Need motor/tranny swap advice (Dodge)

[Rich Stern]

My sister-in-law has a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan. Has about 140K miles. The transmission needs to be rebuilt. And, she's having overheating problems during warm weather, which has been an off-and-on problem that her mechanic hasn't been able to solve.



I'm wondering if it would pay to find a wrecked 1996 - 2000 Chrysler minivan with the same powertrain, and do a swap.



I know some of you have experience with motor swaps. Just wondering about the feasability and expense. She's been quoted $1500 for the tranny rebuild. Motor...don't know until it's properly diagnosed.

 

[Todd Z]

The most advice I can offer is that I believe everything is installed at the factory as one unit from underneath on the K frame. As far as compatibility hopefully someone else will chime in.



Todd Z

 

[Richard L]

Rich,

I had a 1996 Dodge Minivan with the 2.6 Litre Mitsubishi 4 cylinder engine and encountered a similar overheating problem.



She should have the system pressure tested. Mine started out as a leaking lower radiator hose way in the back of the engine compartment. That inital overheating blew a headgasket about 6 months later.



Before I took the engine apart I did not know if I had a cracked head, cracked block, or a bad head gasket. I had to get it fixed fast so I assumedd the worst and opted to buy a new head. I first looked for a rebuilt head from some local shops buy they all said that that engine was notorious for cracking heads and very few were cracked where they could be repaired.



So I purchased a new head from JC Whitney which cost about $500 and included a cam and all the valves, etc. After I took my old head off I found the head was fine and it was only a bad head gasket, but I put the new head on anyway.



I think 1995-1997 were the only years that had an optional 2.6 Mitsubishi engine. Later they went to all Chrysler made engines including a V6. In any case, if you have the Mitzibishi, there is little on no interchangability with other engines/transmission even withing the same model year. Mitsubishi' engines were very different than anything else they had. They did use the same Mitsubishi 2.6 in some little Dodge Ram pickups around that same time. The engine is identical to the one used in the minivans accept they were not traverse mounted in the truck since they were rear-wheel drive.



...Rich

 

[Kevin Palmer]

The swap itself is not a big deal. We have done it at our shop several times. I may even have what you need at the yard Rich. Confirm the engine size and the tranny, (3pd auto or 4 spd (AOD)).



The easiest way since your doing the entire thing is. Unplug and unbolt the wire-harness. There are some wires that go over the back side of the engine down to the tranny, make sure you get them..



Remove any other item that you may want to change or keep from damaging, like the radiator for example.



Do all of the bottom end work first, that way the engine/tranny/cradle are safely supported. Then lower the engine k-frame down onto a couple of inflated tires assuming you do not have the correct support tools.



There are I believe two mounts that run from the uni-body to the engine and or tranny. Unbolt these. Remove the calipers from the spindles and then unbolt the struts from the top. One thing to note, if it has ABS and or a bracket supporting the brake hose make sure you either unplug or unbolt the bracket.



Then, if it was on a lift, you simply pick the mini van up leaving the heart on the ground. Without a lift you may still be able to do it with some ingenuity. Front bumper type jack (professional type cover the entire front of the vehicle and will lift to like 48 inches).



Unless the radiator looks like brand new both internally and externally, I would replace it. It is one of the most common causes of engine failure the mini van ever had...



Let me know if there is other specific advice if you want it.