My 2003 drivetrain is going to be arriving soon so it is finally time to ask this question. It has 7k miles on it, but I would like this addressed for everybody.

What are recommended maintenance items to be addressed before the motor goes into the car? These can apply to any engine, not just a low mileage one. I'd really like to open this up for discussion and find out what people usually do.

I know many recommend inspecting the clutch/flywheel thoroughly, though in my case it is not applicable. Plugs and wires can be inspected and possibly replaced, though they can be done with the engine in the car. Oil has probably been completely drained, so do we need to prelube it or anything? Can we rotate the crank by hand and verify its not seized or anything or could that damage the rings/bearings since it may have been dry for awhile? Coolant flushed? Headgaskets changed if it is high mileage? Turbo rebuilt? Thermostat/waterpump changed? Any specific, hard to reach hoses that should be replaced (I can't think of any)? Prime the engine (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=394192) before starting? Prime the turbo? Would that be done in the process of priming the engine? I would imagine the transmission and rear diff have also been completely drained of fluids so they must be refilled. Timing belt if engine is high mileage?

I'm relatively unsure as to what a typical freshening would involve on a transplant and what sort of pre-start checklist I will need.

My current list includes the following:
Change oil filter
Put in new engine oil
Put in new transmission fluid
Put in new rear diff fluid
New exhaust gaskets from the downpipe back
Inspect oil pan for damage
Inspect/replace timing belt
Inspect/replace timing belt tensioner
Inspect turbo shaft for play
Inspect all intake hoses and ports to be clear of debris

-Jon

depending on how it was shipped you may need to change the oil pan as that is what the motor often sits on..

i would at least do a timing belt inspection, make sure that the marks line up correctly



for a non usdm swap
water pump
timing belt
ideler pullies
tensioner
oil seals (espically rear main)

So everybody else just bolts in their motor without doing anything?

-Jon

Seeing that you never know where the engine came from or what its been through, I would change the timing belt and tensioner regardless. Better be safe than sorry. Also, definitely check the turbo for play and make sure there is no crap in the intake hoses.

Duly noted. I'll add the timing belt, tensioner, and oil pan to the list of things to inspect and possibly replace.

Nobody has commented this so I'm not sure if it has been overlooked or what, but do people typically prime the engine before cranking it over? I would hate to spin a bearing because they weren't properly lubed.

-Jon

now that i think about vt sports car also recomended that i change the cam oil seals as well .. as new as your is it shouldn't be a proublem

Definitely changed the oil and filter. When changing the filter, fill it with oil before you put it on. The will help it prime easier. I normally disconnect my coils and crank the engine until the oil light goes out before actually running the engine. When I started my swap project, I actually ran the engine on the ground before it went into the car. This way I made sure that everything was working ok.

stimpy, where'd you get your engine from?