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engine swap, or new head gasket?

838 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  golfnlefty, 
S
Have a 99 2500 with 311,000 miles on it. I noticed a somewhat small coolant leak around the back of the head area for some time now. Thought it was the small freeze plug on the back of the head.I looked up there and it was not, it is coming from the drivers side just below the head. It looks like a head gasket to me. I have another 24 valve that I am in the process of rebuilding,( bored out, new pistons, valve job, new rings, bearings, everything), all I need to finish it is a gasket kit, and assemble. My question is, how hard is it to pull the engine out of the truck? Should I remove just take off the head, put a new gasket, head studs, valve job and whatever else, or should I remove it and toss in the rebuilt one? How hard is it to pull? Does the transmission need to be removed as well? All of the Electrical stuff needs to be changed over, how hard is that? What I am trying to ask is if it will all work and about how long it would take? What all would you guys recomend doing while the engine was out also?

Any opinions would be appreciated!

Thanks Tim
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Johnnysspaceship
Swapped mine with the tranny still in. Would not recommend it though. Especially with an auto. These torque converters really have to be set perfect on there.

Do
motor mounts.
Rear main seal.
Clean radiator and intercooler.
Replace gaskets all around.
Have the head decked if its out at all.
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golfnlefty
Engine swap

Tim,

I have a friend who got the technical notes from Chrysler and they say to pull the engine in order to change the head gasket. I would say that if you have an engine you are already working on, get that one finished up and just do the swap. I will say that it might be much easier to pull the trans with the engine. I am pulling my engine without the trans and find it difficult to get all the bell housing bolts out. I am down to one last bolt that I hope my neighbor can help me with. Good Luck with you swap whatever you choose.

Cecil
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J
I would put a new engine in if I knew that it was compatible with the old.

Golf, how do people change clutches by pulling the trans if the bolts aren't accessible? Where exactly is the problem?
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Johnnysspaceship
golfnlefty said:
Tim,

I have a friend who got the technical notes from Chrysler and they say to pull the engine in order to change the head gasket. I would say that if you have an engine you are already working on, get that one finished up and just do the swap. I will say that it might be much easier to pull the trans with the engine. I am pulling my engine without the trans and find it difficult to get all the bell housing bolts out. I am down to one last bolt that I hope my neighbor can help me with. Good Luck with you swap whatever you choose.

Cecil
Click to expand...
If you are comptetent enough to change an engine... Getting all the bell housing bolts is a cake walk.. Extensions n swivels jack.

Not sure who would've said that an engine pull is required to do a head gasket. It's pretty easy with the engine in the truck.
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O
pull the trans mount out and let the trans sag some. put a jack under the front on the oil pan with a block of wood and put a little pressure on it to hold the motor. should be able to get the top bolts fairly easily
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ghostman
People change head gaskets all the time with the engine in. It will be easier than an engine swap.


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MoparProud
Yeah, I don't know why you would pull the engine to change a headgasket, unless you just like doing far more work than you need to.

Now, there is a tangible argument on an engine with 300K+, swapping it for another, especially if it's leaking all over or feeling worn out or whatever. Swapping an engine with the automatic in can be done, I've done it. Not sure how you could do it with a manual, since it has to slide in and out, where an auto just bolts up.
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golfnlefty
Well in my case I have to pull the pan and the front timing cover as well (which includes pulling the front gears and camshaft). I am sure lots of you can probably do all that with the engine in place as well. What is making things more difficult for me as far as the bell housing bolts go is I had a motorcycle accident about five months about and broke my right shoulder up pretty bad. That is why I am wanting the assistance of my neighbor to help me out.
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MoparProud
What are you doing that you need to pull the timing cover and pan? Just replacing gaskets or what?

The timing cover pops off without pulling cam, but sounds like you're also taking off the housing which requires removing everything.
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golfnlefty
Housing

Yes, the entire housing needs to come off. I am not sure if I had a KDP problem or what happened. After finding oil in the cold side of the innercooler I am not sure if I even need to pull the heads, but I have to gaskets already so I might as well look and that way I can see what the cylinder walls and ring ridges look like. Thinking about adding heavier valve springs while I am this far.
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