Yanmar Kubota engine swap

[JohnOBrien]

My YM155 engine has failed and the rebuild is prooving to be too expensive. A friend has a Kubota 3 cylinder engine which he says looks exactly same as my 02TR13A-F engine and has offered it as a present.
Has anyone ever swapped over engine from Kubota to yanmar ?
Or anyone know whats involved. My friend thinks it just involves moving the radiator forward a couple of inches and the flywheel, clutch, driveshaft and bell housing will match up correctly without any alteration.
Bizarre ?
Advise needed

 

[4get gto]

Can't give you any advice other than I'd put your wenches in your friends hand and let him go at it...

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Time to take some measurements!!

SR

 

[FleetMan]

Sounds interesting, keep us posted. Brings back memories from my “Hot Rod” days in the ‘50s. ((Boy, does that date me?)

 

[Altona]

Well, your friend may know best but to be prudent I'd do a lot of measurements and research. A lot of Korean and Japanese companies did partial manufacturing for each other and licensed designs etc (and still do) so it may be an easy swap. You may, once past the measurements, want to research the Kubota engine for HP, torque etc to ensure it downstream components can take it. Some one mentioned their hot rod days and in mine we managed to get a 454 V8 into a 66 Chevelle complete with tranny. took a while filled all the space. Being teenagers we didn't think it past there and you know what happened to the rear end and axles. LOL
If your friend is knowledgable and likes this sort of thing he'd be a great asset to have during the swap.

 

[TractorGuy]

Go for it!

 

[CoyPatton]

Well, your friend may know best but to be prudent I'd do a lot of measurements and research. A lot of Korean and Japanese companies did partial manufacturing for each other and licensed designs etc (and still do) so it may be an easy swap. You may, once past the measurements, want to research the Kubota engine for HP, torque etc to ensure it downstream components can take it. Some one mentioned their hot rod days and in mine we managed to get a 454 V8 into a 66 Chevelle complete with tranny. took a while filled all the space. Being teenagers we didn't think it past there and you know what happened to the rear end and axles. LOL
If your friend is knowledgable and likes this sort of thing he'd be a great asset to have during the swap.

I know what happened to the rear diff! Unfortunately been there did not. Also unfortunately, the lack of thought still persist. I know guys that have chipped motors to up the output torque and the HP, but did not think of the effect on other components. Usually the tranny goes quick as it is not robust enough to handle the increase in power.

 

[California]

I know what happened to the rear diff! Unfortunately been there did not. Also unfortunately, the lack of thought still persist. I know guys that have chipped motors to up the output torque and the HP, but did not think of the effect on other components. Usually the tranny goes quick as it is not robust enough to handle the increase in power.

Worst case I remember was I somehow ended up with an early Cadillac ohv V8 and Hydramatic included in some swaps for something I wanted. Maybe around 330 ci and early 50's, I don't remember. A friend in my HS car club shoehorned the whole thing into a cut down 32 Chevy coupe, with an adequate rear axle. But - another HS friend borrowed an arc welder and did all his welding - motor mounts, steering box moved, etc.

First time to the drag strip he got only a few yards when it upshifted. The engine revolved right out of its mounts and the welded chassis broke. He skidded to a stop with what was left of the coupe laid over on its side, engine roaring. Total loss. Fun times.

 

[California]

As for that Kubota/Yanmar engine swap it seems to me unlikely that would bolt up. And have the right dimensions on everything, transmission input shaft, clearance for the starter, maybe height to get the hood back on, other unexpected stuff.

No harm in trying but when we did engine swaps on old cars we generally needed a specialty adapter bellhousing to mate dis-similar engine/driveline combos.

Off topic - I once had a 56 Willys Wagon that someone long before had put a Studebaker 259 V8 into. That engine is a near twin to SBC, I suspect GM built them. Why Studebaker? Because that engine and transmission bolted up perfectly. Both used Early Jeep bolt pattern.

re excess torque, I put a spiral crack in the specialty adapter bell housing of my next Willys Wagon. The Y-block Ford 292 had too much torque. Way up in the woods. Drove all the way home with no clutch pedal function. Each of those Willys Wagons was one summer's adventures then sold, not worth the unreliability offroad. The following Wagoneer ran a decade without issues.

Ok back on topic .... (I'm stuck in town at the moment and bored silly with this covid quarantine).

 

[Altona]

LOL, sadly I can just picture that!:laughing: