Misc parts to replace when engine is out

[NervGS]

Hi all,

I'm planning to do a first time engine swap (this is the car's 3rd engine) on my '01 Golf with about 320K miles on it. It will for the most part be a straight swap, just have to move over the larger nozzles, transmission, and will be doing a belt job for the first time as well (luckily it will be on a stand) along with a new front & rear main seal. Engine went due to a runaway turbo; I was able to save it the first time, had a shop swap over the turbo, I neglected to mention they clean the intercooler and piping out of oil (they didn't have any experience with diesels), it ranaway on them, and they couldn't save it in time.

Since this is my first time doing this, I'm wondering other than the engine, what are some good things to replace while the engine is out that can typically be a pain in the butt while it's in? Like I mentioned above, the car has about 320K miles (I put over 170K on it) and I haven't really touched anything down there.........

Thanks!

-glenn

 

[Nero Morg]

Clean the intake and runners before you put it in. Really all about it.

 

[PANIAWO]

Make sure the clutch is good to go. Usually at least a throw out bearing is in order. I'm all about cleaning the **** outta the engine bay and painting the engine block since you are already in there deep.

 

[NervGS]

Definitely cleaning the intake, intercooler, and anywhere else oil could be hiding...... That's going to be fun.

Clutch has only 10K or so miles on it, so that's still good to go. Unfortunately the engine I'm replacing was swapped in 9 months and 10K miles ago! Ugh.

Thanks for reminding me about the throwout bearing. I don't think I'll be reusing that one. The last time I did a major engine swap was on my Corolla race car like 10+ years ago. Since then I've lost a lot of interest in the whole car world (hence me taking the turbo to a shop to get swapped), but this job is now a necessity for me as I'd rather do everything myself and not hope & wonder if things were done correctly..... It's all coming back to me, but very slowly, and I do see myself missing a thing or two hopefully when I get to it so I can correct it, and not waaaaaaay after the fact.

-glenn

 

[jokila]

Always, always replace the throwout bearing on a clutch service. They just don't last as long as the rest.

You won't be able to find TDC without the transmission connected to it so plan for the timing belt work to come after you have them together. I would replace seals like on the coolant tube and in the coolant flange on the side of the head. The heater core connectors can get brittle and break so you might have to replace one. Redo the vacuum lines if they are old.