Is it possible to just put in an engine in a car that doesn’t have one and make it work?
Posted by SubstantialEffort15@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 113 comments
Saw this short bus on facebook marketplace for $750 dollars, and it’s in good condition except for the fact it has no engine.
Can you I like, put an engine in it and make it run? Is that a thing?
Living_Fig_6386@reddit
A car has lots of parts, an engine is just one. You can't just put any engine in, you need one that fits the vehicle (as in physically fits and aligns with the other components), otherwise you are looking at a very different problem. You also need to tie the other systems of the car to the new engine -- and you need to verify all the other components are functional.
If you have to ask this question, though, you don't yet posess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform this task.
Rlchv70@reddit
Is it possible, yes. If you are on here asking that question, then it is probably too big of a project for you.
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Yeah no it’s definitely outside the realm of possibility ngl. Just fantasizing about living in a short bus
shittyhawaiitips@reddit
are you trying to relive your youth?
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
No I wasn’t diagnosed until later in life unfortunately.
airhunger_rn@reddit
If you were diagnosed with ADHD, you actually stand a chance at completing this project
Jimehhhhhhh@reddit
Usually i get tired of these types of comments but for some reason this one actually made me laugh aloud alone in my room like an idiot
IWuzRunnin@reddit
It is always nice to see someone who can laugh off people giving them a hard time and actually burn their self harder than other people do, lol.
otterland@reddit
You might not have the skills to do this engine replacement but you could work a set at the Holiday Inn Express in the Poconos.
HowsMyBuddy@reddit
Install some bike pedals and lots of gears and you can pedal that sumbitch around town
SpeedyAudi@reddit
True story. Have enough reduction gears and you’re home-free! But to answer your question OP busses were mass produced and usually common vehicles (Ford E-350, Chevy HD etc) so depending on the make, engines are super plentiful and cheap if it’s a gas. Diesel are a bit pricier
HowsMyBuddy@reddit
Hippies pedaling are way cheaper than gas or diesel these days
Schzetto@reddit
Because they run on grass?
Upstairs-Object-6683@reddit
Mussolini made the trains run on thyme.
HowsMyBuddy@reddit
Nah, man. Pedal powered bar. Modern hippies love IPAs. The old hippies are over 75 now
TheBigMan1990@reddit
Depends-if it’s an old enough diesel you could run it on used oil, you might be able to find restaurants (cooking oil) and mechanic shops (used motor oil) who’ll pay you to take it.
I once had the wacky idea of converting an old kei truck to run off of an old diesel generator motor, and then drive around selling a mobile oil change service and then just literally run the vehicle on the oil that I was getting from the oil changes.
pessimistoptimist@reddit
Have you seen the price of pot? Just to keep them high enough to keep pedaling will bankrupt you.
HowsMyBuddy@reddit
No, not stoners. Hippies.
pessimistoptimist@reddit
Arent they they basically the same except with dreads?
IndicationAromatic36@reddit
I mean you aren’t gonna be able to rip the engine out of your buddies totaled Honda Civic and throw it in the bus, you’re gonna need a pretty hefty v8 to pull that bus
Ok-Hour-8665@reddit
I mean you can stick a small block chevy into pretty much anything if there is enough space. Im sure a short bus has enough space. They take like 3 wires to run excluding spark plug wires 😛
CauliflowerTop2464@reddit
You’d have to replace everything that’s missing.
WaffleSelf@reddit
You can actually hang out in a short bus that doesn't have an engine
Cow_Man32@reddit
If you can fabricate engine mounts, wiring, fuel lines, transmission mounts, find a transmission and drive shaft that works, figure out a cooling system, and a few more things then yeah
Low-Carob9772@reddit
If you really want one... that runs and drives... they sell them all over the country very cheap at auction when they're too old for school use.... I had one... it was awesome. The surf shop in my neighborhood has one... it's awesome...
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Really? How cheap?
