how hard is it to get a 13-BT in a courier ? much modifications?

 

is the North American ford courier the same as the Mazda B series ? (it is here in Australia - I have a ford courier dual cab... not rotary,... yet!).
If so, do a search for Judge Ito's posts in this section about putting a rotary into a Mazda B series pickup - he had some wisdom about some models that had compatible gearboxes... (using an rx bellhousing) - then it was a matter of just fabricating engine mounts. This uses the stock tailshaft.

Regardless, Use a early model front cover on the engine and plumb in an oil drain for the turbo so you can use an early (ie pre 2nd gen) engine mount assembly - much easier to deal with. Also will need a early 13b sump to suit.

Mating a 2nd gen bonnet scoop will allow you to use the original top mount ic.

Obviously will need efi fuel system (not hard), ecu (easy), efi loom to suit ecu (should come with aftermarket ecu), need exhaust fabrication (plenty of space under car, you should be able to get away with the stock 2nd gen turbo location as there is HEAPS of space in the engine bay.
Would suggest some decent instrumentation, my courier only has speedo, water temp and fuel level qauges.

If you do it, post up some pics!

 

Yeah need to get me a truck under 74 so I dont have to smog it woop! Saving money for a REPU but there hard to find heard someone say the courier is about the same.

 

ah, ok - we didn't get a courier model that early on, only into the eighties. Mine is an 86 model.
Likely a Mazda b1600 would be the go for that era, but beware as I think they had drum brakes all 'round and would need lots of fiddling to get all manner of bits right.
If you have similar laws to here then a 13bT with a halfway decent injection should be capable of being just as clean as a carb engine from equivalent or earlier years.
The styling on early seventies Japanese pickups is definately.... different. They were also very rudimentary.

 

yeah heh

 

Conveniently a friend of mine brought his '75 Courier over a couple days ago and we took a few pics of the Courier and my '74 REPU next to each other. You can compare cosmetic differences HERE.

As for other differences, the REPU has front disks, Courier has 4 wheel drums.

I have heard there is something different in the front section of the frame. Maybe the REPU is wider up front so the motor will fit lower in the frame or something, I am not sure what it was.

REPU has stiffer strings, resulting in greater payload capacity.

 

Hey Tom you look like andre the giant in that last pic. I think its time for mr to get a repu.

 

the ford appears to lack the mazda's hip fender arches

 

The 30 year rolling smog exemption in California is in affect and will not be changed. There was an attempt to switch it to a 45 year exemption but that died in Sacramento.

So this year a 74 is smog exempt. Next year 75 ... etc...

REPU's are very hard to find, I looked for a month and didn't find any. Then found a basket case in SF and a surface rusty one in SF. Towed the rusty one home and restoration is very well on it's way.

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...53#post1920553

Unfortunately the typical REPU owner neglects or abuses their rotary truck so they tend to be lots of work to restore, but doable!

http://www.mazdarepu.com/board/forumdisplay.php3?FID=5 is your best shot at finding one online, then partstrader.com. There was a clean on in San Fernando for sale recently in recycler.com ; don't know if it's still there.

 

http://recycler.com/asp/AdDetails.as...sBAC=626&bSQ=0

Ad Type FOR SALE
Year 1974
Price $2,800.00
Price Negotiability OBO
Ad Text 1974 Mazda Rotary truck.Original 4spd & 13B engine.No accidents or repaints.New radiator,front brakes & exhaust system.All electrical & mechanical parts working good.
Extra Text The truck is smog exempt.A rare truck to have.must sell soon.
S P E C I A L P R O M O T I O N S
R'Auto Services (Insure this vehicle, warranty this vehicle, finance this vehicle)

Click here for the Wholesale/Retail value of this vehicle
C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
Phone (626) 831-3300 (Click this number to see what city you will be calling)
eMail n.ericacastro2@verizon.net

 

You may want to look into a '77 or newer Courier as they have the slightly larger cab, as well as the front disc brakes. The Mazda B-2000 is pretty much the same truck, at least here in America. I believe it's the '81 B2000 that has that rather ungainly "notched" front end treatment.

I like your avatar: "We got hosed, Tommy..."

 

does anyone know if the courier gears are interchangeable with the t2 gears? i heard that the courier final drive could be used....