Picked up the engine... the price went down to $325 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />.... took it apart..... mostly. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> It's had the head gaskets replaced with Felpro, but so far it looks fine. Crankshaft and bores look very good - very little rust on the block. The big trouble reared up with a head bolt.... the hex socket is stripped in the bolt head. I also stripped the hex socket in both oil gallery plugs. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> It's gotta go to the machine shop anyhow, so I'll let them have the fun of getting those out.

The pistons are definitely different from the 8.9 CR engines. These 10:1 pistons are flat-tops with a small fly cut valve relief. The oil filter adapter is different - the oil pump looks different, but I haven't looked closely. The crank pulley is different. The water pump is different. The timing belt covers are different, but once they're off, things begin to look familiar. As Ed said, the main bearing saddle is the same as the Montero/Raider, so the holes for the oil pickup tube braces are already drilled and tapped.

Be glad our engines aren't sideways - I've never seen such a mess of brackets and other "stuff"..... wouldn't want to be a mechanic on the Diamantes.

My desktop PC is out for repair - I'll post a couple of pics when I get it back.

Frank