Imported engine swap 5S-FE Options

[gts4]

Found out my water pump and head gasket are bad. I was quoted less to buy an engine than to take my chances on the repairs, $700 + $300 labour. I'm going to replace the engine with an imported one at (hopefully) around 70k. Any tips on ensuring the longevity of this one? I put on 50k per year.

Thanks!










This post has been edited by gts4: Jun 26, 2012 - 4:06 PM

[Galcobar]

Coolant reservoir -- full, or filled to the FULL line? Big difference.

You bleed the cooling system with the radiator cap off because without the cap, the system never pressurizes and thus does not spray.

Position the car with the front wheels elevated about six inches. I found a sloped driveway the easiest solution to this, though jack stands are an alternative method. Properly, you should fill the engine first, then the radiator -- it's not an absolute requirement since it's not an aluminum engine, but it's a good idea. Easiest way to do that is to slowly pour coolant down the upper hose into the engine (disconnect it from the radiator first, of course). Fill the overflow bottle to the proper FULL line.

Once everything is filled, set the car into Park with the parking brake engaged, then start the car and let it warm up. Set the HVAC to full heat, no recirculation with maximum fan. You can rev the engine to speed up the process, if you have someone available to sit in the cabin while you continue adding coolant to the radiator. Keep adding coolant to the radiator until it stops dropping. Then shut the engine off and install the radiator cap. Make sure the overflow bottle is properly connected so that the system pulls in coolant as the temperature drops rather than air.