Cross post, 2.3 engine swap trouble
 

2003 Mazda 3..2.3 litre engine swap trouble
mchaloux
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2003 Mazda 3..2.3 litre engine swap trouble
#1
mchaloux's Avatarmchaloux , Yesterday 06:37 PM
My daughter's car was knocking ( big end con rod), decided to swap with a know good engine ( video proof was provided, reputable shop)

Car in Missouri, brought engine down from Canada, my sons in laws figured they could do swap. Didn't go good, broke and bent valves.

I am now in Missouri and have pulled the head. Daughters original head is in pretty good shape, engine was very hard to turn over, noticed flywheel difference, 1/4 between block edge to ring gear on non original. Original had 1/2 inch clearance.

Do I need to swap flywheels?, I suspect so.

Heads look identical.

Anything else I need to watch out for?

Thanks for reading and hopefully someone might be able to help me and my daughter out
Multi-Quote This Message

Did son's in law remove the vibration damper to install the engine from the top? Engine should be dropped from the bottom. Mazda does not use keyway's on their damper's or cams, if the bolt was pulled from the crank, that would cause the timing to jump and piston's kiss the valves. Inspect the pistons to assure they aren't damaged. Should be a simple swap otherwise. Special tools needed for resetting the engine timing

Dear Sparky. Thanks for the reply, they did use crank bolt to
 

Turn over engine. Looks as though the loosened crank bolt which consequently lost timing. Then used starter which broke 2 exhaust valve and bent some intake. Can I post pics here?

Other Mazda forums
 

Any other forums specific to the 2.3 out there?