Engine only swap issues? MTX will stay in place...

[Safety Guy]

This weekend I'm installing a newer B6 (out of another '94 323 with under 75K miles!) into AquaMutt. The current engine has head gasket issues, plus some kind of lower end issues and I want to do a complete teardown and rebuild, with some performance mods.

Here's the new engine. Pretty clean and rust free. Look at the heat shield!:



One reason I'm going with the B6 is that it will be a straight swap. All the wiring and other mods are done since she already has a B6. However, this will be the first time I've ever done an engine-only swap, without taking the engine and transaxle out as a unit. This is to simplify and speed things up so that one weekend will do it.

I have an extra pair of hands lined up (crosses fingers!) and should have everything I need in terms of new gaskets, seals, fluids, etc.

My Dad and I removed the current B6 from a PnP car years ago, so I have already removed an engine-only. (I know to look for that last, hidden bolt! Ha ha.)

Are there any problems I might expect swapping the engine alone?

Advice welcome.

Thanks,

Karl

[gorgonheimer]

i find it easier to pull engine and trans and split outside of car. If replacing with same type engine and using some power tools, you should be able to knock out the swap in a day. A rebuild on the other hand should take longer depending on how much work you actually do to the motor.

[bravekozak]

I did the B6 install with the transmission attached. It was a little tricky to snug together. But, I managed. Good luck.

[koRnhead]

Nope, no major issues. Much easier IMO since you arent dealing with front end parts. Just remember the extra 10mm dust plate bolts on the tranny. And you should be golden. motor only is a 6 hr job going slowly with beer breaks. Good luck.

[Gomez]

i find it easier to pull engine and trans and split outside of car.

mee too !!

Pulling the axles only takes a few extra minutes and cleans up the whole process immensely. Plus I am not a fan of prying, hammering, and yanking something that should come apart effortlessly if done correctly. I just don't see the extra hour of time savings worth it. You will end up eating some of that time up when putting it back in compared to putting it in as a whole. But that's just me. lol

[zoom zoom]

Are you swapping the b3 bypass tube and thermo housing so you can use stock b3 coolant hoses?

I dropped the b6 back in my festy last night, went pretty smooth did it by myself. Keep the car on the ground and when the engine is low enough it lines up with the input shaft, rock the car forwardband backward by pushing the tire while lightly pulling the engine toward the tranny. Mine went together like butter never been that easy before lol..

That extra pulley is gonna screw with you on the outside of the crank pulley. You'll probably want to loosen if not temove the tranny mounts from the crossmember if you leave that on. It unbolts if you want to take it off, really easy to do especially on an engine stand.

I cant come saturday but if you really need me to i can come up sunday morning around 6-7-8am and stay till noon. My boss isnt giving me any more days off :/ believe it or not another guy just quit tuesday.

[zoom zoom]

That engine looks pretty fresh! Awesome find! I managed to get the heat shield on my b6 with ALL but one bolt!!!

Your upper TB cover isnt even warped!!!! Nice!!!!'

[Gomez]

My boss isnt giving me any more days off :/ believe it or not another guy just quit tuesday.

EEEK !!! looks like 90 hour work weeks for you. OT BABY!!!

I'd like to come up too sometime Karl. Mini meet at Karls in the near future. lol

[Safety Guy]

Thanks guys!

I think I'll do this the usual way then. I just hate messing with the front end stuff if I don't have to.

Matt, enjoy your own time off on Sunday! I don't think I'll have any trouble. This engine does look nice! The heat shield came off with no trouble at all. All bolts came off like they were just put in. I like this!!

Oh, and that crank pulley is being replaced with the Festiva plain single pulley on Aqua. I think I have one more somewhere. And Prettystiva has one, since she had no A/C.

Karl

[william]

Karl pulling and reinstalling them with the trans still in is very easy I have done it both ways several times and I'll do it with Trans staying in much easier and quicker.
I have the b6d and even then with the slightly larger than stock engine I have no issues I did however trim my dust plate to easier clearance of the passenger cv shaft. Tin snips did the job.
Good luck with witch ever way you choose.

[Safety Guy]

Thanks William!

I've done an update on my build thread. More engine pics there:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?31934-AquaMutt-build-thread/page18&highlight=aquamutt

Thanks again to everyone!

Karl

[zoom zoom]

Lol yea i forgot to mention i remembered to trim the dust plate this time too... Heh, VERY good idea