4cyl to 4cyl swap?

[guehner91lx]

I have a 91 lx hatchback, and the headgasket was blown when I bought it. I exhausted my options of a 5.0 swap and decided if I wanted a 5.0 I will buy one. Anyhow, if am replacing the engine with another 2.3L and was wondering if pulling the old motor and putting in the new one would be easy or not, and any tips I might need. Thanks.

 

[Ponycar]

any reason you don't want to just replace the head gasket??.

 

[KurtPB]

much easy and quite a bit quicker.

 

[guehner91lx]

I was told that with replacing the head gasket and maybe having to resurface the head, it would be cheaper to install a new engine. I picked the new one up for $250 with 100k on it.

 

[Red_LX]

As long as it's the same model engine, it should be cake.

 

[kiddiccarus]

Plug and Play like Microsoft. Seriously. It is like replacing an O2 sensor, take part a out put part b in. I wish the Trubo swap was that easy.

 

[stykthyn]

how much are you looking to spend for a new engine?
you anywhere NW florida? I got a lead on a turbo engine for 150, it needs a new downpipe though

 

[KurtPB]

I was told that with replacing the head gasket and maybe having to resurface the head, it would be cheaper to install a new engine. I picked the new one up for $250 with 100k on it.

whoever told you that is on something. it is much cheaper and easier, best combo, to just replace the headgasket and you shouldnt have to worry about plaining the head unless you let it get hot and it warped or something.

 

[guehner91lx]

See that was the problem, I didnt know how the head was if it got hot or not, I did know that the kid drove the car while it smoked, but didnt want to take the time to pull it apart and find out, So, I just bought a new one. picking it up tommorrow and putting it in within this week.

 

[rd]

With a spare engine handy, it would be quickest to pull the head off the second engine, inspect, do the valves, etc, as needed or if needed, and then swap it on the engine in the car.

However, if you say the engine in the car smoked, it may not be a bad shot to just swap.

You do need to check both engines carefully, as there are some stuff that differs from year to year...

 

[guehner91lx]

should be the same year, but I will check, thanks

 

[4bangen]

I did the swap in my old 89 vert in about 8 hours, would have been about 6hrs had I bought a fuel line quick disconect tool. might I recommend getting one of those!

 

[Red_LX]

Quick disconnect? Hell, it's easier to disconnect the lines down at the frame, where the rubber line attaches to the hardline. One line uses a clip much like the ones on the fuel filter, the other one uses some kind of spring lock clip that you can undo with a screwdriver and/or pliers...can't remember exactly how I did it.

 

[guehner91lx]

were would I get that tool if I decided to get one? Why did it take 2hours to disconnect it?

 

[KurtPB]

o'reily's?

 

[RustBucket]

Ditto what RedLX said. Take em loose at the frame. Much easier to get to and remove/install.

 

[guehner91lx]

This is all new to me, could you maybe give me a bit of an image in my head, so I can locate where you are talking about?

 

[Shinlee]

also autozone! sry, i work there, gotta plug it