Low-Carob9772@reddit
Google public auctions near you....... your probably infinitely more capable of finding one running than you would be fixing one and putting it back on the road.
AlecsThorne@reddit
Probably a lot cheaper than it would cost you to repair a junker 😅 the engine is obviously missing, but there's no guarantee that the rest of the parts are acceptable either. There's a reason why many people prefer to just buy a new car instead of having major repairs done to their current one.
grislyfind@reddit
Yes, but how easy it will be depends on the body style and the age. Bus with a pickup-style cab will be easier than a van style. 1950s much easier than a modern vehicle with all the electronics.
IWuzRunnin@reddit
I'm going to come in from a different perspective... If you're getting a rolling chassis that's not rusted out or cut up/wrecked all to hell, and a motor and whatever else is needed for cheap, have the space and resources (engine stand, hand tools and so on) I think it would be a good way to learn. You don't stand to lose anything, besides some money, but there are a lot of budget options if this is something like a fox body mustang, 90s camaro, 80s-90s ford or Chevrolet truck. these are all pretty straight forward and you can get windsor motors like a 302 or 351 for fairly inexpensive, or Chevrolet lt1, l31, or even ls1 are fairly inexpensive, and all of these have inexpensive parts like stroker kits, head parts and there's a lot of interchangeability, like using ford explorer gt40p heads as an upgrade on a 302 windsor.
The weird seemingly simple things are the hardest part as long as you read up on what you're supposed to do, like a clutch pedal assembly from switching an automatic fox body to a manual transmission. That's seriously the most frustrating part of that swap. Or the driver's side header on a 4th gen camaro. The trucks in general are easier to work on with more space, while still being the same general idea as the mustang/camaro.
As far as 4 cylinder cars go, it doesn't get easier than a 90s honda civic or acura integra. They're even more Lego like than ford and Chevrolet. You can buy an integra ls, use that block, get gsr/b18c1 or civic si/b16a2 heads, vtec components and make a decent combo with just factory parts. Or even using a d16y8 from a 96-2000 civic ex, a d16z6 (from 95 and down, don't remember where they started) manifold will work if you don't have the factory intake manifold, or even the z6 head and still be fine with the timing belt/cam gear.
I bought a 1993 f150 single cab short bed flareside to show my son how to work on vehicles. It's getting rebuilt and re-freshened from the the oil pan up, and minor body work. The only thing with it being a flareside instead of fleet side, is the fenders for that bed are getting hard to find. Fleet side (smooth sides on the bed) parts are still plentiful.
theyst0lemyname@reddit
It can be done but the questions you need to be asking are why was the engine pulled?
If they pulled it because it was broken and they wanted to replace it why didn't they?
If they pulled the engine to use in something else they may have just cut things like the fuel lines, wiring, exhaust, etc. which can make a simple job in to an all day/week job when you come to put a new engine in.
If they were going to replace it and didn't then it makes me think getting the new engine is either hard, expensive or both.
Empty_Art2176@reddit
Chances are good it had a Cummins diesel in it. EVERY short bus ive found that USED to have a Cummins, the engine is gone. That could bode well that other parts are still ok. But almost every short bus ive found with a small block Chevy, or a Ford 460 are still there. Cummins are extremely popular.
Empty_Art2176@reddit
Sure, ive been doing this sinse 1985 when I was 14 years old. I have a bad habit of buying every piece of yard art I drive by. I have an entire junkyard on my property.
Fitting an engine to a vehicle, or a vehicle to an engine is EXTREMELY common, especially out here in the sticks. If you stick to the early 1980s and older, its quite easy and "inexpensive".
Back in my day you either learned by experience, or pulled your hair out trying to decipher a Chiltons book. These days there are thousands of youtube videos to show you how to get it done.
If you have the time and money, its a fun hobby.
HenryLoggins@reddit
Just depends on your skillet, and/or how hard do you want to smack it with your purse. The short answer is yes, you can put an engine in it. The longer answer / question that only you can answer - is the time and expense worth it to you?
