i havent sold my truck yet, so im thinking of picking up a used engine, and doing a swap from that

It will be very low budget, and hopefully painless

i just want to know whats involved, and how many hours of work it would be

thanks

the most painless way to do it unless it's the same year/application as your engine, is to pull the intake/exhaust manifold off your engine and bolt them to the new one with all the stuff that's attached. the long blocks(everything from the head to the oilpan) are exactly the same, it's just the sensors and plugs that changed over the years.

When i threw a rod last summer, I bought a long block, and with a buddy, we had it done in 3 long days. Fortunatly, my pal had all the tools, and stuff needed to do it, and he's a mechanic by trade, so we probably did it faster than some.

Not really complicated, except the wiring and vacum lines. If your carefull when you take it appart, and label everything, it should go back together pretty quick. If you have any trouble, there is a ton of experience and knowlege here.

Good luck
Erik <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

As mentioned, not really that difficult if you take the time to label everything and keep bolts and nuts in labeled boxes ready to reassemble. I believe if you have the time you can complete it one weekend if you dive into and have a decent amount of mechanical ability.

If you are just unbolting accessories and pulling the head and block to replace, it shouldn't be too bad.

Thanks,
James

ok so if i have an 88, i would need a donor 88 for the wiring to work? or are the main things the same? (i know i have a computer from an 87 in mine now, does that change anything?)


i would definitly keep as much as possible on the engine when pulling it

I do have basic mechanical abilities- did my own HG, Timing chain, etc

Looks like if i dont sell the truck soon, i gotta start looking for a cheap rustbucket with a good engine (easy to find)

If you buy a longblock, it's already stripped to the head/block/frontend. Jump your ENTIRE engine out, THEN strip it down to put on the other donor. Consider doing a leakdown test to your donor engine if you know nothing about it. Oil pan must be installed, I believe. This would save you some headache BEFORE you start the swapover.

OR-- if you score an entire engine with all the goodies, you can strip it down and put your own stuff on, or risk doing a stuffer. Better to do the former, as you know the truck was already running.

You can then check your extra parts out to keep as spares, or to sell to us!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Nuther thought; get your injectors cleaned while you have things out, and open up the injector harness and replace the butt connectors with a soldered connector, so you're not going back in there. Also change the fuel filter while it's on the stand, that kind of thing.

Get your flywheel turned, REGARDLESS. Open up the starter quick and check the condition of the contacts; replace as needed. Same goes for the alternator brushes. Make sure TPS is set up mechanically. If messing with the timing chain, make sure the engine is at TDC, so you don't have any surprises! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> Prime the oil pump with vasoline.

TAKE PICTURES before you tear things apart; I label stuff and put it in ziplocs and a box. If tearing off the TC cover, the bolts get punched into a piece of cardboard in the pattern they were removed in; there's 3 different lengths. Same goes for power steering brackets.

Good prep work on your part will make things go smoothly. I keep a piece of paper and a pencil in the wiper arm, and jot stuff down that needs fixed/bought/rented, e.g. (engine stand, hoist, torque wrench, air and related tools).

Sit down with a manual, one column is stuff you need to buy (new hoses, coolant, etc) Being organized from the outset will be the best time management tool you have. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

If *I* can do it, you sure as heck can!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />