How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
03-23-2011, 09:23 PM
#26
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Thanks for the heads up. That is where I was gonna go. Now im not sure what to do. Anyone know of a great writeup for completely rebuilding a d-series?
03-23-2011, 09:30 PM
#27
Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
An excellent point. 
Anytime i'm putting in a replacement engine I always do this before it goes in. It's also a great time to replace the crank and cam seals, distributor o-ring, rear main seal etc, especially that rear main seal.
Basically installation is reverse of removal, budget lots of time and if at all possible a mechanically inclined friend can be a great asset if you get stuck.
Anytime i'm putting in a replacement engine I always do this before it goes in. It's also a great time to replace the crank and cam seals, distributor o-ring, rear main seal etc, especially that rear main seal.Basically installation is reverse of removal, budget lots of time and if at all possible a mechanically inclined friend can be a great asset if you get stuck.
lots of time
mechanically inclined friends
indoor or protected space to do the swap
paved laneway (gravel only)
cherry picker or jack that can lift >2ft
air tools
03-24-2011, 06:57 AM
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03-24-2011, 08:16 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Hey rugimpy
If you are willing to do the work yourself, I can help guide you in the rebuild and point you in the direction of a couple of machine shops I use locally. If you can take out the transmission on your own already I'm sure you can remove the engine with no problems. I don't know if you remember but I think it was you that sold me some manual window components like a year ago.
If you are willing to do the work yourself, I can help guide you in the rebuild and point you in the direction of a couple of machine shops I use locally. If you can take out the transmission on your own already I'm sure you can remove the engine with no problems. I don't know if you remember but I think it was you that sold me some manual window components like a year ago.
03-24-2011, 09:08 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
I do remember you. I am more than willing to do the work, but I am afraid that I may not have all the technical tools needed to rebuild. I have all the hand tools needed and I can get a cherry picker but I was reading about gauges and feelers and I dont have any of that.
03-24-2011, 09:15 AM
#33
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
I've done my fair share of swaps that way as well.
Using a hoist was much easier but some how not using one was more fulfilling.
03-24-2011, 09:51 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
The C-mics are expensive. I used plastigauge and followed up with a digital caliper to verify the measurements. The machine shop I use can do all of that for you if you want them to. Basically just bring them the motor and they can do the work for you, when it's done you just install the engine and plug everything back in. I actually have a head being worked on right now by them.
Just so you know roughly what it'd cost (if you did the work yourself), I spent $120 in block prep (including an overbore), I believe $60ish for crank polishing, and $25 for the head resurfacing. I did the actual rebuild at home. That was a couple of years ago so the price probably went up a bit. I don't know how much the price difference would be if you had them do the measurements/sizing of the bearings and rings but you can always call for a quote (I can PM you the number if you want). Also, there are other reputable machine shops around SD. You should probably call around and do some price comparisons.
Just so you know roughly what it'd cost (if you did the work yourself), I spent $120 in block prep (including an overbore), I believe $60ish for crank polishing, and $25 for the head resurfacing. I did the actual rebuild at home. That was a couple of years ago so the price probably went up a bit. I don't know how much the price difference would be if you had them do the measurements/sizing of the bearings and rings but you can always call for a quote (I can PM you the number if you want). Also, there are other reputable machine shops around SD. You should probably call around and do some price comparisons.
03-24-2011, 11:06 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
So if I have a local shop do the machine work and measurements/sizing I should be able to get away with less than $600 for a rebuild on my d15b7?
03-24-2011, 11:48 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Depends on where you buy the parts or if you have them get the parts for you. I just got a call from the machine shop and it's going to cost $171ish for my head to be cleaned, 3 angle valve job (16v), replace one valve, and resurface. It looks like if you price things right you might be around $600 or so. On my other motor I spent closer to $1k but that was using all OEM parts/gaskets/seals.
03-24-2011, 12:18 PM
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03-24-2011, 12:41 PM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Not saying there's anything wrong with that. To be honest, I don't know why it seemed so surprising to me haha.
Ya I've noticed that. She's pretty damn good.
Ya I've noticed that. She's pretty damn good.
03-24-2011, 09:11 PM
#41
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Get a hoist, and its basically all unbolting and unplugging... and then pulling it out. And then doing the reverse.
03-25-2011, 12:00 PM
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03-25-2011, 01:04 PM
#43
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
BUST THE CRANK BOLT LOOSE FIRST if you're going to reuse the pulley.
The electrical connectors are like a rubics cube.
The lower back middle mount is a bitch.
The hoses are usually a bitch, replace them (cheap at Honda).
Need a tool to pop the ball joints loose for the axles (autozone).
Get a torque wrench (autozone).
Get a manual with torque values.
Don't crush the weak metal pipes coming from your heater core.
Ten things I forgot....
My shop charged me $1460 (about 1/3 of that was parts) to rebuild everything on my D15B7. The guy carried the longblock (with stand mounting bolted to it) to my truck across the parking lot I couldn't believe it.
Yeah I know your buddie's shop would have built a supercharged B16 for half that, I could have bought a used for $150, I could have gotten a JDM bla blablabla bla bla....
The electrical connectors are like a rubics cube.
The lower back middle mount is a bitch.
The hoses are usually a bitch, replace them (cheap at Honda).
Need a tool to pop the ball joints loose for the axles (autozone).
Get a torque wrench (autozone).
Get a manual with torque values.
Don't crush the weak metal pipes coming from your heater core.
Ten things I forgot....
My shop charged me $1460 (about 1/3 of that was parts) to rebuild everything on my D15B7. The guy carried the longblock (with stand mounting bolted to it) to my truck across the parking lot I couldn't believe it.
Yeah I know your buddie's shop would have built a supercharged B16 for half that, I could have bought a used for $150, I could have gotten a JDM bla blablabla bla bla....
03-25-2011, 09:35 PM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Ok guys, I picked up a used engine today for cheap with significantly less miles than my current engine. I was fortunate enough to be able to test it still in the car as well. I really dont want to open the motor up as in the taking the head off, but what other things should I replace before I put it into my car? I want to get it running top shape before I put it in. Thanks!
03-26-2011, 04:52 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
-Crank and cam seals
-Distributor O-ring
-Timing belt and water pump
-thermostat
-valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals if they look like they're leaking, they're easy to change with the engine in the car so if they look ok just leave them alone
03-26-2011, 06:26 AM
#47
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Pretty sure it's all be mentioned earlier in this thread, but:
-Crank and cam seals
-Distributor O-ring
-Timing belt and water pump
-thermostat
-valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals if they look like they're leaking, they're easy to change with the engine in the car so if they look ok just leave them alone
-Crank and cam seals
-Distributor O-ring
-Timing belt and water pump
-thermostat
-valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals if they look like they're leaking, they're easy to change with the engine in the car so if they look ok just leave them alone
03-26-2011, 06:30 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
I know, I think they were all mentioned at one point or another but I was hoping for a list just as you provided. Is there anything else I may want to change? And I know OEM is always best but from this list, which things shouls always be OEM and which ones can you get away with aftermarket?
03-26-2011, 07:45 AM
#49
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
^ Exactly...you'll feel like a complete *** if you put a cheap waterpump in and then have to do almost as much work as the swap was just to replace it.
Somtimes a flat out swap can be done quicker than anything that involves removing the timing belt.
Somtimes a flat out swap can be done quicker than anything that involves removing the timing belt.
03-26-2011, 09:27 AM
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Re: How hard is it to swap an engine out for the same engine?
Yea, I priced everything expect the timing belt online from honda and it came out to 145 which I dont think is bad. Anything else I should replace while the engine is out and easily accessible?