Jacktheforkie@reddit
It’ll be easier with the stock engine, but yes you can make any engine work as long as it fits and has the relevant stuff
JMPhotographik@reddit
I can....
But if you're asking this question, I'm going to suggest that it will probably take far more time, money, knowledge and experience than you're ready for.
Educational_Bench290@reddit
Yes, if you have sufficient mechanical skills..... or the money to pay someone who has those skills. This is not a project for a novice.
Dredgeon@reddit
Engine bone's connected to the trans bone
Trans bone's connected to the driveshaft bone
Driveshaft bone's connected to the diff bone
Diff bone's connected to the axle bone
Axle bone's connected to the wheel bone
Voila. Make it all fit on the frame and you're off.
Automatic_Mulberry@reddit
Yyyyyyeeesssss.....
But there's a lot to that. "Put an engine in it" isn't quite "Let's go to the moon," but no car project ever goes as quickly, easily, or cheaply as one expects it to.
everyoneisatitman@reddit
Plan on a budget. Double it and you are halfway there. Same with time. Being reckless with time is one of my regrets.
RacingWithMitchell@reddit
Doubling your expected budget is so true!! I did hours, days of research, on my Rotary buns and knew an if the possible outcomes for rebuild expenses. I ended up guessing the motor work perfectly but failed to include the little shit. I think I ended up around $10000 into a project that was supposed to be $7k. I'm currently sitting at 15k...
everyoneisatitman@reddit
Years ago I added up every cost to do a paint job on a small car. It was over $4k. Paint is the cheapest part. I had over $400 in sandpapers alone. For blasting I had $300 in pool sand (hydroblasting). 2 types of primer, gallons of high build filler, sealer, base, clear. 20 gallons of gun cleaner.
Automatic_Mulberry@reddit
Hofstadter's law: It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's law.
I also find it costs more.
Gizmosragingerection@reddit
Yes, its possible, but if you have to ask, its not something you can do on your own.
RacingWithMitchell@reddit
Absolutely! That $1000 motor swap will be the best $5000 you ever spent. You'll learn more from this $10,000 project than anything else before
RacingWithMitchell@reddit
Absolutely, not at your skill level though. I did an engine swap on two Saturns I got dirt cheap as a track car project. One was a 98 one was a 2002. Both had a DOHC 1.9l (one had a blown engine one had a blown transmission) so I thought it should be an easy swap. What a mistake it was lol. Between 98 and 02 the head changed, the fuel system went from return to return less, one had egr one didn't, and it was cast into the head and exhaust manifold, and so on. I ended up with this hacked up pos that ran somehow but it wasn't pretty. We were able to trap 95 mph at gingerman raceway though
Loveschocolate1978@reddit
Yes, here is an entire youtube channel about doing just that: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisfromKeyfarm/videos
I might suggest going with a diesel engine though, but that's just me.
chrisdwarwick@reddit
Project Binky shows the steps for "just putting an engine in a car"
Shroomboy79@reddit
Yea that’s what I did. I bought a Honda civic without an engine and bad brakes and I put an engine and brakes on it and now it works. But also I’m 5 years deep into the project and I think I’ve finally gotten it to the point that it’ll be stock and just work, we find out tomorrow.
The engine I put in is an engine you could’ve gotten in my car from the factory but it was still difficult and I really had to learn a lot and spend a lot of money to get it to where it is now. The cars 30 years old and has like 220k miles on it apparently and I don’t have a garage so it’s made for tough times sometimes. It’s definitely hasn’t been a car I can rely on the whole time I’ve had it and it leaves me stranded sometimes. I wouldn’t change it for anything tho, I love that car and everything I’ve done to it
user_9780@reddit
You can put any engine in any car using stand alone ecu and rewiring everything from scratch.
Schzetto@reddit
Well… you need an engine, transmission, electrical components, fuel tanks, and somehow make them fit inside and work together.
