1GRFE Engine Swap

Nice work. Disappointing Toyota stiffed you.

 

90K on swap. Spinning like a... yota.

You thought I was gonna say "top".

 

Glad to hear it. I read this thread years ago and hoped it would never happen to me.......

and now I've had a "new" donor engine in my shed for almost year waiting for my lazy ass to get it in the truck.

 

Brother, its not a difficult job. It was so much easier than I expected, partly because everything you need to connect either has a unique connector or not enough slack to go anywhere else. Why are you considering a swap?

 

Hello I'm a new member doing research before I start my project and came across this thread. I have a head gasket going bad and pulling the motor is required for this. Just wondering if Lucky is still monitoring this thread? I'd love to be able to get some advice when obstacles pop up!

 

I've seen several people here report replacing head gaskets without pulling the engine. You still get to pull the timing chain cover since the chain has to go to pull the head. I've done a number of head gasket jobs for various family members over the years, haven't had to pull an engine yet. Of course a front-wheel drive v8 might change that but I am not buying one myself.

 

Interesting...I have a buddy who is a service writer at a large Toyota Dealership. He asked one of his lead techs and they said what I've heard from others, that you have to pull the motor because the oil pan to timing chain cover gaskets can't be done correctly unless the engine is pulled. I did see an alternative method by pulling the front axle assembly but that looked like even more work in the long run.

Funny thing is, the engine is still running fine. It's at almost 190k, but the oil is clean, no signs of coolant in the oil, and the only CEL I did have, the p0304 cylinder misfire and obvious miss on cold starts have gone away. There's a little bit of brown residue in the coolant and bubbles coming up through the coolant, which indicates some bypass from the cylinder into the cooling system, but like I said its running fine. I'm tempted to just let it ride a while and monitor it for any signs of getting worse before I have to pull the motor.

 

If you've got a procedure specific to this set up where I can do head gaskets with the motor still in the truck, I'd really appreciate some details or some advice on where to find the info. Thanks

 

Heres a couple pics of my old motor still in the truck with timing cover off before I did the swap.





I've never pulled heads on a 1GRFE, but I will say, there is a lot of space to move around in the engine bay, especially when you pull all the ancillaries, intake, etc...

 

Lucky, really enjoyed reading about your swap out, pics and followups!! Was curious what all hoses, seals and/or wiring harness changes did you have to make to 2009 replacement into your 2007 body (and it's wiring config)? Or were you able to transfer the existing 2007 wiring harness over to the 2009 replacement "1:1"? Or did you have to change anything at all? I'm looking at a similar issue with my 2005 4.0L Taco 4x4. Debating swapping it out myself or getting a local indy Toyota/Lexus shop to do it. Unfortunately, I don't have a lift or a stand, so I have to take that into consideration too. One thing the indy shop owner told me was that they always used a new wiring harness kit. OK, maybe so. Regardless of the wiring, what other gaskets and/or hoses did you need for your swap? thanks!

 

Just courious what oil did you run in your old V6? Looks pretty clean.

 

So maybe this is obvious once it's all apart, but how do I disconnect the torque convertor from the flywheel (Flexplate?) with the engine still attached or when putting it back together?

I see the plastic filler piece, but doesn't seem to be enough room to get any tools in there.

Help a dummy out would you all? I'm in process of pulling my motor right now.

 

Very cool! I wouldn’t know where to begin but this would be fun to do one day!

 

On some vehicles you have to pull the engine and tranny separately because there's not enough room to get the assembly out of the engine bay. I suspect that's how it is on the Taco, but when I've done the job I used a floor jack under the front of the transmission to keep it from moving around.

 

For those of you who may use this thread later, I answered my own question.

To separate the flexplate from the torque converter, you pull the starter off, and take the six torque converter/flywheel bolts out from the starter hole, turning the bolt on the front of the crank to get to each one.

Shouldn’t be too much issue to line engine and trans back up, and I certainly didn’t lose any trans fluid .

 

any update on HG?

 

Subd for next weekends swap.

 

How’s the truck running? I’m debating on doing the swap myself or paying someone to do it.

 

Hey @lucky ,

Terrific thread, still waiting on most of the 60 pics you took!!

Interesting sandwich adapter you posted. The link is still good!

Does it replace the stock Yota one and allow for oil pressure and temp gauges? Did you mount yours up and take pics?

 

Full engine swap? If so, it is actually very easy. Did it with one good leg once.