Take pictures. Mark EVERYTHING you disconnect, as to where it goes. There are a LOT of connectors under there. Bag and label every bolt you remove. (zip lock bags, masking tape, and a sharpie are highly recommended.) Keep track of the order in which you do things. Makes putting it back together quicker.... (rather than putting something in, discover it's in the way of something else, and have to take it back off again.....) There are other tricks, but, for me, its more habit, than memory at this point......

While the intake is off, do the plenum gasket. If you get a new long block, they are likely going to want a new water pump for warranty purposes as well.

 

You know, halfway through my trip I started hearing a lot of rattling coming from my catalytic converter. Is there any chance the exhaust system could be the cause of the noice I'm hearing. On other threads I saw people pointing to exhaust manifold gaskets, etc. Just want to make sure. About to go buy an oil pressure gauge!

 

Can you tell me where to find the oil pressure sender?

 

Found your response to someone with a 5.2 (same for the 5.9?):

"Its just to the passenger side of the distributor. Gotta pull the doghouse, and then its right there."

 

Ok, so good news is my oil pressure sending unit was bad and I have good oil pressure. The gauge read about 25 psi at idle and went up to 40 psi when I hit the gas.

But that sound isn't good. I thought valves at first but once I got the air filter off it sounds more like something else. I have no clue... haha

I made two videos here:

 

That sounds suspiciously like rod knock.......

 

Thanks man. Yeah, my dad said the same thing. I guess I'll be spending some money or dumping the project. I found a single youtube video with pictures of the engine swap on a 5.2. I got a quote from a local mechanic for $1,500 for the swap. Right now I\m just disappointed I put it months of work for two nights of camping, just when I got my 12v system up and running. Do you know which service manual is the best for this van?

 

Also, do I have to lift the engine to remove the oil pan?

 

Get the Factory Service Manual. It actually has accurate wiring diagrams..... I think it's published by Bishko. You can usually find them for easy download in PDF format for under 50 bucks on Ebay, or Amazon.

Could always find a used motor to drop in there....... Of course, with used, you don't really know what you are getting... At least the reman fellers come with a warranty.

1500 bucks is probably about right for an engine swap in a van....... If you are mechanically inclined, and not in a hurry, could probably do it yourself though. Might be able to rent an engine hoist.... Only really need basic hand tools, and a place to do it, with a concrete floor. (so the engine hoist will actually roll.)

I think you do indeed need to lift the motor to pull the pan. Dropping the pan, and replacing bearings *might* be an option. It doesn't sound like they are really bad yet...... Might get lucky?

 

Well dang, if I can swap the bearings and potentially keep the engine going awhile... that would be great. If I get the oil pan dropped, is changing the bearings pretty straight forward?

Thanks for the recommendation on the manual. I’ll snag that immediately.