Engine Swap This Weekend

[Jeronimojc]

If things go well, I’ll be doing the Aluminator SB engine swap this weekend (build thread HERE (http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=94681))

Can you guys think of things to watch out for, especially when it comes to dealing with fluids? I’ve done an engine removal before, but the fluids were pretty much drained already (after a wreck).I am not entirely sure which fluids will drain out and if I can plug hoses so they don’t drain and I am not sure which fluids will require purging or what not.


Power steering – Mercon V? I haven’t bought any and really haven’t thought about how I’ll deal with it.
Transmission fluid – Haven’t bought any.
Brake fluid – Haven’t bought any
Motor oil – I’ll use Lucas Break-In Oil for a few hundred miles then change.
Engine Coolant – I am switching to green color just for the look.I know how to burp the system.
AC – I am planning on stopping by an A/C shop to have the A/C drained there before I do the engine swap.
Thanks!

[Zack]

Why would you have the AC drained? its off with 3 bolts and just site there.
Same with the PS pump

[Jeronimojc]

I already have another AC unit and PS pump installed on the built engine. Both of these have the 8-rib pulleys and have less miles on them.


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[fastblackmerc]

If things go well, I’ll be doing the Aluminator SB engine swap this weekend (build thread HERE (http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=94681))

Can you guys think of things to watch out for, especially when it comes to dealing with fluids? I’ve done an engine removal before, but the fluids were pretty much drained already (after a wreck).I am not entirely sure which fluids will drain out and if I can plug hoses so they don’t drain and I am not sure which fluids will require purging or what not.


Power steering – Mercon V? I haven’t bought any and really haven’t thought about how I’ll deal with it.
Transmission fluid – Haven’t bought any.
Brake fluid – Haven’t bought any
Motor oil – I’ll use Lucas Break-In Oil for a few hundred miles then change.
Engine Coolant – I am switching to green color just for the look.I know how to burp the system.
AC – I am planning on stopping by an A/C shop to have the A/C drained there before I do the engine swap.
Thanks!

P/S fluid is plain Mercron not Mercron V
Tranny fluid is Mercron V
Brake fluid is DOT 3 or 4 and is not needed unless you open the system and drain some out or your going to flush the system.
Engine oil is whatever your builder recommends.

[Zack]

I already have another AC unit and PS pump installed on the built engine. Both of these have the 8-rib pulleys and have less miles on them.


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The pump needs to be off the engine to install the High Pressure Hose.....or it will be extremely difficult.


P/S fluid is plain Mercron not Mercron V
Tranny fluid is Mercron V
Brake fluid is DOT 3 or 4 and is not needed unless you open the system and drain some out or your going to flush the system.
Engine oil is whatever your builder recommends.

Mercon V is better for the PS system I use it in everything.

[Jeronimojc]

Thank you gents!


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[RF Overlord]

Don't bother with Lucas anything unless your builder specifically requires it for warranty.

Mercon V for the P/S and transmission. Any brand, just not Valvoline.

[Zack]

Engine break-in and break in oil are just plain hogwash.
Start, drive normally, go WOT, ENJOY.
Change the oil at 100 miles, done.

[Marauderjack]

Engine break-in and break in oil are just plain hogwash.
Start, drive normally, go WOT, ENJOY.
Change the oil at 100 miles, done.

^^^+10^^^ :beer:

[Jeronimojc]

I am in the middle of the engine swap. Everything is unbolted/disconnected, ready to lift the old engine.

As I unbolted the transmission I started to wonder how in the world am I going to get the bolts to align during the install.

Can you guys give some tips on this?

BTW, I bolted a pair of mounts to the new block. The mounts have a single pointy bolt that connects to the chassis. I figured this is the easiest way to get the mounts to align. What do you guys think?


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[justbob]

There is alignment tabs between the trans and block.

As for the engine mounts, definitely bolt them up and drop it in. No sense in fighting them after the fact.


Builder Of Badassery

[Jeronimojc]

I had forgotten about that. I'll concentrate on aligning those. Thanks.


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[Jeronimojc]

So far so good, though it is taking longer than I expected.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/01/a91c4735a17f596e0ebd9236948b33 45.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/01/62a7cee58b2b89baf6582f54a47755 35.jpg


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[Zack]

I always set the engine mounts on the cradle then set the engine down on them.
Its really difficult to drop the engine in with mounts on and trans installed.
Just doesn't jive from an alignment standpoint.

[Jeronimojc]

Thanks guys! On to something else.

I have a concern. I mounted the engine and aligned it with the transmission. I was turning the crank to bolt the torque converter to the flex plate. It took a lot more force than I expected, even before I installed the first bolt. Can you guys think of things to check for? I feel the crank used to turn a lot easier after I assembled the engine. Thoughts?


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[2mercs]

Take the belt off?

[Jeronimojc]

The belt is off.