Euphoric_Loquat_8651@reddit
"Can you I like, put an engine in it and make it run? Is that a thing?"
I could, with a fair amount of trial and setbacks. Others could with their eyes closed. You, since you're asking the question, likely could not.
That said, if you have the patience, perseverance, and a bit of money to burn, you might manage it. The wealth of info online today is staggering. If you do the research and move in baby steps, you might just get it done!
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
No offense, I’ve gotten a lot of comments like this and they’ve all been pretty funny so far, but the Reddit prose is so bad here that it actually irks me.
Euphoric_Loquat_8651@reddit
Well excuse me for suggesting you could actually manage it if you really tried. Fuck me, I guess.
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Eh maybe I was just worn down a bit. Sorry bud.
RadRimmer9000@reddit
The "easiest" way is to get a carburated engine, less electronics to deal with. A diesel engine will probably be the best option for the swap.
Theguyoutthere@reddit
I can, but someone probably bought it just for the engine, then sold it after they got what they wanted. Fairly common with rv’s too
No_Educator_6376@reddit
It all depends on how much money you want to spend on a. Low budget way is buy a engine from the junkyard taken from the same type of vehicle and swapping it but since it’s used there is some risk that you just installed something that is not in good shape. Find a engine shop and talk to them
Informal_Ad4399@reddit
That's assuming the bus transmission isn't shot, or on its last legs as well. That would be my next concern, after a thorough frame inspection.
No_Educator_6376@reddit
Good point but OP said everything else was good.
YeahIGotNuthin@reddit
OP may have said that, but they wouldn’t have the faintest idea whether or not that’s true.
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Yeah, you’re right, turns out I misread the description. There’s no transmission either. It’s a shell of a bus basically.
No_Educator_6376@reddit
It’s a roll of the dice.
medguy_48@reddit
You also need a transmission
ThirdSunRising@reddit
Yes and it’s probably not too hard by the standards of people who know how to do engine swaps. You’ll need a friend to guide you through your first one.
Educational_Meet1885@reddit
Turn it into a camper and move in once it's been towed to a permanent address or install an egine and join the Van Life crowd. /s
Jumpy_Childhood7548@reddit
Sure, but the problems won’t end there.
Chainsawsas70@reddit
It's Very possible, it's mostly a matter of having a good engine and transmission combo and then fitting it into the bus. You could use the same thing as it had stock or something completely different with enough fabrication skills. You could even put in a small industrial diesel that would be more than sufficient for A small bus like that. It's just a matter of money and skills.
Maynard_002000@reddit
I’m sure you can find a short bus that runs and drives for less money than it would take to get the other one running
gmehodler42069741LFG@reddit
Anything is possible with money and time.
ww11gunny@reddit
Since you're asking this question then no you can not
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Bet
unpolire@reddit
Yes, but it can be complex if the vehicle was not designed for that specific engine.
gheiminfantry@reddit
Anything is possible, with enough money.
Lewa1110@reddit
Hypothetically yes, realistically, kinda yes but with a lot more steps
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Can u give me a number of the amount of steps
Lewa1110@reddit
More than 3, less than 682
Auqakid07@reddit
Yes, it is a possibility. Lots of times its far more difficult than just that. Unless you know exactly what engine and format it needs to be in it will need some adjusting. Lots of times the shell of the vehicle will be missing parts of the engine that are not on the new one. Often times its not really cheaper than just buying the vehicle with the engine already in.
moonlite_equilibrium@reddit
With a welder and a carb anything is possible.
The better question is "is this worth doing"
TrickyPineapple5863@reddit
Sure, it’s possible. I for example put an Escalade 6.0 v8 in an Isuzu trooper, that had a 3.5L v6. I’ve put 50k miles on it. 4 cooling systems. Replaced most of the oil and trans cooler lines twice. Rebuilt the front come support three times. Had to rebuild a motor mount. Custom build exhaust manifolds. And custom build the intake system. Oh, and replace the AC three times. Accessory drive twice. And I used to be a master tech. If you find the same motor, it’s doable. But disassembled vehicles are called “basket cases” cause parts come in a basket, and lots of random stuff is missing.
shitty_advice_BDD@reddit
You can put an engine in of course. The real question is, Are you willing to pay the price to have it done.
