Just got an email today with the replies to this post. The removal was succesful. The only issue was the oil pressure sending unit next to the right side engine mount. I should have removed it first cause it got hung up. I tilted and supported the tranny upward with a jackstand and had enough clearence to clear the front crossmember and slide forward. Only lost about a quart of transmission fluid in the process. Weather is clear tomorrow so I'm going to try to get the new one in. The old one only had 82,000 mile on it and had a failed intake gasket, dumping antifreeze into the cylinders throwing a rod that got wedged in the bottom of the block. I read everywhere on the net if you have one of these engines you should go ahead and replace the intake, head gaskets, and timing chain cover gaskets to as a preventitive measure. I did this on my new motor before dropping it in for piece of mind.

 

Sweet.
Most people will recommend that during any used engine swap. Just a rule of thumb to replace any major gaskets while the engine is out.

 

Installation was a success today. A real pain, but a success. All I have left major is the plenum to install and some misc. bolts and nuts. The truck has sat since 2008 with a full tank of gas so removal of the tank is my next project. I am sure that stuff is NASTY. Some say it would be fine, some say not. I am not going to take the chance so I am going to drop the whole thing so I can drain it.

 

I would do the same.... whoever thinks the fuel should be fine after 4 years is nuts. The injectors and fuel lines may well be gummed up also so as soon as you get it running, throw a bottle of techron in there for the first few tanks. On my swap, i used the injectors on the new engine, that had sat for 6 years.. had a few misfires upon start up but some fuel cleaner cleared it right up just a day later.

 

Yeah, 4 year old gas is stale and nasty. When I worked in a salvage yard, they would want us to use the gas drained from vehicle tanks for our yard cars. All it did was create constant problems with the vehicles. Do not use it!!!

 

Who does that? Lol...
Ive heard of dealership salesman siphoning gas from trade ins that would come in with full tanks but that one tops them

 

 

I remember my dad wanting to use gas that was sitting for 14 yrs. It smelled like ether. I couldn't stop laughing at him. I couldn't believe he was serious either.