Maybe I am just over reacting. I am cranking from the bottom of the car. So I don't have as good of a position as I used to have.

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[Zack]

Are the plugs in?

If the converter slid forward, that could bind on the crank. Been there done that

[2mercs]

^^ what he said. Pull the plugs if you haven't already. Could just be getting different leverage on it as well.

[Jeronimojc]

The plugs are in. I don't understand. Please explain.

Is it air flow that was fighting?

BTW, I finished that part. Onto A/C, PS, wiring, etc.

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[2mercs]

Let's say compression is 10:1 compressing that by hand standing up is a heck of a lot easier than doing it laying on your back under the car.

[Jeronimojc]

That makes sense. Once the spark plugs are in I have to overcome compression. I am glad it is that simple. Thanks!


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[Jeronimojc]

I found out the hard way the '03 engine wire harness is slightly different than the '04 harness. The issue is at one of the power steering lines. Now I have to swap harnesses. Bummer.


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[Zack]

I found out the hard way the '03 engine wire harness is slightly different than the '04 harness. The issue is at one of the power steering lines. Now I have to swap harnesses. Bummer.


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What are you talking about?
The only difference is an additional knock sensor.

If in fact I'm mistaken, you would only swap out the connector, not the harness. Jeez man!

[Zack]

Are you sure you didn't swap the ps sensor connector with the crank position or ac connector?

The ps sensor and ac connector are very similar.

[Jeronimojc]

I'll take another look. Thanks Zack.


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[Jeronimojc]

No luck. On the right you can see the plug from the '03 engine harness. On the left you can see the '04 connection on the ps line. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/02/a0d9bcb77bbf34f65a4c8ea89344e2 39.jpg


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[Jeronimojc]

Also, the '03 harness has 3 wires. The '04 harness has 2 wires. Why would this be?


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[justbob]

I replaced someone's rack awhile back along with new lines and I do remember there being a difference in that sensor. I just reused the old sensor. Perhaps it would be easiest to just order a sensor for that harness?




Builder Of Badassery

[Jeronimojc]

Good to know. I'll just swap harnesses. I am already in the middle of it. Thanks!

Any idea as to why there is a different number of wires?


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[cer0413]

Good to know. I'll just swap harnesses. I am already in the middle of it. Thanks!

Any idea as to why there is a different number of wires?


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Was just about to suggest that.

[justbob]

Was just about to suggest that.


But you didn't. :P :)


Builder Of Badassery

[cer0413]

[QUOTE=Zack

You would only swap out the connector, not the harness. [/QUOTE]

[emoji651] [emoji651]

[cer0413]

But you didn't. [emoji14] :)


Builder Of Badassery
Damn you taptalk......

[Jeronimojc]

Guys, I could use a little more help if you have a minute.

The engine I removed had this device attached to the oil pump. The bottom of this device had a ground stud and nut that attached to the wiring harness. I say had, bc I broke it.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/02/2360d2510aad892574767b25ba8ee1 c6.jpg


The engine I am installed didn't have this device. Instead it had a clip for the wiring harness to attach to it.

In the picture below you can see the electrical clip on the left and the ground wire connector coming from the wiring harness on the right.

Is it okay to run the car without making this connection?

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/02/7cc2329e44c3d2eb53ed0a40b85a9b 19.jpg


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[BigM460]

Pretty sure that is the oil pressure sending unit/sensor. Not positive as I haven't messed with it on the Marauder, but looks like it should be if it isn't! :D Your oil pressure gauge won't work until you get one installed and it hooked up.

[cer0413]

That is correct and you can run the car.

[Zack]

If you swap harnesses you are a fool. Sorry to make it blunt.
Get the appropriate pigtail or swap sensors.

The ring you pictured by the oil filter is for an aftermarket oil pressure sender. Leave it because you will most likely run one anyway. The engine can run without it hooked up

[Jeronimojc]

Thank you very much! Another question:
The section of exhaust pipe that has the cats on the passenger side has two bungs. One that connects connects to the engine wiring harness. The exhaust on the drivers side only has one bung and as far as I can tell it does not connect to the wiring harness. However, I have this wire green wire connector on the drivers side that looks very similar to the one on the passenger side and I can't remember what connects to this. Is it possible nothing connects to it?

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/02/41b758ed14f91bcca01cf9352fe1d9 1e.jpg


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[BigM460]

Looks like the O2 plug.

[BigM460]

Both O2 sensors are in the pipe on passenger side. 1 in manifold and one in pipe on drivers.

If I remember correctly fronts are green, rears are blue.

[justbob]

There is another o2 bung on the manifold instead of the pipe. Both sides have two. Two fronts from the engine harness, both rears from the trans harness. Yes, that one is for the o2 on the manifold.


Builder Of Badassery

[Jeronimojc]

You guys are all awesome. I couldn't pull this off without you.

