Dodge A100 225 : Engine replace or rebuild? Which way to go?

A100

A100

New member
Hi,

First of all I'd like to thank you :icon_surp for your time and interest in my question.

Best course of action to the old worn out engine?

Budget: $1500-$2000

Considering:

A) rebuild the old motor via a pro shop?
Concern: The block may crack one day because of its age

B) Put a newer engine in
Concern: What alternative engines will be the most compatible?
And is it more expensive to do so?

I love my van and I want to keep it going for a long time more.
Does anyone know someone who has done such a project?

Thank you,
A100

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225's don't crack from age. These are really tough little engines (this one lasted 40+ years). If there is a problem with these vans, it's that the engine has to be removed and installed thru the interior. The front seats will need to be pulled and probably a door removed. I'd rebuild the little six and keep it original.

By the way, big block engines (361,383,400,413,426 & 440) won't fit if you decide to swap engines. You'll need a small block V8 to upgrade, new mounts, an upgraded radiator and I doubt that little 904 will bolt up to a V8. For a $2K budget I'd just rering and reseal the engine.
 
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haha that thing is badass, I love the brass knuckle bumpers
unfortunately I know nothing about old Mopars, but if I were you, id keep it original, or turbo it
 
Swifster said:
225's don't crack from age. These are really tough little engines (this one lasted 40+ years). If there is a problem with these vans, it's that the engine has to be removed and installed thru the interior. The front seats will need to be pulled and probably a door removed. I'd rebuild the little six and keep it original.

By the way, big block engines (361,383,400,413,426 & 440) won't fit if you decide to swap engines. You'll need a small block V8 to upgrade, new mounts, an upgraded radiator and I doubt that little 904 will bolt up to a V8. For a $2K budget I'd just rering and reseal the engine.
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1.the engine, if you read old service manuals or watch the old tech movies on A-100 they call for you to use a lift and remove the engine from the bottom, i on the other hand did mine thought the interior, the seats are mounted to the seat brackets with pull pins, they come out easy, doors open past 90* once the limiter strap is removed.

2. a big block WILL fit, its VERY, VERY,VERY tight, and you have to use stock exhaust manifolds, oh yea btw its a tight fit, idk if i said that

3. some v8's came from the factory with 904s behind them, 273,318s.... none of the hi-po shit but they did.


jeeeez swifster, i always thought u were the MAN when it came to this old shit :)




but for 2 grand, yea your not putting a v8 in a A-100

factory v8 motor mounts are $$$$

or your can use the stock 6cyl mount on the right side, and a extremely modified 1990 ramcharger mount on the left side, BUT it will be solid mounted


like swifster said, the 225 is a GREAT motor, damn near impossible to blow up, if your switching to a v8 your gonna need v8 throttle linkages ($$$$) or a custom made cable. i would just have the 6 gone through and if you want to hot rod it check out http://www.cliffordperformance.net/


very nice van BTW, but you gotta do something about them wheels!
 
DannyDodge said:
1.the engine, if you read old service manuals or watch the old tech movies on A-100 they call for you to use a lift and remove the engine from the bottom, i on the other hand did mine thought the interior, the seats are mounted to the seat brackets with pull pins, they come out easy, doors open past 90* once the limiter strap is removed.

2. a big block WILL fit, its VERY, VERY,VERY tight, and you have to use stock exhaust manifolds, oh yea btw its a tight fit, idk if i said that

3. some v8's came from the factory with 904s behind them, 273,318s.... none of the hi-po shit but they did.


jeeeez swifster, i always thought u were the MAN when it came to this old shit :)
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I've never seen an engine pulled from the bottom. But then none of us had a hoist to do it from the bottom. As for a big block, we never tried squeezing one in there. It was cramped enough with a small block. I know small blocks came with 904's, but I couldn't remember if a 6 cylinder trans would bolt up to the small block. Then again, most of us had 4-speeds.... :) .
 
Dear members,

It is a very welcoming experience reading all your posts and so many so soon too!
Thank you very much for the needed info.

Moneypit: I will check Mpparts. Thank you
Fryguy302: thanks
Swifster: thank you for the list of motors that won't fit and the best choice for my budget.
82hatch: Thanks for the opinion. I seriously consider it.
cjmatt: Thanks. Turbo... hmmm
DannyDodge: Thank you Danny for the great detailed info about the challenges with a V8 install.


I am overwhelmed by the generosity of your replies. THANK YOU!
I feel like I found a nice group of friends.
 
with a hoist, engine comes out the bottom easier then most come out the top, remove trans, unhook everything from the engine, bolt a engine stand to the engine, lower it till the stand is on the ground, remove the engine mount brackets, raise the truck off the engine

if it was harder out the top, you could have the truck on stands, and lower the engine down to the floor with the picker, but sounds like it isnt too hard out the top
 
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DannyDodge said:
but for 2 grand, yea your not putting a v8 in a A-100

very nice van BTW, but you gotta do something about them wheels!
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Thanks very much for the detailed motor comparability info.

1) Off the top of your head: is there any other motor that can fit with out too much hassle or expense.
It can be a 4cyl. I don't care. if its cheaper it is going in.
When I have more funds Ill invest it a really nice motor.

2) Yes, the wheels need to be changed. I am looking for dogdish from American racing or equivalent.

I am really leaning toward overhauling the whole motor just because it is original and it feels right to do. Perhaps busting my headnut over saving some money with a different motor just wastes time and energy which is worth more than the money I save.

Thanks Danny.
 
A100 said:
Thanks very much for the detailed motor comparability info.

1) Off the top of your head: is there any other motor that can fit with out too much hassle or expense.
It can be a 4cyl. I don't care. if its cheaper it is going in.
When I have more funds Ill invest it a really nice motor.

2) Yes, the wheels need to be changed. I am looking for dogdish from American racing or equivalent.

I am really leaning toward overhauling the whole motor just because it is original and it feels right to do. Perhaps busting my headnut over saving some money with a different motor just wastes time and energy which is worth more than the money I save.

Thanks Danny.
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Fryguy302 said:
The slant six is a great engine, I had one back in the day. It should be simple to rebuild it.
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^this^


it would be cheaper and easier to just rebuild the /6


i have no idea how you'd do a 4 cyl, and i wouldnt recommend that anyways lol

the 225 is a great motor and they last forever,as long as its not smoking or nocking, i'd say run it.
 
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