If you'd be following, I had to snag a new engine at the Hershey Swap Meet and finally got to the point today where I could start the engine. I worked on it myself, for the most part, having no help. A second pair of hands could have shortened the swap by a week or so.
Today:
- Installed Air Conditioning compressor
- Installed Alternator
- Installed power steering belt
- Installed primary belt
- Installed Radiator (again). Had to correct the mounts. The original owner was an idiot.
- Installed hoses.
- Filled with coolant.
- Filled power steering.
- Looked over for anything missing.
- Looked it over again.
- And again...
- Nervous...
- And again...
And when we turned the key...
.it started right up! Took 10-15 revolutions as it needed to build fuel pressure but it started right up.
Problem #1:
It ran for 5-10 minutes without any issues. The idle was set to 1200 (from the last engine due to a low cold idle) so we knew it was high. But once the engine got warm, the engine RPM would dip to 500RPM, instantaneously as if something was turned ON, then it immediately revved back to 1200. Then approximately 20-30 seconds later, it did it again, as if something was kicking on (or off), and then immediately went back to normal. This continued over and over. Any ideas what this is?? I'll get a video of it tomorrow.
Problem #2:
There's an oil leak coming out the rear of the engine that wasn't happening when it was on the engine crane. GRR. This is frustrating. It's either the rear oil seal, or the rear of the oil pan gasket. But it's a pretty good liquid leak as opposed to a seep. why couldn't it leak when we had it out of the car??? What do you think it is?
Problem #3:
We had to disconnect the front suspension to swap the engine, both from the car and from the engine itself. We installed a new tie rod end on the driver's side, but the passenger side is having issues. When the wheel is turned to the right, there's a LOUD rubbery squeal emanating from the strut tower. In fact, you can see the strut tower spinning from the engine bay as the wheel is turned to the right. As you turn back left, it returns with the wheel back to normal. From under the car, you can see the spring rotating slowly when the steering is turned to the right. Why is this spinning?? What can I do to stop it? It didn't do it before the removal of the suspension.