Sure enough. I had removed it from the manifold for some reason.


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[Jeronimojc]

The car started!!!

My knock sensor is not connected. Again, there is a difference in the connector between the '03s and '04s. I am not sure how I'll deal with this. I hate to have to remove the intake to swap knock sensor pigtails.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/03/d4c0615b951f2d67d8e2de132de16b e6.jpg


My hope was to drive the car to work tomorrow, but I haven't burped the cooling system and I may have added too much transmission fluid. So I'll catch a ride to work tomorrow.

I am really glad the car runs. I was starting to get stressed out. Thanks again guys.


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[BigM460]

Congrats that it's in and runs! :banana:

Very cool.

[cer0413]

The car started!!!

My knock sensor is not connected. Again, there is a difference in the connector between the '03s and '04s. I am not sure how I'll deal with this. I hate to have to remove the intake to swap knock sensor pigtails.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/03/d4c0615b951f2d67d8e2de132de16b e6.jpg


My hope was to drive the car to work tomorrow, but I haven't burped the cooling system and I may have added too much transmission fluid. So I'll catch a ride to work tomorrow.

I am really glad the car runs. I was starting to get stressed out. Thanks again guys.


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superb my God fearing bruda.

[Zack]

Looks like the O2 plug.

Correct. Green are upstream, blue are downstream.

[Jeronimojc]

Mahalo ya'll! I got up early this morning burped the engine coolant and confirmed transmission level is ok. I drove the car to work. Yeah!!!

As I drove I felt certain differences that I hope are normal after installing a larger displacement engine, 98 cobra cams, deleting rear cats, installing a 3000 rpm stall converter, and I believe a slightly heavier flex plate (from a 5.4L truck).

Also, although the car started right away, I feel the starter is working too hard to turn the crank. I'll have to research this.

What a three day weekend. I don't think I'll do this ever again. I am sore in many places. It reminds me I need to start working out and stretch more.



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[cer0413]

Mahalo ya'll! I got up early this morning burped the engine coolant and confirmed transmission level is ok. I drove the car to work. Yeah!!!

As I drove I felt certain differences that I hope are normal after installing a larger displacement engine, 98 cobra cams, deleting rear cats, installing a 3000 rpm stall converter, and I believe a slightly heavier flex plate (from a 5.4L truck).

Also, although the car started right away, I feel the starter is working too hard to turn the crank. I'll have to research this.

What a three day weekend. I don't think I'll do this ever again. I am sore in many places. It reminds me I need to start working out and stretch more.



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Don't give up yet. You still have a procharger install to go..........[emoji113]

[BigM460]

What a three day weekend. I don't think I'll do this ever again. I am sore in many places. It reminds me I need to start working out and stretch more.



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I was wondering how wiped out you were?:D

This stuff gets WAY harder on me the older I get! Hurts so much, but mentally feels so good! :woohoo:

[Jeronimojc]

I was wondering how wiped out you were?:D

This stuff gets WAY harder on me the older I get! Hurts so much, but mentally feels so good! :woohoo:

Yeah, it was rough and it also put some strain on family life, especially since we have a new born baby. :violin: It was fun though, if you are nuts enough to like this stuff.


Don't give up yet. You still have a procharger install to go..........[emoji113]

About that, do you want to buy my Procharger?

But seriously, it probably won't happen as quickly as I had hoped. Don't want to be banned from the garage.

[cer0413]

Yeah, it was rough and it also put some strain on family life, especially since we have a new born baby. :violin: It was fun though, if you are nuts enough to like this stuff.



About that, do you want to buy my Procharger?

But seriously, it probably won't happen as quickly as I had hoped. Don't want to be banned from the garage.
Lolololololololol I have enough parts laying around.

[Zack]

Since your pcm only reads one sensor, just buy the appropriate pigtail, use 2 of the 4 wires and wire it up.

easy peezy

[Jeronimojc]

Do '04 MMs have two sensors?


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[Zack]

Do '04 MMs have two sensors?


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Yes sir. That's why the round connector pictured has 4 pins, vs the 03 that has 2.

[SID210SA]

Guys, I could use a little more help if you have a minute.

The engine I removed had this device attached to the oil pump. The bottom of this device had a ground stud and nut that attached to the wiring harness. I say had, bc I broke it.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/02/2360d2510aad892574767b25ba8ee1 c6.jpg


The engine I am installed didn't have this device. Instead it had a clip for the wiring harness to attach to it.

In the picture below you can see the electrical clip on the left and the ground wire connector coming from the wiring harness on the right.

Is it okay to run the car without making this connection?

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/02/7cc2329e44c3d2eb53ed0a40b85a9b 19.jpg


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Hey all, long time no see!!

Sorry to chime in so late (about 4 months) but yes, that is from the aftermarket "real" oil pressure guage and matching volt meter i had installed

How is she coming along?

Mike