You buy that little short bus for 750 but you could spend 10k or more to get an engine into it and working.
wedge446@reddit
Anything will fit with a cutting torch and a welder. Been there, done that. Big block mopar into a Plymouth duster, small block mopar into an 87 Mazda rx7. I did them before the conversion mounts were available. I was young(early 90's)at the time. Was it easy, NO. But i don't regret it one bit. I say go for it.
Eriknonstrata@reddit
Bus engines are available, yes. They're more than 750 bucks, as you might imagine.
Engineered_disdain@reddit
Yes for some, no for others.
If the engine you're putting in is directly compatible and you're mechanically knowledgeable on hooking it up, you can do it.
If the engine you have is not the engine meant for that vehicle and you lack the immense amount of niche technical knowledge required to do the conversion, you're gonna have a bad day
Cool-Negotiation7662@reddit
Yes that is a thing. Auto shop classes are sometimes centered on this concept. My first car was a deal like this in the back yard, but Dad was a professional mechanic.
So first things first, modern computer controlled cars must have a compatible driveline installed.
Antique carburated vehicles the driveline must fit.
I will assume modern, so you need all the information for the car just to determinebif you want the project. This starts with vin code, stock configuration and all that.
Questions are many. Is there a driveline present? Can you source a good driveline from a salvage yard. Is the exhaust and sensors present? Do you need to buy a new engine, and/or transmission? Will your sourced driveline require a rebuild, are you going to roll the dice on a boneyard engine, or is it all new?
Plug all this information into a simple set of questions: what are my costs, vs the value of the finished project, vs budget.
If the project makes numbers sense the next bit is logistics.
Where are you working on it? What is your timeline? Do you need to pay for space, tools, labor, knowledge?
By this point you are either done, or working a spreadsheet to nail process and costs while watching videos on the proposed project, and arranging purchase of a major project.
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Really?
SOOOOO.... many questions.
Short answer... it's possible, depending. But if you're asking, you might belong on the short bus and not the one trying to stuff engines in it.
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Wdym, like as the driver?
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Even asking that says you're way past needing the special ed express.
WaffleSelf@reddit
Pffft. If it exists you can cram an LS in it
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Hahahaha... touché.
weirdoldhobo1978@reddit
For $750 I doubt that a missing engine is the only issue.
YeahIGotNuthin@reddit
It’s possible, sure.
But if you’re asking this question this way, it would be cheaper for you to just buy a running bus.
Thereelgerg@reddit
Literally every car was, at one point, a thing that didn't have an engine.
Putting an engine in a car that doesn't have an engine is a pretty fucking important step in making it work.
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
Oh yeah? Tell that to Porsche 911s. They don’t have engines, I opened the hood once
theJayonnaise@reddit
A weekend engine swap can be a wonderful 6 month learning experience!! Or it just works
Timmarino@reddit
Get a crate 350 from summit and whatever adapter is needed for the tranny and get the pre 88 option with a carb no computer required. Then build what you need from there may not have a key but toggles that say power fuel pump and start stop are pretty cool. Plus most folks won’t try to steal it I had a m35 for 16 years with no key no one ever tried to take it if they did they were too dumb to start it and shift it lol
hatred-shapped@reddit
Find the engine that's supposed to be in it and see howuch that costs. Then double or triple the price for the mounts, gaskets, fluids and other things you'll need to install the engine. Then the rental or purchase price of the tools needed to install it.
burledw@reddit
“Just put in an engine” is a meme in the mechanic world, anytime a customer says “can you just…” we scream internally.
Lafinfil@reddit
How big is the bus? You could probably get several engines in it if you take out a few seats.
