# Engine replacement in car **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** pontiac, engines\ **Created:** [April 18, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640 "2022-04-18T23:36:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Angelv3059\_180292](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Angelv3059\_180292](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Angelv3059_180292)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/1 "2022-04-18T23:36:10Z")
If I’m putting an engine in that has 70k miles on it compared to my (now old one) that had 180k. Do you recommend changing anything on the one I’m going to be putting in? It’s obv used. 3.8 L not supercharged ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2022, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/2 "2022-04-18T23:58:13Z")
If it has an egr mounted in a difficult to access place, make sure everything associated with all that is in pristine condition, all the paths underneath the egr are cleaned of gunk etc. I’d also put in a new water pump, and consider a new starter motor as well. Any job that’s lots easier to do with the engine out should be considered. Suggest to at least take a look under the timing cover. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 12:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/3 "2022-04-19T00:12:48Z")
The crankshaft seal. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/4 "2022-04-19T00:35:38Z")
> [@shanonia](#): > > The crankshaft seal. Especially the rear. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 12:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/5 "2022-04-19T00:59:08Z")
Maybe oil pan gasket along with those crank seals. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 1:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/6 "2022-04-19T01:24:24Z")
Also freeze plugs. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/7 "2022-04-19T01:40:08Z")
No interest in finding why your cyl has low compression? Stubborn ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/8 "2022-04-19T03:16:33Z")
Also the front seal on the transmission. Look very carefully for any cracks in the exhaust manifold before you install the engine. If you don’t want to replace the water pump, look at the weep hole in it and see if it is stained coolant color. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/9 "2022-04-19T03:31:59Z")
> [@Cavell](#): > > No interest in finding why your cyl has low compression? Stubborn The reason may have been stated on the inspection invoice but not understood or just chose not to share the information with you. There are some who believe an engine with 175,000 miles is not repairable so that may be a factor. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 4:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/10 "2022-04-19T04:04:32Z")
The front pump seal (a.k.a torque converter) should always be replaced. The last thing you want to have happen is to install the engine and discover transmission fluid gushing out due to an aged seal getting damaged during the install. Make sure you are on the same page with the shop about what is going to happen if that used engine turns out to be problematic. Salvage yards may guarantee the engine and will gladly trade it back again but will not guarantee labor. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/11 "2022-04-19T20:21:56Z")
He replaced trans already with low mile unit. They changed seal when they did trans. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2022, 11:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/12 "2022-04-19T23:39:10Z")
lol … All those are hard to argue with suggestions. That’s the problem with any intense car job, very tempting to expand the scope. Almost impossible to resist. Reminds me of the episode on _Counting Cars_, one of the staff simply wanted to get their restoration running as quickly cheaply as possible, a pragmatic restore inother word, then used as a daily driver. Danny said “There’s no way you’re going to do that!” … sure enough, by the time the car was done nearly every plan to stick with only what is needed had been voided. The end result was a pretty cool car though. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/13 "2022-04-20T14:24:40Z")
A poster has 09 accord with problem cyl. He could use good fix also. ---
**Author:** ![whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com/32/28939_2.png) [@whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com](https://community.cartalk.com/u/whatswrongwithmyvehicle.com)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/14 "2022-04-21T13:08:03Z")
Folks have made some great suggestions. Definitely agree on the front seal on the transmission. Better to deal with now rather than later! ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/15 "2022-04-23T15:10:55Z")
Do mechanics even want to install a used motor? Seems like a great way to have issues. A cheap car owner and a used motor with issues. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/16 "2022-04-23T17:18:38Z")
Spark Plugs. Once installed, the spark plugs are a bear to replace. Be sure to use at least double platinum, but if you can get Iridium/platinum plugs, do that. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 5:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-replacement-in-car/183640/17 "2022-04-23T17:32:32Z")
3.8L with the plastic upper intake manifold? Replace the upper manifold (they wear out) and reseal the lower intake. Spark plugs and wires, water pump, thermostat, “L” shaped coolant connector pipes at the front of the engine. Obviously belts and hoses and flush the radiator. Before the work is begun check the A/C for proper operation and any leaks. Any A/C components that need to be replaced will have much easier access with the engine out.