'93 HB engine removal/replacement (general questions)

Forum for the Xterra, Frontier and Hardbody, the smaller workhorses of the Nissan lineup!
icrf
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:46 am
Car: 2012 Infiniti M37x
1993 Nissan Hardbody
1970 International Harvester Travelall
Location: Chattanooga, TN

Post

Parts of cylinder #1 tried to escape through the oil pan on the way home. It made a few unusual popping sounds, then drove more or less normal for five minutes home, then dropped a quart of oil in the garage over the next hour. So, this engine is dead, assuming it will never start again. It had over 200k miles and I probably haven't been as nice as I should have to something that old, so ce la vie.

My question is kind of two fold. First, anyone have a good process for what all needs to come off/out to remove the engine? I've done a fair amount of work further down the drivetrain, but never touched the engine, much less pulled one. Just a matter of draining fluids, removing the hood, unplugging everything electrical, unbolting exhaust, bellhousing, and engine mounts, slide it forward and lift it up? Do I remove accessories before pulling? What about the radiator? What do I do with the coolant lines for the AC compressor? I assume this is old enough I shouldn't vent it, but I can hardly drive it somewhere to be captured.

Second, what about a replacement? I'm good putting another 4-cylinder in there. I know, odd, but I put crawler gears in the tcase I'd like to keep, and the V6 is splined differently and wouldn't match (and honestly doesn't make that much more power). So do I try to find a local junk yard and grab one from there? A neighbor suggesting rebuilding the used one before putting it in. Since it's out and has an unknown history, why not?

Other option would be to buy one already rebuilt. Looking at prices for a used engine, a rebuild kit, and machining, I'm not sure I'd save much over buying one already done. Where would be a good place to buy one? My place of work has a loading dock, so receiving a commercial freight shipment is easy.


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