2002 Engine Swap (5VZ-FE)

My 2002 threw two connecting rods at 125,000 without any warning. After about a month of searching I located a replacement engine at a local salvage yard with 81,000 miles. The replacement motor was in great shape, but while I had it on the stand I decided to do all of the typical maintenance items including:

• Timing belt, idlers and tensioner
• Crankshaft bolt
  
• Water pump
• Upper water inlet gasket
  
• Valve cover gaskets
• Cam and crank seals
• Oil pan gasket
• Oil cooler hoses
• Oil dipstick o-ring
  
• Intake Gaskets
  
• Spark plugs & wires
• P/S, A/C and Alternator belts
• Low pressure P/S line (purchased high pressure line but wasn't able to disconnect from rack)
• Coolant

Start to finish was about 40 hours of work in my driveway & garage. Pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/nGrCyAnrRCE4q3PUA

 

How did you get the ring gear to torque converter bolts out with the converter so recessed?

 

Those were by far the most difficult part of this project. After taking the half round cover off the bell housing I had an assistant turning the crank with a breaker bar on the crank bolt. I was under the truck (laying on a driveway on my back) and with an 18" breaker bar I would get on the bolt I was loosening when the bolt is at the 8 o'clock position then I would have the assistant turn the crank which would turn the bolts on the ring gear. You only have a short range of motion to work from about 8 o'clock to 4 o'clock. After you break them loose you can get in there with your hands to loosen and install the bolts until snug. Hope this makes sense.

 

I just took the torque converter out with the motor because my motor was locked up. I found the hardest part hugging the transmission attaching the bell housing to the motor, if the damn y pipe wasn't there it would be so much easier doing it from above.