Engine Swap - 87 2.9 into 89 BII

[CraigK]

Looks like my great running BII 4x4 AT is nearing the end of it's road life due to a Nov.08 rear-ending accident and requirement for a safety inspection by mid-next month. Just too many little things wrong (besides the damaged bodywork) to make it worthwhile to invest in the re-inspection.
So . . .

Thinking about buying a supposedly nice 89 BII AT with a "leaking head gasket" which we all know that's a cracked head. Taking the perfectly fine engine out of my damaged 87, and transferring it to the 89. I already have the EGR system capped and plugged on my 87.

What are the implications of this swap? Computer? Exhaust system? Wiring harness? AC/heating? other/etc. Any insight appreciated.
CraigK

 

[holyford86]

use the 89 wiring harness, computer, and exhaust, you can use the 87 power steering pump on the 89 but you might have to swap the 89 high pressure hose for the 87 one because the fitting at the pump may be different. you might want to try unbolting the ac compressor from the motor with all of the lines hooked up and swinging it out of the way if the system is still functioning so you can avoid having to pay for recovery and recharging. everything else just pick the best one as far as accessories and such.

 

[CraigK]

Thanks for the info. Sounds relatively straightforward.

Is it OK to use the 89 PS pump? Will it bolt to the 87 block? (the 87 PS pump has a slight leak).

Is it easy to unbolt and remove just the engine in these things? (vs. engine & tranny?) Can all the engine-to-tranny bolts be easily accessed?

Thanks. CraigK

 

[Psychopete]

Thanks for the info. Sounds relatively straightforward.

Is it OK to use the 89 PS pump? Will it bolt to the 87 block? (the 87 PS pump has a slight leak).

Is it easy to unbolt and remove just the engine in these things? (vs. engine & tranny?) Can all the engine-to-tranny bolts be easily accessed?

Thanks. CraigK

Not sure if the bracketry is different, but worse comes to worse, remove the pulley and swap the pump onto the bracket that works. It will interchange in that aspect.

Some people pull both engine and trans, I like to disconnect them and pull separately. And I will probably get hated on for saying that, but that method usually results in the destruction of something else IMO.

Just swap the entire '89 upper intake onto the '87 engine, and swap exhaust manifolds.

A few of the bell bolts can be tricky to access, but I've installed bell bolts to a 5.0L/AOD in there without having to beat the floor in. You should be good. The exhaust will probably be the most annoying, but that little shit is what makes it take forever.

Pete