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Hey guys. New to the site. I have a 1979 luv truck with the original 1.9liter engine and trans in it. I drove it in high school and have kept it in a garage ever since. When i put it away something under the valve cover was clinking. It had been rebuilt once before and i wasnt sure of the problem. Anyway, now i want to drive it again. And i want to know the easiest way to make it dependable and have decent gas mileage. I'm looking for an easy swap. Like an S-10 motor. Thanks for your help.

Nice lookin LUV!!!
Welcome


If you're looking for dependability and fuel mileage,I would fix the original drivetrain,especially if it's half as clean as the body seems to be.
Take a look at the upgrade thread and you might change your mind about a swap

As far as swaps are concerned,well,seems anything is possible with enough imagination,skills,tools and Friends.
But just about any swap requires some fabrication.
There is a link to an article on the Main website on the V-8 swap.

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"You can't please everyone,so you've got to please yourself"

thanks for the reply. What about upgrading my current motor to fuel injection? Is that possible?

It could be done, it would take a ton of work but it can be done.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Well. The easiest would just to fix the valve clatter on the original engine. It had blown a head gasket once before and chipped a piston so it has been rebuilt. When i put it away there was something inside the valve cover making a ticking noise. The reason i am thinking about an engine swap is because i drive about 5 hours to visit my family every couple months. And while the original engine wouldnt be hard to fix, my fond memories of barely driving 70mph on the highway don't seem too fun. So, it would be nice to know where to begin with a little bigger motor.

There are some posts on putting a different 4 cylinder engines, 6 cylinder engines, and v8 engines. It is all a trade off somewhere. The gearing in the rear end is one. Overdrive (5speed) transmissions are another way. Time is another factor, do you need to drive it now or wait. Read what others have done or are doing, and ask questions...

Nice looking truck...

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75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

Im looking to get it up and running within a few months. An overdrive transmission is another great idea. What kind of overdrive tranny would bolt onto the original 1.9l?

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75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

I would look for a complete (damaged) TF series pickup with a good 2.6L EFI motor and 5 speed.

Take the time to swap the drive line and EFI into your Luv. As well as the power steering. With the 5 speed behind the 2.6l you will need the early luv hydraulic clutch setup and you will get a remote gear shifter, that will put the gear stick back further than a bench seat will allow. Bucket seats or a modified bench will be needed.

Std Luv diff will hold up well as long as you dont drive it hard.
The diff center out of a RWD Impulse will fit in the diff, 3.9 ratio and Manuals were LSD. Again not real strong but it depends how you drive.


But to do that will take time.


Of you could just fix the std motor.
You need a 5 speed from a carby Pup or I-mark.


Bob.

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Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

to FI you luv i would do this... thinking of doing it to one of mine... TBI'S on G180/G200 intake

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My old but now gone Luv...

where are you located?

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No luv right now =(

Another thing to think about is you'll have to cut part of your firewall out for the dist to fit, and that goes for the 2.3 and the 2.6 ask me how I know. Unless you move the motor and trans forward.