| Engine Replacement, Part 5 -- Engine Stand and the New Engine |
From "Weekend Mechanic"
episode WKM-206 |
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In this episode, Weekend Mechanic Bruce Bonebrake continues work on one of the biggest automotive procedures an amateur mechanic can undertake -- replacing an engine. This episode comprises the second half of this two-weekend project, and ends with the installation of the new engine in the engine compartment. Whether it's through negligence (such as not changing the oil), a worn out gasket or just age, automotive engines sometimes fail. In some cases, the best approach is to simply replace the old, damaged engine with a new power plant. The problem: The engine on this older vehicle is completely nonfunctional. It has not run in quite some time, and is seized or "locked up." At the conclusion of the previous episode, the old engine was removed from the vehicle using a hoist. DIY Difficulty Rating for Repair: This job is sizable and quite involved. We gave it a difficulty rating of 5 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. Part of the high ranking is that, in a job this big, there is a degree of uncertainty in terms of the complexity of the problems that we may encounter. We allotted two full weekends to complete this project. It took a total of about 24 hours to complete this job. Important: Included below are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular vehicle, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There are also variations according to the type and brand of replacement engine and other replacement parts that you select. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs, and read and follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions that come with your new engine or replacement parts. Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with power tools and when working beneath a vehicle. Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, always disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin work on any electrical or mechanical components. In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools, some of the specialty tools that will be needed for this project include engine hoist, engine stand and a transmission jack. If you don't own these tools, you can rent them from most rental centers. An air-ratchet will also help speed up the repairs. The Engine Stand The New Engine - With the old engine secured on the stand, we turn our attention to our replacement engine, inspecting it in the shipping container (figure F).
- In our case, we opted for purchasing a remanufactured long-block engine. This option includes a remanufactured block and cylinder head, and cost around $1,500. Other options include purchasing a used engine (around $700), a new engine (around $2,000) or a remanufactured short-block to install on the old cylinder head (around $800).
In the segment that follows, engine disassembly on the old engine continues to salvage reusable parts such as the oil pan, valve-cover, etc. The new engine came with replacement gaskets for all of the parts installations.
RESOURCES :
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books
How Cars Work
Author: Tom Newton
ISBN: 0966862309
Publisher: Black Apple Press
Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896
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