Must do's during engine swap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Must do's during engine swap
I'm putting a crate in my 81 starting this weekend or next. I'm also putting in a Dewitts radiator and electric fans, a 200R4 trans and new exhaust. Last year Vansteel did a complete chassis rebuild for me, so everything on the bottom side is like new.
The two items I know I'm going to do "while I have the engine out" are:
1) Clean up the engine bay
2) Troubleshoot and repair vacuum lines for my headlights. They're a bit flaky.
Anything else that should be on my on "while I have the engine out" list?
The two items I know I'm going to do "while I have the engine out" are:
1) Clean up the engine bay
2) Troubleshoot and repair vacuum lines for my headlights. They're a bit flaky.
Anything else that should be on my on "while I have the engine out" list?
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Reading PA
In the middle of an engine swap myself 
I would recommend:
Remove heater box to clean out any leaves / dust / dirt around the heater core.
Replace heater core hoses (unless very recently done)
Seal up any holes in the firewall where wires or vacuum lines go through
Inspect all hard front brake lines for surface rust or any obvious damage
As mentioned check steering box / rag joint for issues.
Inspect steering tie rod joints / add grease where needed on any / all grease fittings
All those jobs are 100 times easier when you can sit in the engine bay on a small chair
I would recommend:
Remove heater box to clean out any leaves / dust / dirt around the heater core.
Replace heater core hoses (unless very recently done)
Seal up any holes in the firewall where wires or vacuum lines go through
Inspect all hard front brake lines for surface rust or any obvious damage
As mentioned check steering box / rag joint for issues.
Inspect steering tie rod joints / add grease where needed on any / all grease fittings
All those jobs are 100 times easier when you can sit in the engine bay on a small chair
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
These are all great suggestions. Steering box was completely rebuild with the chassis rebuild, but I'll inspect everything.
Can the heater core be completely serviced from the engine bay? I'd rather not tear into the dash if I don't have to, but this seems like a good idea to service.
Can the heater core be completely serviced from the engine bay? I'd rather not tear into the dash if I don't have to, but this seems like a good idea to service.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Yep, Slvr77 has some good ones. You've mentioned the entire chassis was rebuilt and I imagine that includes the front suspension. If not, the front suspension is pretty easy to do, while the engine is out and ditto that, for the Power Steering.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
I'm pretty excited to put some real power through the new chassis. After this all it really needs is some interior work.
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