Engine swap difficulty?

Johnathon · November 9th, 2010, 11:41 PM

Hello all, been a while since been on these forums but ran into a problem with my 01 mustang's engine.. And its pretty much.. gone. Spun out a bearing and damaged the engine somehow.. Engine wasn't much to me anyways.. 190k+ miles on it with a nasty tick/knock. I'm looking to do an engine swap to one with 67k miles on it.. Is there anything anyone would recommend me knowing before actually doing this.. and maybe a guide to what needs to be done for the swapping? I'm pretty hands on.. So.. yeah..

Any advice is appreciated.

walt1120 · November 9th, 2010, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by Johnathon

Hello all, been a while since been on these forums but ran into a problem with my 01 mustang's engine.. And its pretty much.. gone. Spun out a bearing and damaged the engine somehow.. Engine wasn't much to me anyways.. 190k+ miles on it with a nasty tick/knock. I'm looking to do an engine swap to one with 67k miles on it.. Is there anything anyone would recommend me knowing before actually doing this.. and maybe a guide to what needs to be done for the swapping? I'm pretty hands on.. So.. yeah.. Any advice is appreciated.

well if you have doubt in yourself than you might not want to do it, but if you dont then you'll never learn.

Anyway you should swap in a 4.2L, direct swap on a 01+ 3.8. So if you are set on putting in a new motor get the extra power!

v6kid · November 10th, 2010, 12:26 AM

Have you ever taken the tranny or engine out of a vehicle before? Or will someone that has be helping you?... If you answered no to both of those then I would advise against doing it.

SSteady98 · November 10th, 2010, 03:28 AM

It takes a LONG time to do it the right way. it took me about 2 weeks since i was in high school and had no idea what the hell i was doing. i made damn well sure everything fit back where it was supposed to. this was all on a 1992 gmc sierra.

clidefr0g · November 10th, 2010, 05:26 AM

if your putting the same engine back in it should be quite easy actually as long as you have the right tools.

ONLYaUNCfan · November 10th, 2010, 11:22 AM

Is this engine with 67k miles on it a 3.8l?

If it's a 3.8L you'll have little difficulty getting it back in, but if you're going up say to a 4.2l or higher you might want to check to see if that transmission is gonna hold up before you start putting an engine in there.

And if you're putting a v8 in your 3.8L, you've got a buttload of work to do.

Codeman · November 10th, 2010, 04:25 PM

You won't have to worry about the tranny or anything if you put a 4.2l in. And the 4.2l would bolt right in place.

04mustang232 · November 10th, 2010, 05:20 PM

If you have a engine hoist...i suggest just taking your time and video taping the tear down for a reference when you are putting it back together....you'll be fine as long as you're not a retard. Get a hanes manual just in case.

Mr. Red Pony · November 10th, 2010, 08:31 PM

It should be pretty easy. I was going to do mine myself, but my gramps wanted my to get it swapped in OKC because the salvage yard would deliver the engine for free in OKC.. It is pretty straight forward though. For a first timer it might take a weekend.

Do you have a garage and hoist?

2000stallion · November 10th, 2010, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by ONLYaUNCfan

you might want to check to see if that transmission is gonna hold up before you start putting an engine in there.

stephen · November 10th, 2010, 10:34 PM

I would recommend getting the Ford shop manual from Helm publications. The Ford manuals are very good with step by step instructions and pictures.

At a minimum you will need a floor jack and jack stands and a chain hoist or engine crane (which you can rent). Also of course a place to work, preferably in a garage, and basic hand tools. You will also need something to support the front of the transmission such as a jack.

I'm assuming the engine still turns. This will make it much easier to remove the torque converter nuts.

rafter40 · November 10th, 2010, 11:25 PM

3.8 to 4.2
walt said its a direct swap for 2001 and up. Any reasons why it wouldnt be for a 2000?

ESG-642T · November 11th, 2010, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by rafter40

3.8 to 4.2
walt said its a direct swap for 2001 and up. Any reasons why it wouldnt be for a 2000?

none at all.

Mr. Red Pony · November 11th, 2010, 01:48 PM

Except that the 2000 is external balance and the 01+ is internal balance. But the 4.2 will come with a harmonic balance (more than likely.)

Johnathon · November 13th, 2010, 08:24 PM

My ol pops got a shop I got it sitting in there now with a lift.. Started pulling earlier today. @v6kid, yeah i'm used to doing engine work on 3000gt's. Never a mustang yet. But i'm sure its alot easier.. more room to work with. Thought about doing the v8 conversion but yeah.. this car my everyday one for the moment, ( got another 3000 sitting in garage lol ) so I'm going to grab this 3.8 one I found for 550.. If I can find a 4.2 close around here I might consider that one and just resell the 3.8. xD Also thx on the Hanes manual.. got that first off.

