need help making sure I purchase correct replacement engine for 97 Pathfinder

[woodc]

I recently purchased a 97 Pathfinder SE 4x4 automatic VIN JN8AR....

It needs a new engine and I am a little confused about what engines are available...I keep seeing engines for sale that reference the 4th digit of the VIN? Any help would be greatly appreciated! I searched but did not find any information....

[screwinitupagain]

zer...motorYou want a VG33E from a 96-99 R50. If you get one from a Frontier or an Xterra a lot of the components will be on the wrong side & you'd have to make some custom mounts (not engine mounts though). Make sure you get the wiring harness as well (you can use the existing one but its nice to have the one from the donor motor or to have another one incase a couple of the little computers chips are f*cked-up).

PS I noticed you were in NC so here ya go: http://outerbanks.craigslist.o....html Good luck

[nissandoms47]

as long as its a vg33e engine it'll work, i put an 01 xterra engine in my 96 r50 with no problems. That engine now sits in a 93 wd21.

[fueler]

Dont listen to either of these guys. The engine you are looking for is the 4.3L chevy vortec

you can thank me later

[woodc]

Thanks...sounds like I should be good...all of the engines I am looking at were out of 97 Pathfinders. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some mid/year change that was totally different or what not :-D

Any write-ups on yanking the engine? Any details as to what can be left in and the engine still come out (wondering about the steering knuckle up front) I have pulled/poked many engines into little sporty cars but this will be my first 6cyl and my first automatic. I am assuming the engine pulls out of the top and it is easiest to leave the transmission in? MR2s are bottom loaders...everything else I have done comes out the top.

I am hoping it comes out fairly easily.... I already have the radiator and fan off as well as most of the intake and the engine harness. I figured I would try pulling the exhaust where it meets up with the headers, remove any misc crap that is connected then try to get to the bolts that hold the transmission and engine together, disconnect engine mounts then yank it out...