Thread: Engine swap advice???

Alright well I just lost my engine, and there ain't no bringing it back... Spun rod 4...fml... Well I'm gonna be pullin one from the junk yard, and I've never dropped an engine in. I was hoping u guys new of all the things I need to make this happen. Obviously a good engine, and a puller. But what else?? Like gaskets, ect... And does the radiator need to come out??? Thanks in advance. Really appreciate it.

The swap itself is pretty straight-forward. Remove the oil filter adapter to make things easier. Don't forget about unbolting the torque convertor!

BTW, you'll need an oil filter housing gasket, and I recommend doing LIM gaskets at the same time. Make sure you get an engine with a warranty, too. It's worth it even if it's only a 30 day.

Originally Posted by hitman92499

BTW, you'll need an oil filter housing gasket, and I recommend doing LIM gaskets at the same time. Make sure you get an engine with a warranty, too. It's worth it even if it's only a 30 day.

well, since the lim and uim's are new on my engine, i was gonna just swap those to the other motor along with new gaskets anyway. what about the seals between the engine and tranny?

No gaskets there but you could replace the rear crankshaft seal if you want while you're there.

im trying to be as cost efficient as possible. so im going to do the bare minimum for now. this was kinda an unexpected "dent" in my budget... and i always thought there was some kinda sela between the motor and tranny? what seals it then? lol

There are no seals between the engine and tranny. The block of the engine is bare metal against the bellhousing of the transmission. Theres no fluid flow between the engine and trans

Your probably thinking of the rear crankshaft seal as hitman said or the input shaft seal on the transmission. I'd just leave them be if they're not leaking....IMO ......If the seal is defective or put in wrong then you gotta pull a buncha s*** out again

possibly stupid question, but do any of you know if advance or auto zone rent pullers out??

You talking about an engine hoist (cherry picker) or a puller like for a harmonic balancer? I'm sure they rent a puller for a harmonic balancer. Not sure tho. Just calll them or maybe someone else on here knows....

possibly stupid question, but do any of you know if advance or auto zone rent pullers out??
engine hoist. cause thats gonna kill my engine budget if i gotta buy one out right lol

If you have a garage then you could use this.
Chain Hoist - Low Sale Prices on this 1 Ton Chain Hoist
Put a steel bar across at least 5 of the rafters and then attach the hoist to the steel bar. Ive used one of these pulling an engine out of my buddies talon. It works really nice cuz you dont have to work around a big clunky crane

Originally Posted by indygrandprix

If you have a garage then you could use this.
Chain Hoist - Low Sale Prices on this 1 Ton Chain Hoist
Put a steel bar across at least 5 of the rafters and then attach the hoist to the steel bar. Ive used one of these pulling an engine out of my buddies talon. It works really nice cuz you dont have to work around a big clunky crane

damn, wish i had a garage that could support that lol

What mwinters said is probably what your gonna want to do. Its 4 bolts on the subframe and then disconnect everything from the car and undo the struts and tie rods and a few other things and it will drop down.

Be a little more careful than this tho
GM 3800 Engine Transmission removal (Pontiac Grand Prix) - YouTube

See billboost37's thread in the how to section.

how high would i have to jack it up to make it clear the motor? and does the tranny have to come with it?

ive certainly never heard of this method, but it sounds interesting.