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2004 Pontiac Sunfire Engine Swap

August 20, 2007 on 9:24 pm | In General Nonsense |

Normally I’m not one to ask for help. I do what I can, when I can, for my friends but I try really hard to take care of myself. This weekend I cashed in all of my karma.

A lot of people contributed time, expense and effort to help me replace the engine in my car. As my brother put it, it was “a logistics nightmare.” Here’s a BIG Thank You to Mom, Larry, Rob, Mel, Melinda, Tracy, John, and especially “Dad” for all they did to help. I really appreciate it! Details are after the break.

I drive a lot. I live in Celebration, FL but my job is in west Tampa. It is 72 miles each way, 5 days a week. That’s about 3,000 miles a month. It’s a lot of gasoline, time and wear and tear on any car. Mine lasted for 92,500 miles. On my way home from work a couple weeks ago I noticed a rattle that kept getting louder. I called my brother and we determined that a connecting rod was knocking and required repair.

I parked the car and worked out a double-loaner deal so I could continue to commute to work until payday, when I could buy the “new” engine. Tracy’s dad John loaned her his car and I drove Tracy’s Honda for a couple of weeks.

I couldn’t do the work myself—I’m a computer guy—my brother would help. Unfortunately for me, he lives in North Carolina. I also don’t have a garage. We will meet at my mom’s in Switzerland, Florida. That’s 2.5 hours away from me but about 7 for Rob.

After some joint research, my brother and I decided the new engine would have to come from a salvage yard. We checked around and the best price between Orlando and NC was about 10 miles from Rob’s house. I put money in his account and he bought the engine up there. Mel’s sister Melinda drove 3 hours from SC to NC to loan Rob her Chevy Trailblazer to carry the engine. Then the three of them went back to SC where Mel remained to tote her sister’s family around for the weekend.

Meanwhile, I had to get the car up there so we could work on it. My mom and Larry borrowed a tow dolly from Dad and drove it down to me. We hooked up the Sunfire and drove back. We arrived with the car in tow just minutes behind Rob.

“Dad” is Rob’s friend Big Rob’s Dad. Everyone just calls him Dad. He lives just a short drive from my parent’s house in Switzerland. Dad provided the tow dolly, the space to work, lots of tools, hospitality and help wrenching on the car. Without his help this project would have been a lot more complicated and expensive.

If you click through the picture above it will take you to the photo album of the swap itself. Thanks again everyone!