How difficult is an engine swap?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
How difficult is an engine swap?
I'm swapping the tired L-48 out of my '80 for the GM LM1 Engine.
How difficult is it for a first timer?
What type of equipment do I need?
Can I do it by myself?
Do I need a lift?
TIA, Les
How difficult is it for a first timer?
What type of equipment do I need?
Can I do it by myself?
Do I need a lift?
TIA, Les
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,615
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From: Lake Simcoe..... Back in Black baby!!!
Toronto Events Coordinator
I would'nt recommend it for a first timer with limited tools/equipment. Get some help via friends who have done it and are commited to you throughout the process.
What are going to do with the old engine?
What are going to do with the old engine?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
I just installed a 350 in my 74. I bought a lift for $175. and the install took about 40 minutes. I had one other person help me and I can tell you for me it would have been very frustrating to do it by myself but not impossible. Once I got all the bolts installed (mounts and transmission) I went back and put locktite on them one by one and tightened them in. my two words of wisdom would be one to get help simply to line things up while you put the bolts in. and, if its an automatic, make sure you get the torque converter installed all the way to the back almost touching the front pump on the trans. it wasn’t hard at all and aside from the lift, can be done with a couple of sockets and wrenches.
Have fun with it.
Have fun with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
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From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
When I got my 74 a friend and I pulled the engine out and put my new one back in about 4 hours, he spent another 4 finishing and starting it to break in the cam. the car was on my trailer which gave us room under and wasn't too high to lift the engine out.
Steve
Steve
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
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From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by 1Bad69
what are the specs on this one? i thought you were going for some serious power?
265 is a lot better than the 190 it's not even pushing now and you can't beat the $2195 Canadian price tag.
I gave up on crazy HP dreams. I realized that I don't drive aggressively anyway, so why spend $10,000 on a ZZ5 and $6,000 on a six speed tranny?? All I really need is about 350-400hp and my rebuilt TH350 and rear diff. Car is done for me!!
I must be calming down in my old age!!!
Les
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Had a helper when pulling the engine and installed the new engine and transmission myself.. Not really a difficult job.. Can be done alone with the right equipment.. Cherry Picker and tons of other standard tools are needed..
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by 427V8
How close is close?
It's a big job, but doable...
It's a big job, but doable...
It also depends a lot on how many accessories somebody is running... Except the standard items, I had no accessories on my engine.. so it went pretty quick.. Took 3.5 hours to pull engine and transmission.. Installing took a little longer than that..
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,728
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From: Maple
i have to ask...why wait for the warranty to expire on the new engine when you already have a 350 in it? take the cash you spent on the crate and dump it into the one you have now?
or are you thinking about keeping it original? the motor i mean?
or are you thinking about keeping it original? the motor i mean?
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
An extra couple of pairs of hands would be helpful too. Especially lining up to the tranny.
Buying a hoist is really more convenient than renting it. I would have had to rent a hoist 4-5 times when I did mine. At $35-40 a pop and no telling if the hoist will be at the shop when you need it.
Buying a hoist is really more convenient than renting it. I would have had to rent a hoist 4-5 times when I did mine. At $35-40 a pop and no telling if the hoist will be at the shop when you need it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
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From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by 1Bad69
i have to ask...why wait for the warranty to expire on the new engine when you already have a 350 in it? take the cash you spent on the crate and dump it into the one you have now?
or are you thinking about keeping it original? the motor i mean?
or are you thinking about keeping it original? the motor i mean?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,433
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I put that same motor in my '75 last summer & have over 500mi on it now-would've put much more on it, but the weather started turning bad and didn't want to take the car out. Had it out a few times during the winter when the roads were nice, dry & clear of salt.
That motor runs super smooth in my car
Spent about 4hrs taking the old one out and a couple hours putting the new one in. Did it with a lift all by my lonesome. Not hard at all. I put the motor/tranny in as a unit, but I also had my radiator & coresupport out at the time, so I had plenty of room.
That motor runs super smooth in my car
Spent about 4hrs taking the old one out and a couple hours putting the new one in. Did it with a lift all by my lonesome. Not hard at all. I put the motor/tranny in as a unit, but I also had my radiator & coresupport out at the time, so I had plenty of room.
