engine swap

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:55 pm

so I'm about to take on the project of swapping the engine in the Paseo. I have an idea of what to do in respect to taking my time and labeling everything. Any pearls of wisdom out there for do's and don'ts before I get rolling on my latest adventure?

Johnathan Eshleman · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:59 pm

When I did the rebuild on the p-car I took digital pictures of everything, connections, wiring harness layouts, etc... When I forgot how something fit back together I could always refer back to the pictures..

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Get a big box of 1qt ziploc freezer bags that have the white strip on them that you can write on. Make sure that you put all removed bolts/nuts/specialty fasteners in there as you go. Bonus points if you can associate them with a removal step in a manual.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:34 am

Wes Eargle wrote:

Get a big box of 1qt ziploc freezer bags that have the white strip on them that you can write on. Make sure that you put all removed bolts/nuts/specialty fasteners in there as you go. Bonus points if you can associate them with a removal step in a manual.

Ziplock bags are the only way to roll

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Find some space to set up a couple long tables end-to-end. Put down pieces of paper or cardboard along the table and keep some sharpies handy. Place the removed stuff and labelled bags on the tables in-order of removal. Write notes on the paper under the part to help with reinstallation.

Last motor swap I hardly used any bags with this method, and I didn't bother taking pictures. I think I needed like 16' of table space to keep everything sequential.

One lesson I learned: Don't use crappy fold-up tray tables to store heavy things like flywheels

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:30 am

Ditto on the photos, ziplock bags and sharpie. I have done my entire car this way.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:29 am

Richard Casto wrote:

Ditto on the photos, ziplock bags and sharpie. I have done my entire car this way.

I did the ziplock bags trick too when I grenaded the Celica engine. It made the rebuild process pretty damn simple honestly, even without pictures. - AB

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:42 am

Tag every fluid line, electrical line and ground you disconnect. I use masking tape and put a tag on the line and mark where it connects.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:16 pm

Put the nuts back on the bolt it goes on so it is easy to figure it out later. I don't know how many times I have taken apart an assy and then had to go back and figure out which bolt goes with which nut when they are close in size and thread, or one is the [almost] metric equivilent of the SAE

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

What sort of preventative maintenance are you going to do while you're in there? Plugs, wires, radiator/heater hoses?

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:51 pm

Wes Eargle wrote:

What sort of preventative maintenance are you going to do while you're in there? Plugs, wires, radiator/heater hoses?

Water pump/Timing belt!!!

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:10 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

Wes Eargle wrote:

What sort of preventative maintenance are you going to do while you're in there? Plugs, wires, radiator/heater hoses?

Water pump/Timing belt!!!

Absolutely!! I figure while it's out, might as well replace stuff since it's easy to get to.

Thanks for all the feed back! I don't have tables, but I can lay it down on the floor. I've already told the wife I'm kicking her out of the garage for a few weeks while I make the swap. Baggies and sharpie's are being bought tonight!!

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:00 pm

I swapped a 1996 LT1 into my 70 Camaro.
Best resources...

When you get to this point in the swap...you've gone to far. :shock:

[Not my engine BTW]

Photo source:
http://www.phoenixtuning.com/toyota/swa ... ercel.html

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:09 pm

Well, the first milestone is complete. I have removed the wiring harness from the engine. Lots of blue painters tape w/ notes on the end of every connection. Also taking copious amounts of pictures along with notes in the order of how stuff is removed. Hope to have the engine swapped by this weekend. Next order of business is to remove the front wheels, brakes and axels. The fun never ends!

Ryan Holton wrote:

Wes Eargle wrote:

What sort of preventative maintenance are you going to do while you're in there? Plugs, wires, radiator/heater hoses?

Water pump/Timing belt!!!

The car is going to be sold as soon as it's back on the road, so minimal maintenance here. I am doing the timing belt, water pump and hoses, but that's about it. Old plugs, wires and distributor go back in.

Ash Nelson · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:49 pm

Go ahead and backup those images to dvd right now.

Dang man, at least spring for some new plugs :lol:

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