SubstantialEffort15@reddit (OP)
More engines = more functionality probably.
Bulocoo@reddit
Fred Flinstone bus. You propel with your feet.
Easiest id to find the right engine.
Putting a different engine is possible with excelkent welding, fabricating and adaptation skills.
I once put a V8 chevy engine into a Datsun mini truck.
Firm_Accountant2219@reddit
At some point all cars are lacking an engine, then the put one in.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy or a good idea. I helped a friend yank an engine once - he was the mechanic, I was just the help. Since then I’ve known I’d never try to pull one, much less put one in.
No_Brother_2385@reddit
Lol, "put in an engine". Put it this way if your Mechanic is like a family, Dr, the guys who put in an engine for a living are heart surgeons- and that ain't you. the good news is short Bus usually has Ford or Chevy small block straightforward to replace. The engine factory crate 5kish ( used 3k?)install another 2K.
wiseleo@reddit
Sure. It needs to be the correct engine that matches your electronics. Is it difficult? I’ve swapped engines. You’ll need an engine crane, engine leveler, a set of 1/2” drive sockets, extensions, 25” breaker bar, and ideally an impact wrench with a cordless ratchet. You’ll also want an assortment of wrenches, extensions, wobbling extensions, and so on. Many torque converters will require 12-pt sockets. All in, it’s about $500 in tools from Harbor Freight. Buses are designed for rapid service, unlike cars.
BisexualCaveman@reddit
So, in summary, barely an inconvenience?
wiseleo@reddit
For me? Yes. I can go to pick and pull, grab an engine in 2-3 hours (need to check compression and other things and choose what’s more likely to survive), pay $399 for it, and install it in the evening if I am motivated enough.
I also disassemble transmissions so I pay for just the pieces of the transmission I actually need.
porchprovider@reddit
If you have money, anything is possible, mechanically.
Tundra_Dragon@reddit
Short answer, yes.
The question is, what parts are missing that are necessary to make the engine run... If the person who pulled the engine had no use for the bus, they may have cut every fluid line and wire connected to it instead of unplugging everything. It saves a lot of time to grab a forklift with a chain wrapped around the engine, then start lifting and cutting everything thats in the way, before unbolting the engine and transmission mounts...
The next issue you face is finding an engine for that bus. Depending where you live, it might still have to pass emissions, so you'll have to use the same engine type/size that was in it. You'll also likely have to replace most of the sensors on your donor engine... You can do it afterwards, but it's just so much easier to do when the engine isn't surrounded by bus and you're trying to find the dead sensor that's keeping it from starting.
Final issue, does it have a transmission, and does it work... You won't know if it works until after you bolt an engine to it.
AmazingAsian@reddit
Like sourcing an OEM engine? Or you have deep pockets and looking for a project to do?
EggNogEpilog@reddit
Possible? Absolutely, and really not that difficult for the right people. But if you're having to ask, you aren't that person.
It's either going to be 10s of thousands in parts and labor for you to pay someone to do it for you.
Or you'll pay hundreds to thousands in tools, a few thousand in parts, thousands of hours learning how do do it, and whatever the overflow budget will be for when you mess something up learning along the way and have to redo it.
5141121@reddit
I mean, you could make a luggage rack go if you "just put an engine in it" with the right tools, equipment, and other necessary parts to make it happen.
But there's a lot more than just "the engine" involved in making it work. And without knowing what's still in there, it's tough to say what it would need.
And then there's considering if you could get the same engine, or have to do a swap of some sort, which is a whole different discipline.
VivienM7@reddit
If you're a YouTuber with serious mechanic skills, sure?
(Hell, wasn't this the plot of like 1/3rd of the episodes of Roadkill?)
Turbulent-Matter501@reddit
there is likely more wrong with it than just a hole where the engine should be. unless you're a mechanic, which you obviously aren't, or filthy rich and bored and looking for a long term project to spend your time and money on, you should skip this.