[Rules] Basic Rules For an Engine Conversion

[Cuzzo]

and another :
you will swear and throw tools..

or is that just me??

Just dont ever do things for temp, cause you will forget it and then not do it untill it falls off.

[ed]

only 1 thing happens per day

[roadsailing]

on wiring, as i see it there are two options, based on my experience.

1. buy a half cut or a loom and ECU that has not had anything removed from it at all

2. buy an engine and an aftermarket ECU

chasing bits is no fun at all.

dont ask how much it will cost, factor in a grand on top of the cost of the engine.

buy shitloads of:

gladbags to put parts in

new permanent markers to write on things

zipties for teh win

electrical tape

wire

oh yeah, when woking on heater plumbing, use inline 6 commodore heater hoses, these are known at parts places as "the really f*cking long ones"

[30psi 4agte]

only 1 thing happens per day

Aint that the truth !!

[ed]

if pulling an engine apart:

youll need:

x5 large tacklebox trays (clear lid type)
50 pack large zip lock sandwich bags
x1 roll/box 4"x1" adhesive envelope labels
x1 fine point permanant marker (or CD marking texta)

organise and label every MF'ing damn thing you touch

[thechuckster]

egg cartons are also good for holding individual sets like matching valve-springs & collets - a lid is highly desirable as you invariably tip the box over while searching for the mythical spare 12mm socket.

also, you will loose at least one tool in the pile of spares/left-overs you eventually dump after the conversion is done - so far i have gifted to the metal recycling gods:
-12inch long 1/4 inch drive extension rod
-a brand new, sharp, metal-cutting chisel
-1/2inch ring + open-ended spanner

also 2, do not wear a pro-drugs t-shirt while buying the 50+ zip-lock sandwich bags - the store detective will think you're a drug dealer and set the local constabulary onto you.

[ed]

while searching for the mythical spare 12mm socket.

ha! good point - i forgot!

Buy 2 extra 12mm open/ring spanners from supercheap

(ask justin how many 12mm spanners i have in the toolbox)

[DigitalPho3nix]

This should probably be made a sticky in the Conversions section. It's good info for everyone considering an engine swap.

[PlacentaJuan]

i forgot to mention probably the most usefull tool i used for my conversion:

digital camera.

i took photos of everything before, during and after the conversion.

i took photos of the engine bay from all angles and looked at the photos weeks later when i forgot where something goes or if something was there.

photos, photos, photos!

[CrUZida]

To me the most important this is:

DO NOT DO AN ENGINE CONVERSION ON YOUR DAILY DRIVER.

You WILL rush things, and you will regret this later.
Buy a bunky to drive for a couple of weeks so that you can do the conversion without a deadline.

[Merudo]

only 1 thing happens per day

Indeed.

Working on my rolla went something like this -

"well, the bigport 4AGE is out now!

....

*locks shed, lights up smoke and has a beer* "

Dunno why I didn't keep going. Maybe it was a rule that I subconsciously knew about. heh



edit: also, can not agree more with cruzsida's comment about not doing it on a daily driver.

I did, and in hindsight there is a lot of other stuff I would've liked to do but I rushed through it. Not saying I left out the crucial things, just I would've liked to do more stuff while the engine was out, etc

[grahamd]

As you pull anything apart take a photo with the digital camera.
Even the simple things are fogotten after a few weeks of wielding the spanners and you forget whcih way around some parts are facing.

[jfallen]

don't buy a motor that has a chopped loom and no Dizzy, your conversion wont get far.

and for SA memebrs, it's woth the $1 it costs to get into U-Pull-It, there are some decient engines in there, complete. Just allow a whole day to pull it out and get all the wireing.

Jordan

[RAd28]

and for SA memebrs, it's worth the $1 it costs to get into U-Pull-It, there are some decient engines in there, complete. Just allow a whole day to pull it out and get all the wireing.

you mean they have a cover charge?? hehe... cool

[c2888]

If it all turns to shit, close the door and walk away.
You think better the next time you attempt to tackle it, next day, next month, next year.

High pressure wash everything but electrics, sooo much nicer to work on things when your hands don't go black. If you can drive it to the local car wash, it'll be the best 5 bucks you'll spend on your conversion.

And unless you like getting bent over and getting reamed for odds and ends, buy a running halfcut, so much goodness in a halfcut

And have fun, because thats why we all do it, or is it a disease

Dan