO, then so be it.
I dont mind cutting some sheet metal but reorganizing tge front suspension a big no.
I will post pics and updates either way.
I hate when a thread is started with no completion or closure.

Another Update.
Okay pulled a rear sump oil pan from a van today, along with dipstick but could not get pickup out as per clearance issues.
I did some measurements with just the pan.
While its improved there are still issues.
Engine will be a bit too high yet. The bell opening to trans tunnel is huge and high though.
Heater core tubes are on firewall and need to be cut off or moved.
In the coming days will put this oil pan on my engine and see how it sits with transmission and all.
I will post more then...
If the project goes South will state that I failed on this venture not big deal...

If it absolutely won't work, try a 360.

_________________
If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

Nah Slant 6 or no go period.
Then i will find another car for my Slant and A833 trans combo..

Further Update:

Okay so installed truck rear sump oil pan and attached bell and gave it a test fit.
Not bad, but will need to do some firewall surgery nothing to radical, at least not by my standards.
With some trimming the engine will go back another 2 1/2 inches and down at least an inch.
This will allow the engine to clear everything, steering front sway bar etc.
A rad will fit in the front, but the hood will need to be altered, so be it.
The A 833 side shifter, will present some challenge, as well as the throw out fork, as it will be adapted to work with a slave cylinder, but will deal with that after the engine and trans are in with a cut drivehaft.
There is lots of room on either side of the engine, for both servicing as well as room for a small turbo set-up.
Whaddya all think?

Look at "Davies Craig" electric water pumps. If you use one you could replace the stock water pump with a flat plate and shorten the overall length by 3 inches or so.

I did a crazy re-power of a 1980 Corvette. I tilted the radiator at a 45 degree angle and slid the bottom of the rad down into the nose.
Dunno if that could work for the Mazda but worth thinking about.

_________________
--> Check out my FI Turbo build <--
--> And the race truck build project <--
--> The Diesel Corvette <--

Thanx for the tip but the water pump is not my clearance issue.
I need more room plain and simple.
I will extract the minimal amount of tin to create a good fit.
The rad idea in the nose is exactly what I might do.
But i may have enough room.
Stay tuned.
Whaddya think of this idea.
Cool lookin little car, light and very well designed sports car suspension.

I'm eager to see how it turns out. I have a Miata slated to receive my turbo motor... someday.

_________________
--> Check out my FI Turbo build <--
--> And the race truck build project <--
--> The Diesel Corvette <--

Slant 6 #6,

I know you know this, but take it slow on the fabrication mods. If you do, you'll come up with better and better ideas for making things fit. If you have an idea, but don't like it enough, keep tinkering, there are a million ways to skin a cat. For example, it would appear that a lot of modifications will be needed in the front nose area/hood. From eyeballing your pics, it seems you could fit it in there and not have to modify the hood, but it might be extra engineering. If it were me, I'd target the final product to appear to be a stock RX7 from the outside. Think about different ways to modify hood latch, bumpers, radiator support, etc to accommodate the modification. The electric water pump idea will provide you with room you might need up front. Also consider electric fan, perhaps a pusher under the nose and yes, a tilted radiator might be needed. Don't get stuck on a particular component, e.g. a particular radiator, there are many, many choices, work your way out from the core engine/tranny fitment, but give yourself as much room as possible in the front, as you have that sloping nose.

Q: how much did the stock engine/tranny weigh? The slant is pretty heavy (400+ pounds fully laden), you may need some suspension upgrades for handling and balance.

Brian

_________________
https://tinyurl.com/yynpj4v2

I hope you got the van engine's alternator mount, that would relocate the alternator from up high on passenger side to down low on driver side. With the low hood clearance in the front, I would definitely relocate the alternator!

Brian

_________________
Flyin' Brian

74 Duster, 225, rear-mounted blow through turbo at 12psi boost, street/strip car
"Sixy Beast"

Build Update.
Did some surgical dissecting on firewall.
Allows engine back and am altering the engine mount crossmember slightly to allow engine to further drop about 1 inch.
Hood could close over all except carb.
I have needed clearance front crank pulley from sway bar, clearance at tie rod to oil pan, clearance to pull valve cover.
Rad issue is not much concern.
As far as weight no problem they handle a350 and turbo 350 easily.
Stock 12A RX7 engine and trans, 460 approx, Slant 6 and A833 and bell 600 lbs approx.
The stock suspension and body design is built very sturdy and quality with 4 link rear suspension to name 1 item.

Pics later...