Picked up an '89 V6 Raider last week with a pretty much useless engine (by that, I mean that it's beyond saving), so eventually will want to swap something working into it once I finish refurbishing the rest of the vehicle. Anyhow, I've been doing a lot of reading regarding the various 6G7x swaps, since it's pretty tough to find a Gen1 around here with the exact engine mine has. All the information is pretty piecemeal, so just trying to clarify what has what and how the fit is. Specifically:

6G74 - already read the great swap threads on that, so no questions. Definitely an option for me, though Gen 2 SR's aren't all that common around here.

Montero Sport 6G72 - there are a TON of these on my local marketplace, for dirt cheap. I know most of them were 3.0 6G72, the 24v version, right? Anyhow, seems like a decent upgrade for low cost, but wanted to check - since the Monetero Sport isn't the same as a Montero body-wise - is this engine pretty much drop-in in place of my Gen 1 6G72? Is there correct oil pan clearance (and/or will my oil pan bolt up to the block)? I assume it bolts up to the Aisin automatic transmission I have fine. And did any years of the Montero sport have immobilizer or any other "gotcha" issues, or would pretty much any 3.0 Montero Sport work.

Any other thoughts? I'm mostly refurbishing the truck to "stock-ish" setup, nothing crazy. I'm not against a 6G74 swap since that should be well within my ability, but just wanted to see about the Montero Sport engine since those are so cheap and available around here. Thanks in advance!

Your new Raider looks to be in great condition, from only view supplied. If the AZ Crew was still active here, your answer would already be known. Primary differences to my eyes between the Gen 1 and Sport 6G72 include timing cover and distributor-less ignition. Beyond these externals, pretty sure the block is physically similar. However, I'm a 4-cyl guy.

Thanks. Yeah, it's almost completely rust-free (no rocker rust, no frame rust, just one little spot up on the roof near the a-pillar). Seems to have been well-maintained over its life, as interior is complete and in pretty good shape. Engine spun a bearing and the owner pulled it to fix, but while it was out awaiting a rebuild, a hurricane caused flooding (he lived at a beach) and salt water got inside the engine and turned everything to rust, hence my situation.

I'm new here so no idea who the AZ Crew is, but guess I'll bump this up a bit to see if anyone knows. Thank.

Hi,
Welcome to the 89 GEN1 club. Really nice color combo on yours. You might want to try www.car-part.com and see what options are near you. I found my replacement engine with 90k on it and resealed it and dropped it in. Been fantastic since then!

Thanks Chad - yeah, that's always an option, though I don't necessarily mind just picking up a parts vehicle and parting/scrapping it really - hence my interest in the Montero Sport as a possible alternative.