Ok, I bought a Prochem 405 with 2800 hours from a customer who bought a new El Diablo. The problem is that it needs a cylinder head and the parts are getting very hard to find because this is a discontinued engine. This engine is a 32 hp and I was thinking about installing a Kohler 28hp liquid cooled. I think the Kohler 28hp will still have more than enough power for the #4 blower and should generate good heat. I could go with a Kohler fuel injected 31 HP but it costs about $500 more than the 28. The money really isnt the issue, it's the fact that I will be re-selling it and want to make a decent return on it. What do you guys think? I am open for all ideas! And no, the cyl. head cannot be machined, it is far too warped.
Turn it into a direct drive. Are the heads somthing like this or were the engines just in the B210's? Datsun 2000 roadster u20 head http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dats...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories I have a backup running engine with 5900 hrs. from a performer I am stripping for parts. I would be inclined to trade it for a Performer exhaust HX. The cylinder heads are made or that rare metal, unobtainum.
If you rebuild that nissan engine, you will have an engine that will outlast everything else on the machine. Those engines are bulletproof. modifying for another engine would be a huge pia
Chris, how did you check the heads? The reason I ask is a good machine shop can do wonders for it depending on how it is warped. It can be metalized, then milled. Get me some specifics and I might be able to give you some help.
Richard, I cannot rebuild it with a warped head. The bottom end, I am sure, is in great shape. I agree with you though, that it is a great engine. Newman, if I had a HX to trade you, I would take that engine off of your hands. Would you sell it outright? Unobtainium! Nice! Gary, I measured the head myself, then had an auto machine shop confirm. It was out by .035" which is alot. The grind limit is .008". I will call you next week. Thinking about it now, I would almost rather put a different engine in it, because I would hate to sell it to someone and then have them go through this crap.
Just my thoughts. Since you are certain the engine can't be repaired I would go with the cheaper Kohler engine. If you spend the extra 500 bucks on the fuel injected engine I think it is unlikely you will recover it on the sale of the machine, but if you think you can go for it. You have to ask yourself, "Will someone pay me an extra $500. or more because I put a better, more expensive engine on this machine?" If you can answer yes to that then do it.
I agree, Randy. And I don't think I could get an extra $500 for the machine, not the way the economy is now.
Chris, I would hold off on buying that other engine. I'm sure you will find an A-12 somewhere or a head for that matter.
I would call a fork lift scrap yard or a bunch of scrap yards. We have one by us, I could stop by. A fork lift service co. may be able to help too. The datsun 1200 forum says an A15 head will swap too.
Dave, I actually got ahold of an A15 head and it wouldnt work, the manifold ports were a different shape.
Good to know! You want me to swing by the fork lift place? Are there different A12 heads? Do you have a part #?
Wow, David! That would be great man! Don't go out of your way, but if you are in the neighborhood I would appreciate it. I think there are different styles of the A12 head , but I will try to get you a part# and I will also give you the block #. I will PM you next week with that info. I have tried a few places online that deal with forklifts, but you never where there might be one. Thanks again!
This place has hundreds if not thousands of them. I always thought if I needed a motor, that is the first stop. LMK
keep looking there is one out there!! I had an A-12 with over 19,000 hrs sold it to a guy who uses the engine to run his house generator, it's still running today!!! good engine
I would also check more engines to see if the head would work off of them. Nissan made that engine since the late sixties I believe. Finding an early 1.3 or 1.2 engine in a wrecking yard shouldn't be that hard. I can confirm that the head gasket is the same for all years of a series engines. Also I would be comfortable shaving the head more than is usually recomended. These heads don't house a camshaft so there is very little that can be messed up by being a little out of shape.
I'd have someone fix that head by building it up and re-machining it before replacing that engine. That's if I just couldn't find a used replacement after looking EVERYWHERE!!!
