engine swap help

half-fix · Post by **half-fix** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:34 pm

I'm going to need to do an engine swap out of a gl wagon in a couple of weeks, was wondering if there's anyone on the South side that would like to assist? As I've never done one before

Edit: qld Brisbane, Southside (forest lake)

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:00 am

mate, I am local however I don't think I would be the right help as I am doing my first engine swap right now. I will try to get as many photos as possible and do a nice write up to assist you though

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:28 am

Its pretty basic, nothing to stress about. What you will need:

Jack
engine crank/hoist/2 sturdy mates with a good back each
10/12/14 and 17mm sockets/spanners
a workshop manual is good to have but not overly important, just there as a security blanket

What you need to do:

Remove battery.

Drain coolant and remove radiator and radiator hoses. Disconnect the heater hoses (back of engine on passenger's side). The heater hoses may be corroded and hard to remove.

Remove air filter box then cover the carbie with a cloth to stop things falling into it such as dirt etc.

If equipped with AC, remove mounting bolts for the AC compressor and tie off to the passenger's side of the engine bay out of the way.

Remove PS pump if equipped with powersteering. Tie pump off out of the way.

Disconnect engine wiring (clearish coloured plug, or blue in colour) and any vacuum hoses that lead to something on the body of the vehicle such as the brake booster vacuum hose. Mark all vacuum hoses so that you know where they go when you reinstall the engine.

Remove exhaust and engine mount nuts.

Now you should be ready to remove the 4 mounts to the gearbox - bolt/nut combination up top and stud/nut combination at the bottom of the gearbox bell-housing on both sides.

Lift engine a little to have engine mount studs clear their holes. Using the jack support the gearbox at this height as well.

The separation of the engine and gearbox can be a little difficult to start off. A rubber mallet can help to loosen things up a little. Once things start to move you can gently wiggle and pull the engine forward if pulling alone doesn't work.

Once the engine is free, raise it up and out of the engine bay then secure it on the floor or desired workbench and you're done

For first timer's I reckon this might take about 4 hours or so. Those who can do this in their sleep can knock it out in about half an hour

Best of luck

Regards

Bennie

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:12 am

Once again Bennie is right on the spot,

I am now at the stage where I need the mates with strong backs. that is the only thing holding me back. but step for step that is exactly what I have done. haven't run into an issue yet.

would suggest getting some penetrating oil...pyroil make a good one. It saved me alot of time to give the stubborn bolts a soaking before having a crack

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:58 am

El_Freddo wrote:Its pretty basic, nothing to stress about. What you will need:

Jack
engine crank/hoist/2 sturdy mates with a good back each
10/12/14 and 17mm sockets/spanners
a workshop manual is good to have but not overly important, just there as a security blanket

What you need to do:

Remove battery.

Drain coolant and remove radiator and radiator hoses. Disconnect the heater hoses (back of engine on passenger's side). The heater hoses may be corroded and hard to remove.

Remove air filter box then cover the carbie with a cloth to stop things falling into it such as dirt etc.

If equipped with AC, remove mounting bolts for the AC compressor and tie off to the passenger's side of the engine bay out of the way.

Remove PS pump if equipped with powersteering. Tie pump off out of the way.

Disconnect engine wiring (clearish coloured plug, or blue in colour) and any vacuum hoses that lead to something on the body of the vehicle such as the brake booster vacuum hose. Mark all vacuum hoses so that you know where they go when you reinstall the engine.

Remove exhaust and engine mount nuts.

Now you should be ready to remove the 4 mounts to the gearbox - bolt/nut combination up top and stud/nut combination at the bottom of the gearbox bell-housing on both sides.

Lift engine a little to have engine mount studs clear their holes. Using the jack support the gearbox at this height as well.

The separation of the engine and gearbox can be a little difficult to start off. A rubber mallet can help to loosen things up a little. Once things start to move you can gently wiggle and pull the engine forward if pulling alone doesn't work.

Once the engine is free, raise it up and out of the engine bay then secure it on the floor or desired workbench and you're done

For first timer's I reckon this might take about 4 hours or so. Those who can do this in their sleep can knock it out in about half an hour

Best of luck

Regards

Bennie

Good advice.

And once you are done

'Installation is the reverse of removal procedure'

Gotta love workshop manuals!!

And again, ensure you keep your fluids up...

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:01 pm

I have reminder written on my battery "UNDO CRANK BOLT FIRST" using 22mm socket in half inch drive, 450 or 600mm breaker bar set in the tow hook under LHS chassis railo, disconnect coil so won't start, and tickle the starter motor AFTER THE RAD HAS BEEN REMOVED

half-fix · Post by **half-fix** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:02 pm

Thanks for that el freddo will definitely make use of it,

backyard brumby if you'd like a hand during the day some time I'm more than happy to.

Steptoe I'm not a fan of that method, bad memories from my now long deceased r31 skyline, but thanks for the tip all the same

Backyard_Brumby · Post by **Backyard_Brumby** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:29 pm

Mate cheers for that.. should be right as I have my old man to lend a hand but when your doing yours i would be more than happy to pop around and lend a hand. and if there is anything you need either tools or parts shoot me a pm and if i can help I would be more than willing. Just over in westlake so not far at all

half-fix · Post by **half-fix** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:55 pm

Will do cheers

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:30 pm

No probs guys - I've done enough to remember that much from the top of my head! I had to remove stuff that wasn't relevant as it was including the gearbox when removing the engine

Take plenty of pics along the way - for old time's sake/sharing here/looking back on later after you've cooked your snags on the bbq or all those silly things you do along the way. An example would be the al-foil wrapped pies in the pot belly my mate and I did yesterday - we looked at the pic of those pies in the pot belly before they were cooked and both pissed ourselves laughing. Good times! Hope you have some too

Cheers

Bennie