BlueScreaM · November 13th, 2010, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by Johnathon

My ol pops got a shop I got it sitting in there now with a lift.. Started pulling earlier today. @v6kid, yeah i'm used to doing engine work on 3000gt's. Never a mustang yet. But i'm sure its alot easier.. more room to work with. Thought about doing the v8 conversion but yeah.. this car my everyday one for the moment, ( got another 3000 sitting in garage lol ) so I'm going to grab this 3.8 one I found for 550.. If I can find a 4.2 close around here I might consider that one and just resell the 3.8. xD Also thx on the Hanes manual.. got that first off.

Always plan on it being more difficult than it appears to be, thats what I learned.

Mr. Red Pony · November 13th, 2010, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Johnathon

My ol pops got a shop I got it sitting in there now with a lift.. Started pulling earlier today. @v6kid, yeah i'm used to doing engine work on 3000gt's. Never a mustang yet. But i'm sure its alot easier.. more room to work with. Thought about doing the v8 conversion but yeah.. this car my everyday one for the moment, ( got another 3000 sitting in garage lol ) so I'm going to grab this 3.8 one I found for 550.. If I can find a 4.2 close around here I might consider that one and just resell the 3.8. xD Also thx on the Hanes manual.. got that first off.

Are you a student? The nearest good 4.2 is up in OKC btw.

Johnathon · November 16th, 2010, 12:44 AM

I did classes at a place called Votech here.. and @ ahoboscheese haha man I learned that this morning. I went to go pick up the engine and someone beat me to it.. I got tough luck. Spent yesterday pulling it out the car, this morning excited to go get it.. and someone beat me to it

But yeah I searched around some more.. and found a better deal in OKC. 3.8 For 400 I believe he said.. 86k miles on it.. not bad for a temp fix for now.

Mr. Red Pony · November 16th, 2010, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by Johnathon

I did classes at a place called Votech here.. and @ ahoboscheese haha man I learned that this morning. I went to go pick up the engine and someone beat me to it.. I got tough luck. Spent yesterday pulling it out the car, this morning excited to go get it.. and someone beat me to it But yeah I searched around some more.. and found a better deal in OKC. 3.8 For 400 I believe he said.. 86k miles on it.. not bad for a temp fix for now.

I'm in the automotive class at votech.

that is a pain in the ass though. I got my 3.8 in OKC for 800 with 42k on it.

Johnathon · November 16th, 2010, 09:38 AM

Hmm well I just called them again and he told me 395.. so... 42k/800 is basically Im double milage half the price = good deal? lol. On way to city today gonna snatch that.. and damn didnt know you in lawton too. ha thought I was the only one in this town who saw this forums

November 9th, 2010, 11:41 PM	#1
Johnathon Newbie 2001 Mustang Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lawton, Oklahoma Posts: 28 iTrader: 0 reviews	Engine swap difficulty? Hello all, been a while since been on these forums but ran into a problem with my 01 mustang's engine.. And its pretty much.. gone. Spun out a bearing and damaged the engine somehow.. Engine wasn't much to me anyways.. 190k+ miles on it with a nasty tick/knock. I'm looking to do an engine swap to one with 67k miles on it.. Is there anything anyone would recommend me knowing before actually doing this.. and maybe a guide to what needs to be done for the swapping? I'm pretty hands on.. So.. yeah.. Any advice is appreciated.

November 10th, 2010, 12:26 AM	#3
v6kid Hardcore Enthusiast 1999 Mustang v6 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,725 iTrader: 0 reviews	Have you ever taken the tranny or engine out of a vehicle before? Or will someone that has be helping you?... If you answered no to both of those then I would advise against doing it. __________________ I went to school to be a mechanic, so I know what I'm talking about most of the time. mods in the garage, slowly getting peppier. 6ershootout.com summer of 2012... Be There

November 10th, 2010, 03:28 AM	#4
SSteady98 95ish5.0 1995 GT Slow Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Angelo Posts: 490 iTrader: 0 reviews	It takes a LONG time to do it the right way. it took me about 2 weeks since i was in high school and had no idea what the hell i was doing. i made damn well sure everything fit back where it was supposed to. this was all on a 1992 gmc sierra. __________________ 1995 Mustang GT BBK Shorty Headers, H Pipe, CAI, UDP, 255lph Fuel Pump Spec Stage 3 Clutch FR500's all the way around Cobra R Hood Want Gears, Cam, TW Heads, Turbo(Last)

