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="" />