304 engine swap - need a 2nd opinion

[orinoko]

Hey,
Recently picked up a 304 from a VP SS for my VP Berlina (currently a Buick V6).

Im currently cleaning it up and preping it for the swap, and I've noticed it is hell dirty from leaking oil from like everywhere around the manifold and the rockers...

Have a look here for pics:

Picasa Web Albums - 10174286308776413... - 304 V8 engine...

My question to you all is, how bad (condition-wise) is this engine? Apparently it has done 158,000k's so I'd assume it would be a good candidate for a swap like this. It's for a daily driver car (ex-show car for now ), so I'm not looking for anything that'd go to summernats etc...

I am planning to replace various gaskets and sensors etc before it goes in.

[NPreston]

If it was mine I would strip it right down. Seems pretty black looking internally, maybe lack of servicing?

[NEDWOB]

i would have most gaskets you would need if not all, im selling for 100 if you want them, i would replace them all including welsh plugs and spark plug leads while its out and extent the coil wires. you will thank me later when ur next srvice is due

[orinoko]

Hey! Thanks guys for the replies.

Admittedly, I'd love to get it rebuilt while its here on the floor but its not an option right now. However right now I'm going to stick with replacing components in and around the engine.

So far, I have written up a list as follows for replacement:

MAP Sensor
MAT Sensor
Oxy Sensor
Welsh Plugs
Rocker Covers (they are scuffed up, dont *need* to be replaced but might as well)
Rocker Gaskets
Water pump (and gasket...)
Oil pump (and gasket...)
Oil Filter (durrr...)
Starter Motor (current one is probably the original, might as well get a new one in there)
Power Steering pump
Front Belts
Engine Mounts
Trans Mount
K Frame
Ignition module
new sparks
new injectors
new dizzy
new spark coil
new leads
new radiator
new hoses (as many as I can get)
air box etc

There are other items I need to get but they are not engine specific. I've got a VP V8 engine loom, although it appears to be in two pieces? One is the loom for the computer connecting to the various sensors and injectors etc, the other is purely a power loom with fuses. Good thing I have both Ellerys and Gregories manuals.

NEDWOB, what gaskets exactly do you have? I purchased the manifold gaskets today (cork) from repco for $39...

[NEDWOB]

brand is pro torque


theres 2 of these

[orinoko]

PM Sent NEDWOB, btw, awesome car you have there! I've got a VS Statesman dash sitting in my car too, love the look of them.

[thephilth]

There are other items I need to get but they are not engine specific. I've got a VP V8 engine loom, although it appears to be in two pieces? One is the loom for the computer connecting to the various sensors and injectors etc, the other is purely a power loom with fuses. Good thing I have both Ellerys and Gregories manuals.



Hey mate, speaking from experience as I have recently done this, you will only need to use the computer loom with injectors etc, other side will marry up from your 6.
You need a V8 auto,your tailshaft and diff will be fine, aircon is different condenser and pipes will need to be changed.
As you said you need k frame and VPs already have the v8 brakes. 1inch master cylinder and booster probably will be needed as well, not sure on that one as I did it anyway coz I had a donor car with everything anyway.
Your exhaust should marry up if you have std V8 exhaust with joining pipe.
It is a pretty big job but not impossible. I must say a donor car is the way to go.
Good luck with it.

[nasty1]

Expect to spend over $1000 for all your replacement parts that's a big list. Replace coolant temp sensor to

[Darren_L]

if that's a 180,000km engine, then it's been neglected.
If you aren't going to pull it down (which I'd highly suggest while it's out), then at least make sure you clean the sump out and oil pickup while the sump is off. Dirty engines often end up with blocked oil pickups, which will cause you a major headache once the engine is in the car. And while the sump is off you could give the valley a bit of scrub out - that way anything that falls down should drop out the bottom of the engine, rather than going in the sump.

why are you replacing all the sensors ?
there really is no need to unless you know they are stuffed. If it runs a bit rough or rich, then maybe have a look at the coolant temp sensor, but otherwise I don't see the point in replacing them al.

And what is wrong with the distributor ? Reason I ask is, apart from maybe the hall effect sensor, there is basically nothing much in the distributor to go wrong. If the shaft bushes are ok, then don't waste your money on a new one. And besides, I don't think you can even buy the genuine distributor new anymore. Only those pro-comp things off ebay and they are junk.

As said that's an expensive list you have there, (you'll probably drop dead when you see what some parts are worth) so if it doesn't need replacing... save yourself some money

[orinoko]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

I forgot to mention in previous posts, I've got a 'works really well' v8 auto box, along with a tailshaft from the donor car. The engine and box haven't been separated and from what I can tell there are no oil leaks coming from the rear main seal.

I'd love to take the sump off and clean out the engine valleys but I'm not entirely sure how to get a the sump while the engine is sitting on it? Would you guys recommend an engine hoist and work on the engine that way? I'm assuming here if I got an engine stand, I could mount the engine on the stand, but certainly not with the trans bolted onto it at the same time!

Oh and the reason why I was going to replace the various sensors and dizzy is quite simply, I don't know the history on them. For all I know, they are the originals from the factory! haha. The dizzy plug is 'slightly' broken. What I mean by that is there is a black shroud that the loom connects onto, and the dizzy wires are inside this plug, the wires have become separated. I'll take pics if you guys want. I believe it is quite easily fixable however.

Sorry about the noobish questions, just want to get this right...

[orinoko]

Ok so I spent most of today cleaning the manifold. Most of the manifold is now back to the alloy silverish shine instead of the black oil crap.