We got the team together for our first build meeting today.
The team includes myself , an aircraft engineer and I will draw on my own staff for labor and cleaning including an on staff machinist and mechanic.
The first step was to wash 9 years of dust off the bits and position the transmission and diffs, get the tape measure out and thrash out ideas.
BMW M40B18 1800cc 4 cylinder Engine
It looks like the BMW engine was made for this swap.
Both the F head and the M40 are 750mm tall
The BMW is slightly longer the F head, about 20mm but it doesn't seem to be a problem as I will also be moving the front diff forward 1 or 2"
There's good clearance from the front diff to the forward mounted sump (I was thinking this might have been a problem).
BMW M40B18 engine to bell housing adapter
The Willys T18 bell housing is 365mm outside diameter and the rear of the M40 engine is 300mm OD. With the difference in diameters can make a stepped adapter that puts the engine right where the F head engine was.
Need to look at the flywheel , starter, clutch issues first
Transmission and Transfer case
The trans/transfer case hangs down 80mm (3.15") below the chassis rails and it's the one thing I hated about the Willys when off roading in Indonesia. The trans become a mud anchor and most of the available traction from the front and rear lockers went into dragging the trans through the mud.
Mounting the trans on top of the 100mm high chassis rails (4" high) is one option we looked at but I can see this is going to create a whole bunch of new problems once the engine is in and we want to mount the body so the chassis rails will be reinforced either side of the trans at about 60 to 80mm , I can live with some trans underhang if I have to and build a slipperier / shallower skid plate but my ultimate goal is a flush underside if possible.
M40B18 Donor Engine
The BMW engine is being pulled out next Saturday and the adapter should take about a week to machine. We have a small machine shop and machinist in house.
General Photos
The diff tubes will be cut to put the knuckles in their correct position.
New floor will be made up with a bolt on dog house to cover the trans and transfer case
Moving the diff further back so the 32 to 33" tires will just clear the rear of the tub