[Leeann_93]

Hi, I've got a '93 Astro EXT AWD vin W that needs an engine transplant (threw a rod), but is in great shape otherwise. The replacement engine is actually sitting in the back...just need to find the time and good weather to do the swap.

We bought a '93 Olds Bravada for $500 to pull the engine but decided we liked it too much, so I fixed it up and had it inspected and registered. So I found an engine already pulled from the truck (and had head/injector work recently done) for $200.

 

[astro355]

Cool, sounds good. Welcome aboard!

 

[Leeann_93]

Thanks

 

[Matrixx]

Hi Leeann_93
Welcome aboard, I will be doing my engine transplant this weekend by the looks of. Just found a good motor for it and I am lucky to have friend of mine who has shop to do the work in. Looks like Friday night will be the start of it and god knows when I will complete it. I'm not rushing it. Might even take pictures but I'm not very good at it (it's not my strongest point,hehe).

PS: That's a smok'n deal for the motor, looks good.

 

[AstroAustin]

Nice to meet you Leeann_93. Welcome. Make yourself at home.
Good luck with the engine transplant.

 

[Leeann_93]

Thanks, guys

Please take pics & notes, Matrixx - it would be very helpful when it's time to do ours. The bf's brother has a nice shop (no lift - he's a marine mechanic), but it's over an hour away. So the yard it is...

 

[Matrixx]

Hi Leeann_93
Notes I can do, I'll sure "try" for pictures,hehe. Please understand that this will be a "What I did" instead of a "how to". I'll take pictures from start to finish but may not be in the order listed in the manual.

This may take a bit, I just got word the motor (Used low mileage) isn't out of the other van yet, so I will keep you up to date when the engine Re & Re will take place (hopefully start tomorrow night), I'll find out for sure tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Leeann_93]

Thanks! Any pics would be appreciated - I don't need a step-by-step, but as a graphic designer, I need visuals

 

[Matrixx]

Hi Leeann_93

I'll do my best. I'm starting the job as we speak, so I will be off until I'm done. Take Care.

 

[Leeann_93]

Good luck!

 

[Matrixx]

Hi Leeann_93
I'm back, and after careful consideration and measurements, I decided drop the sub-frame instead. Their just isn't any room at all without pulling the motor apart in the frame to get it out the front and that would have been more complicated and time consuming. It appears the older style vans have more room than the newer ones to do it.

I did take some pictures, but with time constraints I was only able to take a few and some are a bit blurry. I haven't been able to do any write ups as of yet. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them, but the newer design appears to be a lot different size wise than the older ones (95 and under).

I'll try to post them in the gallery section if I can.

 

[Leeann_93]

Hey, that's a good thing to know.

Did the swap go well for you?

And thanks

 

[Matrixx]

Hi Leeann_93
It did go as well as could be expected for my first sub-frame drop (I didn't rush it). A couple of Hicks-Ups, but nothing that couldn't be worked out. I'll be observing it for the next little while just to make sure, but the motor seems solid. I'll try to post the pictures in gallery if I can.

 

[Leeann_93]

Great!

 

[astro355]

Here's an idea of an empty engine bay in the first gen vans. Don't let the wiring harness fool you, there is a lot of room in there. Once I jacked up the front of the van to get better clearance, it was a piece of cake.

 

[Leeann_93]

Cool, thanks!

Was there any cutting involved or does the core support unbolt? I just like being as prepared as possible before I start on something new...and I need to get the unbolting/removing process started (I want my van to run, dangit!)

 

[Matrixx]

I need to edit the album, so here is a link which I hope works, just click on the picture to open the album up:
gallery2.php?g2_itemId=451

 

[astro355]

The radiator support in first generation vans (85-93) is bolt on and can be removed to do an engine swap. The white circles represent where the radiator support is bolted onto each side. There are four bolts on each side.

 

[Leeann_93]

Perfect - thank you. That's a relief

The bf is an HVAC master, by the way. His dad owned an auto/marine repair shop when he was growing up (and his brother's a marine mechanic), so we should be okay. It's just the specifics of this truck he doesn't have - I do have all the factory service manuals, though (can you tell I haven't read through them yet?).

 

[astro355]

What didn't you know, FSMs are supposed to sit on shelves and give customers the impression that you know what you are doing. :dance: