Motor swap newb

[91lxhatch]

Looking to swap my engine out of my 91 LX. 302. I am thinking that it spun a bearing but beyond that it is simply old and wore out. Guy that ahd the car before me did the body work and fixed up the interior but he never got to the motor. I have done a lot of auto work but i never pulled a motor before or installed a new one. It seems intimidating to me.

Are there any pointers you all might have for me? Do you tape off every hose and tube and label it? Do you keep every screw in a bag and label those too? I can see where this would get pretty involved. I want everything to work afterwards like the ac and heater and all that. And I'll be doing it all myself.

[Mike]

It's not that bad man. Just make a game plan and get some magnetic trays for nuts and boltsl. Most of the lines are pretty self explainatory.


Post some pictures of your car.

Justin

[JC316]

Looking to swap my engine out of my 91 LX. 302. I am thinking that it spun a bearing but beyond that it is simply old and wore out. Guy that ahd the car before me did the body work and fixed up the interior but he never got to the motor. I have done a lot of auto work but i never pulled a motor before or installed a new one. It seems intimidating to me.

Are there any pointers you all might have for me? Do you tape off every hose and tube and label it? Do you keep every screw in a bag and label those too? I can see where this would get pretty involved. I want everything to work afterwards like the ac and heater and all that. And I'll be doing it all myself.

Most of the time,an engine only uses three or four types of bolts, so it doesn't matter much if they get mixed up. Usually most of the 10mm bolts are all interchangeable. Same goes for 13mm, 15mm, and 18mm bolts. There isn't much to swapping out a 5.0L. Hardest part is going to be the power steering/AC brackets. You can label the vacuum hoses and water hoses, but most of that stuff will only go to one thing. I never label the electrical connectors, they too will only go to one thing.

[crapstang]

302 isn't too bad.
If you are scared of forgetting stuff: Take pictures, put nuts/bolts in a LABELED box or bag, and don't throw stuff. The last part is the hard part.

[91GriggsGT]

When I did my first swap in high school, I kept all the bolts, say from the bellhousing, or alternator together and put them in ziploc bags with labels. I labeled any hoses or wires so I knew where they went. Made things easier.

Since then, I have lost count of the motor swaps I have done and now the only time I will label something is usually on wiring. I have walked into motor swaps where guys literally just pile shit in a corner, then when it comes time to put everything back in, I can't find shit.

So, since this is a first swap, take your time and label things, put nuts and bolts in bags with labels. This is also helpful if you get pulled off the project for days, weeks, months so you dont have to try and dig things out of memory.
Been there done that. Many time sat there say "Where the fuck did this bolt go now???"

You picked a fairly easy first time swap. Not too much to it. Might look intimidating, but put a plan together, and just take your time.

Good Luck

[91lxhatch]

Thanks. Car is not my primary diver so I can work on it over time. As such, I would also like the learning experience of rebuilding the engine. I do have help with that part though in the form of a very ford knowledgeable family member. So I would just like to ask about any inexpensive upgrades i might can do while I'm rebuilding it. Probly not any really. Inexpensive and car hobby dont go together lol

And also what rebuild kit would you go with that might make it more efficient than it used to be? Maybe one has better rings and stuff like that. I have also heard about floating pin pistons?

[91GriggsGT]

You can do some little, fairly inexpensive upgrades usually in the form of a cam without running into too many issues. You can buy complete rebuilt kits with pistons either on your own, or thru the machine shop that does the machining.

Rings.....I have always gone with a chrome moly top ring, and then the rest are pretty standard. You can do all kinds of things like file fit rings but if you are not looking at thrashing this at the track I wouldnt worry about that.

Talk with a machine shop and price the engine kit, machine work, and what it would cost to put it in long block.

If you have someone helping you, then you can just have the machine work done and assemble everything yourself too. Make sure though that when you take the motor in to be machined, you take your harmonic balancer, flywheel / flex plate and clutch so the motor can be balanced. Do not skip that step.

Other than that, you can also pick up a Haynes manual if you want to learn as well.

[91lxhatch]

Looked around some more today and talked to some more people. Since im yanking the motor soon anyway would it be a good idea to upgrade to a 351 at this time? It seems the motor mounts are the same so it has that going at least. If its not too much more expensive than going 302 i think i could afford it. Then again is it even worth it for 49 cubes

[91GriggsGT]

I think it is going to be more expensive that just rebuilding the 302. You will find mixed opinions. You switch to a 351, now you have to get an intake and accessories. I mean its up to you. If you got time, and want to do it slow, do it. Going to be a personal preference and budget. Not sure how many parts interchange.

[91lxhatch]

They say all the front accesories interchange. Some say even heads but seems like that would be a waste.

[Mike]

Post pictures of the car, newb.

[Snatch Napkin]

You's a hooooooeeeeee!!!

[BMCSean]

I can airbag it for you.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Am I still on ignore?

[racrguy]

I can airbag it for you.

What if we bag the engine, and swap out the car? How wicked fucking awesome would that be!?