November 10th, 2010, 04:25 PM	#7
Codeman Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Dakota Posts: 2,933 iTrader: 1 reviews	You won't have to worry about the tranny or anything if you put a 4.2l in. And the 4.2l would bolt right in place. __________________ UDP, CAI, True Duals, LTs, 91 Tune from TT, 3.73 gears, Tlok,Windstar upper, GT TB, Ported lower, Comp 218/226 cam, FRPP C Springs, J&M LCA, Tokico Blue shocks and struts, and J&M Full Length Subframe Connectors

November 10th, 2010, 08:31 PM	#9
Mr. Red Pony Resident badass 01 Built V6 (3.9) 13.91 @ 99.1 N/A Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lawton, Oklahomo Posts: 6,789 iTrader: 10 reviews	It should be pretty easy. I was going to do mine myself, but my gramps wanted my to get it swapped in OKC because the salvage yard would deliver the engine for free in OKC.. It is pretty straight forward though. For a first timer it might take a weekend. Do you have a garage and hoist? __________________ 271rwhp N/A V6 The Name is Danny. I'm a GM Technician. Suck it.

November 10th, 2010, 11:22 AM	#6
ONLYaUNCfan Enthusiast The best 2003 Mustang She's fast. Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NC Posts: 599 iTrader: 0 reviews	Is this engine with 67k miles on it a 3.8l? If it's a 3.8L you'll have little difficulty getting it back in, but if you're going up say to a 4.2l or higher you might want to check to see if that transmission is gonna hold up before you start putting an engine in there. And if you're putting a v8 in your 3.8L, you've got a buttload of work to do.

November 10th, 2010, 10:34 PM	#11
stephen Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,262 iTrader: 0 reviews	I would recommend getting the Ford shop manual from Helm publications. The Ford manuals are very good with step by step instructions and pictures. At a minimum you will need a floor jack and jack stands and a chain hoist or engine crane (which you can rent). Also of course a place to work, preferably in a garage, and basic hand tools. You will also need something to support the front of the transmission such as a jack. I'm assuming the engine still turns. This will make it much easier to remove the torque converter nuts.

November 10th, 2010, 11:25 PM	#12
rafter40 Regular 2000 Mustang v6 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 227 iTrader: 0 reviews	3.8 to 4.2 walt said its a direct swap for 2001 and up. Any reasons why it wouldnt be for a 2000?

November 11th, 2010, 01:48 PM	#14
Mr. Red Pony Resident badass 01 Built V6 (3.9) 13.91 @ 99.1 N/A Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lawton, Oklahomo Posts: 6,789 iTrader: 10 reviews	Except that the 2000 is external balance and the 01+ is internal balance. But the 4.2 will come with a harmonic balance (more than likely.) __________________ 271rwhp N/A V6 The Name is Danny. I'm a GM Technician. Suck it.

November 13th, 2010, 08:24 PM	#15
Johnathon Newbie 2001 Mustang Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lawton, Oklahoma Posts: 28 iTrader: 0 reviews	My ol pops got a shop I got it sitting in there now with a lift.. Started pulling earlier today. @v6kid, yeah i'm used to doing engine work on 3000gt's. Never a mustang yet. But i'm sure its alot easier.. more room to work with. Thought about doing the v8 conversion but yeah.. this car my everyday one for the moment, ( got another 3000 sitting in garage lol ) so I'm going to grab this 3.8 one I found for 550.. If I can find a 4.2 close around here I might consider that one and just resell the 3.8. xD Also thx on the Hanes manual.. got that first off.

November 16th, 2010, 12:44 AM	#18
Johnathon Newbie 2001 Mustang Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lawton, Oklahoma Posts: 28 iTrader: 0 reviews	I did classes at a place called Votech here.. and @ ahoboscheese haha man I learned that this morning. I went to go pick up the engine and someone beat me to it.. I got tough luck. Spent yesterday pulling it out the car, this morning excited to go get it.. and someone beat me to it But yeah I searched around some more.. and found a better deal in OKC. 3.8 For 400 I believe he said.. 86k miles on it.. not bad for a temp fix for now.

November 16th, 2010, 09:38 AM	#20
Johnathon Newbie 2001 Mustang Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lawton, Oklahoma Posts: 28 iTrader: 0 reviews	Hmm well I just called them again and he told me 395.. so... 42k/800 is basically Im double milage half the price = good deal? lol. On way to city today gonna snatch that.. and damn didnt know you in lawton too. ha thought I was the only one in this town who saw this forums

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