Replacing my 4.6 V8 engine

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Henrik97

Active Member
Posts
301
Hi all,
The old girl gave up on me last week. Massive coolant consumption, overheating, blowing head gasket, the lot. Rather than fiddling with the old engine, which probably also has a cracked block or loose liner, I'm putting in a replacement with a lot less miles on it.
Now, there seems to be a number of ways to remove and refit the engine. Some recommend removing the engine and gearbox together, others say to leave the gearbox in place. Is there anyone here who's actually done the job who can give me a few pointers on how to go about this task? It won't be my first engine swap, but I've never done a rangie before.
Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Henrik
 
I have done mine three times in the last 6 months the last time with a replacement.
Also did it on my drive so it can be done took me two days including transferring all the bits and taking both engines out plus doing other jobs in the engine bay.
Each time I took engine only out and left the right bank manifold on you have to separate the heatshield but not removing it and it is a lot easier with someone to assist as you have to lift that head bit by bit as the headbolts snag on the manifold. The other side is straight off at the manifold .
When you take the bolts out of the flexplate mark them as on one engine had two long and two short and another two short for me anything that has rotation I like to put back as was . I had loads of help from here when I got stuck first time.
One thing worth doing is soaking all the bolts in a tremoval fluid I had an exhaust manifold bolt shear on the engine I was going to use took me 4 hrs o get it out but it all worked out in the end - need anymore info just ask
 
sandyt said:
I have done mine three times in the last 6 months the last time with a replacement.
Also did it on my drive so it can be done took me two days including transferring all the bits and taking both engines out plus doing other jobs in the engine bay.
Each time I took engine only out and left the right bank manifold on you have to separate the heatshield but not removing it and it is a lot easier with someone to assist as you have to lift that head bit by bit as the headbolts snag on the manifold. The other side is straight off at the manifold .
When you take the bolts out of the flexplate mark them as on one engine had two long and two short and another two short for me anything that has rotation I like to put back as was . I had loads of help from here when I got stuck first time.
One thing worth doing is soaking all the bolts in a tremoval fluid I had an exhaust manifold bolt shear on the engine I was going to use took me 4 hrs o get it out but it all worked out in the end - need anymore info just ask
Click to expand...

Sandy,
Thanks for getting back to me. If I plan to pull the engine without removing the heads, will I have to remove the exhaust manifolds? Also, how did you get to the upper bolts on the bellhousing? It seems they are a bit fiddly.

Cheers,
Henrik
 
If you leave the heads on remove the left one at the head remove the right one at the down pipe otherwise you have to remove the steering as for bell housing bolts the top ones are relatively easy if you remove the engine mountings and lower down there is enough room to get a socket in I used a 3/8ths drive and a ring spanner on two one each side about mid way down. When you remove the engine mountings I took the whole thing out ie brackets as well but found it easier just to take the mount out left starter etc all on.
At the front took only the water rad out and slam panel for bonnet .
 
sandyt said:
If you leave the heads on remove the left one at the head remove the right one at the down pipe otherwise you have to remove the steering as for bell housing bolts the top ones are relatively easy if you remove the engine mountings and lower down there is enough room to get a socket in I used a 3/8ths drive and a ring spanner on two one each side about mid way down. When you remove the engine mountings I took the whole thing out ie brackets as well but found it easier just to take the mount out left starter etc all on.
At the front took only the water rad out and slam panel for bonnet .
Click to expand...

Sandy,
This is great info. Mine being lhd, I suppose the exhaust manifold issue will be reversed. So I can leave the propshafts in and only remove the engine mounts, gearbox and mounts stay put?
Again, thanks a lot for your help!
 
Yes absolutely correct just support the gearbox when you are ready to separate them after removal of the engine I put a piece of 4x2 on the front hockey sticks to support gearbox so I could move the car that was the donor .
 
sandyt said:
When are you doing the swap
Click to expand...

I scored the replacement engine on ebay yesterday. This will have to be removed from the donor and shipped to Norway before I can get started. So I guess it will be at least 2-3 weeks before any serious work can commence. It will then be a question of my own time and access to a bit of workshop space at my place of work. I hope to have it done before end of July.

Thanks,
Henrik
 
sandyt said:
Good for you make sure you post when you start and I will keep in touch in case I can help as you do the work
Click to expand...
Again, thanks a bunch! I will surely be in touch when I get started. I've ordered a new waterpump, viscous fan coupling, filters and plugs for the replacement engine. Anything else I'll be needing? Exhaust gaskets maybe?

Henrik
 
sandyt said:
Good for you make sure you post when you start and I will keep in touch in case I can help as you do the work
Click to expand...
BTW, Sandy, I like your choice of vehicles:) I've always had an Alfa of some description, currently a 75 3.0, and I'm also a huge Jag fan. I only ever had one, an xj12, but I miss it dearly and dream of a newer supercharged model.
 
Hi all,
Old engine is OUT! :)
I did it as described by Sandy, by removing the engine mounts and lowering the engine to gain access to top bellhousing bolts. I even managed to pull it out without removing either of the exhaust manifods, but this may be a lhd-only option. I had to remove the heat shield from the right side manifold to gain access to engine mount, but after that it was fairly easy. A very laboursome job, but not too complicated. Now it's a matter of prepping the replacement engine and then dropping it in. I'll keep you posted on progress.

Henrik
 
Replacement engine now has new head gaskets and bolts, exhaust and starter have been transferred from old engine. I hope to transfer the cable loom today and maybe even hoist the lump back in the engine bay. The old head gaskets had clearly been blowing in two places, so changing them turned out to be a very wise decision!
 
Replacement is in, all bolted up and hooked up, runs as sweet as a nut!:)
Thanks for all help, job done.

Henrik
 
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