Hey, thanks for taking the time to read my question....

 

NUTSHELL:

I've got two subaru loyales, one with a beat up body but ok engine, one with a blown engine but straight body. How hard would swapping the good engine into the good car be?

 

 

DETAILS:

-The engine info stickers show them to be the same (1.8L tbi) and they look the same, and the two cars are same make, model, and within 2 years of each other in manufacture.

 

-I am a pretty good shade-tree mechanic. Last summer I stripped my 4runner's engine totally down for new gaskets and timing chain. When I put it back together it ran on the first try.

 

I've never cracked a block, but from the book this looks pretty simple: undo the fuel and air lines, electrical, and exhaust, then unbolt the engine from the tranny and hoist it out. Reverse process for the other engine.

 

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS:

How long should I budget for this?

Is there anything I should look out for, or any reason I shouldn't try it?

Is there any possibility the good engine might not swap in, even though it looks the same and has the same underhood sticker/model#?

It will be one of the easiest swaps you've ever done. You didn't mention transmissions, but if one is manual and one is automatic, just be sure to swap the appropriate flexplate/flywheel/clutch assemblies. Other than that, you're golden. Maybe take the bad motor out first so you get a feel for it with less risk, other than that...

 

Oh, and someone will be sure to say "put a 2.2 in it!", which is a bit more work but also doable.

 

Budget a weekend or so, unless you're going to reseal the engine (wouldn't be a bad idea while it's out), replace the timing belts/pulleys, hoses (there are several small coolant hoses around the top of the motor). All that stuff is way easier to do while it's out of the car, though totally manageable while it's installed.

 

Have fun!

Really not a hard job at all. The hardest thing for me was getting the A/C bracket bolts back in cause of my big meat hooks. A bookwould be a good idea. Mark everything as you break it down. I use zip lock baggies to hold all the fastners. Write on em with a Sharpie so you know which assembly they are from. Might be a good idea to spray the exhaust maniflod nuts with PB Blaster for a few days before you start cause they can be a pain. Seems they snap the studs for a number of people. Would'nt be a bad idea to reseal it while you have it out. Lots and lots of great tips here if you spend some time digging around. Super friendly bunch here to. Folks here have sure helped me out.

For the most pair it will be a walk in the park. All you'll want is the long block, from valve cover to valve cover and you can do any engine resealing at this point in time. Then just put the intake from the car it's going into along with the power steering alternator and A/C compressor on it and you're done. Always make sure to yard the radiator with the fans out first.