Will an '83 12A work in a '79?
 

I'm trying to restore a 1979 Limited. However, the engine is giving me nothing but problems. I have an '83 parts car with a motor that run wonderfully. Will the motor from the '83 drop into my '79? I know they have different carbs and alternators, but I didn't know if they were interchangeable. Thanks!

The block is essentially the same. Swap over all your external manifolds/alternator and such and hammer down!

its not a direct swap, but with some mods it will work. mainly the thermo reactor wont bolt up to the later 12a motors due to the egr config.

was it only cali that got the egr's on the 12a? i dont recall there being any EGR's any of my 12A's. i have "federal emissions" versions of each series; S1, S2, and S3, and there is just a blank non machined spot where there EGR's are on the center iron of later motors. i think there is a difference in the relation/covering of the air injection port and intake manifold between the series on the side of the center iron, but if your running a header then it shouldnt matter. overall tho, it should be a pretty strait forward swap.

just use the intake and exhaust from the 83 and away you go, ask me how I know