Engine Swap do's and don'ts???

Next weekend, I'll be swapping out my old motor for a rebuilt I picked up at a local machine shop.Vehicle is a 1994 GMC 4X4 350 with AT, TBI, headers. I haven't done an engine swap in a long time and wanted some feedback from those of you that have experience doing a 350 replacement. I'm mechanically inclined and am looking forward to this project. I'll have about 4 days to get this done in my garage. Too expensive to have a shop do it so I'm diving in.

**What are some of the do's and don'ts? **I have a concern about the A/C compressor. Does this actually need to be discharged or can it be unbolted from the bracket and tied off to the side? Same goes for the power steering pump? Will they be out of the way enough? **I'll be putting in a new water pump as well. I've gotten advice from coworkers that have done this and the recommend that I stick the gaskets on the pump with RTV just prior to installing and not to put any RTV on the block. Comments?

Any feedback on the easiest way to do this, as well as any problems/solutions that you encountered, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Andy

Reply to
AndyW
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These are just personal opinions, mine, many may agree, just as many may disagree.

If at all possible, car wash , and clean engine bay.

a bunch of small paper bags and a marker, for bolts as they are removed, put them in a bag and mark them.

Scribe a line around the hood hinges before removing them, or use a fine point sharpie marker.

Remove the grill.

On the AC, I would have it discharged. Yes the AC compressor can be moved far enough out of the way to do it that way, but you are stressing the hoses and crimps that are over 10 years old, and what if you slip and punch a hole in the condenser? course you could put a sheet of plywood cut the right size to protect the condenser, but removing it makes life a bit easier.

On the water pump, why not put it on before you put the engine in place? In fact the more you put on the engine before it goes in the hole the easy it will be after it is in the hole. And along with the new water pump, get a good quality heavy duty fan clutch. The right one will be about 2.5 inches thick, square shouldered and about 6-8 inches in diameter with a thermostatic coil spring on the front.

Replace the motor mounts.

Thin coat of quality gasket sealer anywhere its needed, but only where its needed. Don't skimp on gaskets. For the manifolds, use a torque wrench. Short handled 1/4 inch ratchet with the extension between the index and center finger and you wont over tighten the valve covers, oil pan or timing chain cover crushing the gaskets and ending up with leaks. If you reuse the harmonic balancer, get a repair sleeve for it so the front seal doesn't leak.

Get some bolts 2-3 inches longer than the bottom bolt on each side of the tranny, cut the heads off, thread them into the block, makes lining up the engine to the tranny a lot easier. If there is enough clearance between the tranny and the fire wall, four, two on each side is even better.

when you rent the engine hoist, rent an adjustable engine sling, again it makes the job a lot easier.

Get new bolts for the flywheel to torque converter, and blue lock tight.

While the engine is out, replace the front pump seal on the tranny.

A polaroid or digi camera is a great tool when you don't do this for a daily living, after two days the memory starts getting fogged, pictures clear the fog. Oh and beer is good, beer is great, but at the end of the day, not during the job.

Engine oil, tranny fluid, power steering fluid, air filter, oil filter, cap, rotor, wires, plugs, fuel filter, brake clean, hand cleaner, rags, cat liter, parts cleaning brush. couple cans of paint, might as well pretty up the engine bay before the new engine goes in. Don't forget collector gaskets for the headers, or new donuts if you meant exhaust manifolds. New serp belt, and tensionor.

Make sure somebody is there with you when your working and that they check on you regularly if your doing this solo, don't want to read no obit. And of course hand in hand with that is if you don't have jack stands, get some, never ever trust a jack, life is too short.

Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

Before beginning work under the hood, be sure to disconnect the battery. Doing this will assure that you don't damage the computer and/or electronic components. You will also avoid being shocked.

Reply to
One-Shot Scot

Great tips thus far!! Thanks. Andy

Reply to
Andy W

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