How hard is a DIY engine swap? Special tools needed?

[renns]

me and a friend can lift a volvo 5 cyl in and out of the trunk of my 850. for install and removal your gonna want a hoist. leave the tranny bolted up.

Wow, I'd better drop down a bit on my 500lb estimate of engine/tranny. Unless you guys are some steroid-pumped body builders!

C@lvin,

I pulled one engine separate from the tranny, and found it more difficult due to the space needed to disengage the engine from the tranny. That lateral 5-pot engine doesn't leave much extra space to move things around. If you pull as an assembly, the transmission can easily be removed while the engine is up in the air, or even with it sitting on the shop floor on a couple wood blocks.

[C@lvin]

There seems to pretty much be a consensus of opinion that the tranny needs to be pulled with the engine.

What are some tips for choosing the replacement engine? Erie vs Craigslist for example (is the price difference worth the risk?).

If you're buying an engine, what are some things you need to check and make sure the seller is either doing or disclosing? Are there some things that may or may not come with an engine (other than a tranny)? How would you finish the sentance, "don't buy an engine if" or "don't buy an engine unless".....

[renns]

What are some tips for choosing the replacement engine? Erie vs Craigslist for example (is the price difference worth the risk?).

If you're buying an engine, what are some things you need to check and make sure the seller is either doing or disclosing? Are there some things that may or may not come with an engine (other than a tranny)? How would you finish the sentance, "don't buy an engine if" or "don't buy an engine unless".....

I've purchased a couple used engines (not Volvo) from local reputable auto wreckers, and had good luck with both. I'd consider doing that again. To check local stock of spare engines, try this link.

Alternatively, you may want to keep your eyes open for a complete running car to use as a donor. That way you can see the engine running, do a proper warm compression check, perhaps check maintenance records, etc.

I picked up an 850 sedan a couple years back in running condition for $450. It was rough cosmetically, but ran fine. I needed the 5-speed tranny, but found a local buyer for the engine who was able to come and see it running before purchase. He got a deal on the engine, and I was able to make a few $$ before sending the rest of the car to the crushers.

If you have the time and space, buying the spare car is a great option, as you'll get the practice of removing an engine twice before putting the good one back in your car!

[C@lvin]

I've purchased a couple used engines (not Volvo) from local reputable auto wreckers, and had good luck with both. I'd consider doing that again. To check local stock of spare engines, try this link.

Alternatively, you may want to keep your eyes open for a complete running car to use as a donor. That way you can see the engine running, do a proper warm compression check, perhaps check maintenance records, etc.

Great suggestions, There is a pick n pull locally that usually has 8-10 850/S/V70 but the engines go pretty fast. I particularly like the donor car idea since you can know how it's running (and as you suggest, hopefully get some service records).

[jofinneg]

The first time I did the swap it took 2 weekends, now I could probably do it in a day-and-a-half (longer if replacing all the things that really should be replaced when the engine is out). Also, it's a pretty tight fit to get that sucker back in. Have a large supply of 10mm and 12mm sockets with several socket extensions and pivots. Take pictures along the way- good luck!

[VolvoAgain1]

Follow the suggestions in the previous posts and you'll be fine. To give you an idea about engine hoist rental costs: A rental outfit in a suburb of Boston charged $40/day plus taxes. Decided it was worthwhile to buy one from Harbor Freight and not have to worry about rushing the process.To make moving the engine/trans combo around, pick up a furniture moving dolly at Home Depot for around$20.

One last thing: take lots of pictures and save them! Nothing like having pictures of vacuum hose routings replaced by pictures of animals at the zoo!!!

Good luck!

[C@lvin]

Anybody out there think taking pictures would help? Seriously, I am getting that message loud and clear!!!

Also, as slow and OCD as I am (even with pictures ) at $40 a day, there's no question I'd be buying the Harbor Freight hoist.

I called Erie this afternoon and they quoted around $1000 plus about $100 shipping for a 2.3 liter with lifetime warranty. Makes that donor car concept v-e-r-y attractive......

[renns]

Calvin,

Run a Kijiji search in your area, and see what you can find. Alternatively, car-part.com shows a bunch in my area, with prices ranging from $2499 down to $300. I have no idea what they are smoking expecting $2499, as the bulk of the engines are in the $450-$700 range. Run a similar search in your local, and see what you find. If you've got a local reputable recycler, that'd be a good place to start if you don't buy a whole car.

[jblackburn]

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/bar/1381542680.html

[C@lvin]

OK Jack, that's not fair. I've been checking that Knoxville Craigslist on and off for days and you found it first