I need to know the best approach. Does anyone have a how to?, Any helpful links?
Daniel
Pulling VG33e out of '99 Frontier 4x4 and swapping with a remanufactured engine
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Desert Rat
- Posts: 1642
- Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:57 am
- Car: 2014 370Z M6 Base Coupe
2017 Frontier 4.0
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Quad Cab 4x4
1977 F150 4x4 Shorty BUILT
2008 Boulevard C90T
Previous owner of a bunch of Nissans - Location: Mesa, AZ
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Re: Pulling VG33e out of '99 Frontier 4x4 and swapping with a r ... (draphaelc)
I haven't done a V6, but we did to the 4 banger on my '98 Frontier.
Remove the hood and find a place with a chain hoist for lifting the engine out and dropping the new one in. Many standard engine hoists might not go high enough to clear the radiator support.
Drain and remove the radiator. Disconnect and remove the air intake tube.Remove all the belts. Now remove the AC compressor and PS reservoir and zip tie them to the side. You should be able to leave everything connected (if it's the same as my 4 banger)Disconnect fuel lines, and start pulling vaccum lines that go from fender mounted smog accessories to the engine. Tag them all so you know where they reconnect.Start doing the same with wire connectors. The cool thing about Nissans is no two plugs are the same, which is handy when you start putting them back together.Remove the starter.Unbolt the exhaust from the manifolds.Remove the crank angle sensor (backside of the block, passenger side, ***** to get to). Zip tie it out of the way so it doesn't get crushed when installing the new motor.Now unbolt the engine from the transmission. This will be a chore, as those bolts up on top are going to be tough to get to.Get your chain hooked up to the engine block and draw up the slack.Unbolt the engine mounts from the frame.
Now the engine will need to come forward and then up to come out. Do this slowly and have a couple buddies there to watch everything, like wires that might have been missed, etc.
Once you have the engine out and the new long block sitting there, start moving all the missing pieces from your old engine to the new one. I'd recommend new plugs, cap, rotor, plug wires, all coolant hoses, belts, water pump, and thermostat. I'd also consider installing new engine mounts, as the 3.3 mounts are prone to cracking the rubber insulators. If you've got cracked exhaust manifolts, or if the old ones are rusted on badly, replace those too.
With some help, you can do this whole job in a weekend. I had several friends help with mine and we went turn key to turn key in 7 hours with the 4 cylinder.
Remove the hood and find a place with a chain hoist for lifting the engine out and dropping the new one in. Many standard engine hoists might not go high enough to clear the radiator support.
Drain and remove the radiator. Disconnect and remove the air intake tube.Remove all the belts. Now remove the AC compressor and PS reservoir and zip tie them to the side. You should be able to leave everything connected (if it's the same as my 4 banger)Disconnect fuel lines, and start pulling vaccum lines that go from fender mounted smog accessories to the engine. Tag them all so you know where they reconnect.Start doing the same with wire connectors. The cool thing about Nissans is no two plugs are the same, which is handy when you start putting them back together.Remove the starter.Unbolt the exhaust from the manifolds.Remove the crank angle sensor (backside of the block, passenger side, ***** to get to). Zip tie it out of the way so it doesn't get crushed when installing the new motor.Now unbolt the engine from the transmission. This will be a chore, as those bolts up on top are going to be tough to get to.Get your chain hooked up to the engine block and draw up the slack.Unbolt the engine mounts from the frame.
Now the engine will need to come forward and then up to come out. Do this slowly and have a couple buddies there to watch everything, like wires that might have been missed, etc.
Once you have the engine out and the new long block sitting there, start moving all the missing pieces from your old engine to the new one. I'd recommend new plugs, cap, rotor, plug wires, all coolant hoses, belts, water pump, and thermostat. I'd also consider installing new engine mounts, as the 3.3 mounts are prone to cracking the rubber insulators. If you've got cracked exhaust manifolts, or if the old ones are rusted on badly, replace those too.
With some help, you can do this whole job in a weekend. I had several friends help with mine and we went turn key to turn key in 7 hours with the 4 cylinder.