1GRFE Engine Swap

Last shot before the hood went back on. Its running so smooth my beer stayed put for the pic.

 

hopefully there isnt a next time but you should unbolt the torque converter and leave it inside the trans, not only will it be easier to line up you defiantly wont damage the o ring or seal on it!!!!! but good job!!!!!!!

 

So thats what the little plastic filler peice is for at the bottom of the bell housing... I figured that out long after I should have. I lost around 2 qts of tranny fluid leaving it attached to the flywheel. I was not able to get any of the Toyota approved tranny fluid this weekend, so although I got my truck running, I'm afraid to drive it until I get a couple quarts of fluid back in the tranny.

 

Here's what I did for lift hooks. Theres a hole at each side of the heads, they're pretty thick. I bought some links at Lowe's, each having over 2500 lb rating... the pin fit perfectly through the hole.










Worked great!

 

A couple things that slowed me down today... When removing the exhaust I twisted off one of the studs. Had to drill it out. The other issue I discovered close to the end of my reassembly. As I was reattaching the manifold that required surgery, I noticed a connector hanging around the rear of the block that didnt have a mate. It turned out to be a water temp sending unit located in an impossible position. Here's what it looks like... this is the only time you will see it unless you pull a good portion of your intake and water lines on the raer of the engine.

 

Hood back on. Out of Dos XX. Engine running with Bud Light standing still.

 

Hey that first picture looks a lot like a picture I took a few months back...

Glad to hear it was a successful swap. It is a very satisfying moment to get everything reinstalled, turned over, and here it idle. Way to go dude!

 

Good job man! Congrats.

 

100 Mile update. Got the tranny fluid topped off at local shop on Tuesday. I was 2.5 qts low from the fluid lost during the swap. Replaced with the Toyota WS. Front seal of tranny is fine, although tranny guy says I am lucky considering I stabbed the engine with torque converter on flywheel. I told him yes, I am Lucky, he didnt get it though.

Engine is running smooth. Seems to idle at lower rpm than I remember with my previous engine. Once engine is warm it drops to just over 500 according to the tach, but idle is smooth. What should warm idle rpm be?

I may have bumped some underbody heat sheilds during the swap, have a slight rattle down there occasionally.

I staying under 2000 rpm for the most part. Not pushing it much. With 1200 miles on this motor, its not quite broken in.

Continuing to monitor everyting pretty close. Will probably change the engine oil again once I have 500 more miles on it. At the same time I intend to add oil pressure and temp gauges with a sandwich adapter and run gauges in the pillar. More updates will follow.

 

Way to be bold! Good job!

 

Thanks guys.

 

Awesome job!

 

Same to you bro. It is damn satisfying. No more trips to the dealer for us.

 

Thanks guys.

 

Hey X,
One of my post-install additions will be an oil cooler and sandwich adapter with ports for oil pressure and temp. I notice a pretty tall cooler mounted to your ride. What brand and size is that? How much oil capacity did it add? Are you running gauges off of your adapter?

My sandwich adapter will be here this week, but I havent bought the cooler yet, still shopping around.

Link to adapter I bought..
http://www.glowshiftdirect.com/oil-cooler-sandwich-adapter-34-unf-16.aspx

Thx,
Lucky

 

25K mile update. The '09 1GRFE in my '07 continues to spin like a top. Mobile 1 filter and synthetic every 5K. Still have my original engine taking up space on a stand in the garage.

 

Ha ha I think you should put that old engine in USPS flat rate box and ship it here

Glad that worked for you

 

50K on 2009 engine now, no problems. Probably safe to say it was a success. Old engine still on engine stand in garage. Think perhaps I'll sell it or part it out. If anyone is interested in a complete long block or specific parts, PM me. Heads, cams, timing cover, block, crank, etc.... its all there, except for the valve covers that went to Coupe. Engine was running when it was pulled, but if you read the history, you'll find there were some valvetrain issues.

Coupe, if you polished or painted the valve covers, would be cool to see what you did.

 

Just read through both threads...what a bum deal. But the transplant was smooth, nice job! My boys and I did the same thing on a Bronco a few years back, and it's still going. Many folks wouldn't bite off a job of that depth...gotta love it when it comes together.

 

I'm one of those people. I would not know where to start to transplant an engine. Great job, and congratulations!!!