Folks,

I am in the middle of a 2.6l G54b engine swap in an 1988 Mitsu pickup model SPX. It is fed emissions, 2wd, manual transmission if it matters. I bought my new engine from power pro 2000 and I have a few questions

1. Has anyone used engines from these folks before?
2. My 'original' engine has a 12 valve head and the balance shaft. The new engine does not have the jet valves, and it does not have the balance shaft. There is a bearing installed in the forward bore where the balance shaft could go, and I assume it was placed there because there is an oil drilling for that bearing that needs to be capped? Any comments/opinions on these modifications?

And finally...the new engine did not come with the oil filter center threaded stud. Based on thread measurements it is an M20 fine thread(1.5 I think). The problem is, I can't find M20 fine thread nuts anywhere to use the double-nut trick and pull it out. I've tried vice-grips and I've not been able to budge it. There isn't a hex section on this thing to use to remove it either. How do I get this thing out of my old block and into the new without screwing it up? Or are new threaded sections available for this block with a hex on them so I can install it with a deep socket?

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks,
Chris