98 bottom end in 02

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:43 am

ok, i have been looking at a block now but it is out of a 98 neon, will it work in my 02? will it be a simple swap? will i need to just change sensors over? i thought the bottom ends were pritty much the same? i am running a first gen head on my car now... soooo help me out please... i am talking to a guy to ship it if i can get a DEFFENET answer from someone!!!!

thanks
dave

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:07 am

Yep, should bolt right in. If you were a year newer, then no. '96 through '02 are basically the same block/internals.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:48 am

will i have to change the sensors over?

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:20 pm

, let's see, the knock sensor should be the same, as well as the crank, and oil pressure. Are there any others I'm missing that mount in the block?

Maddog · Post by **Maddog** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:37 pm

Oil sender...and I think there is one other, but I'm drawing a blank...

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:59 pm

ok, so just to be safe switch all of them? lol

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:42 pm

As long as the block has the mounting points for the second gen mounts you should be fine. You only need to change the sensors if the plugs are different.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:58 pm

ok, thanks.... i will look at the pics in the for sale thread and check it out.... just did not want to waste my money if it was something that was not going to work.... odviously

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:18 pm

Danteneon wrote:As long as the block has the mounting points for the second gen mounts you should be fine. You only need to change the sensors if the plugs are different.

So, some of the blocks may not have the holes to attach the brackets?

_____________________________________________________

Wow, to my disappointment, searching pn#'s,

Part number 5018788AA was superceded by part number 5018804AA.

Which means they replaced the ECH short block assy with the ECB.

bastids.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:28 pm

I haven't looked at them side by side to confirm if all the mounting bosses are the same. From what I understand, they are supposed to be the same. But I can't say that from 1st hand experience.

The only place that really matters in your application is the passenger side. As long as the engine plate will bolt up you'll be fine.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 8:27 am

when u say engine plate do u mean mount for the lower motor mount?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:17 am

It is what the PS/AC belt tensioner is mounted to. Also known as the tensoiner plate. It supports the engine via a bolt through the frame accesssed from the wheel well. The PS pump also mounts to it.

This item:

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:06 am

i see... hmmm... that block is all tore down..... ut oh....... anyone know for sure? i will have to look closer i guess....

anyone have any suggestions on how to find out if they are the same?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:46 pm

I can't find anything other than the '95 block being different. The SOHC, and DOHC blocks even shared the same castings. I think at the most you would need to drill and tap a hole, the boss should be there. I imagine thay only made the '00-'05 mounting plate to fit the existing block from '99.

this is from Wiki, FWIW:

1995 model year engines had three features that set them apart from later model year engines. The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system utilized a plastic oil separator box that was vented directly to the block itself; the breather hose and PCV valve hoses attached to the box, and connected to the induction system. Later model year engines featured a PCV system that was molded to the cylinder head valve cover. The second feature was internal in nature - the crankshaft main bearings were keyed into the bedplate on the right rear of each transverse web. Later model years featured keys machined on the right front of each web. These considerations are important when considering a rebuild or replacement of this engine in a given vehicle. And the third feature would be a slightly bigger cam that was changed on 96 and up SOHC vehicles due to a rough idle when the A/C was on. Now this 95 cam is being sold by the dealer as a power upgrade for 96 and up SOHC engines but it can be easily found at a local auto recycler or salvage yard for a cheap price.

2002 and earlier model year engines featured a one-piece cast nodular iron crankshaft with counterweights present on either side of each crank pin. A crankshaft tone wheel was present between number 1 and number 2 connecting rod pins, and was machined such that a Hall-effect magnetic pickup mounted to the engine block could read the position of the crankshaft as it rotates during normal operation. 2003 and later model year engines switched to a two-piece crankshaft. The tone wheel was re-engineered to attach to the crankshaft using three bolts, had a tone pattern that was substantially different from previous model year engines, and was moved to the rear of the crankshaft. For this reason, these engines are generally not interchangeable between the 2002- and 2003+ model years.

hybrid-Srt2001 · Post by **hybrid-Srt2001** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:15 pm

i have a 98 block in my 01. they are all pretty much the same, nothing huge to worry about. just swap the sensors.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:48 pm

ok thanks for the info occasional demons

and hybrid, all u had to do was change sensors? the rest of the block nothing changed? because i am not running powersteering or ac, just the alternator. so all the tensioner assembly is there for is the upper motor mount to hook to..... if all the timing components are also interchangeable i should be set right???

hybrid-Srt2001 · Post by **hybrid-Srt2001** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:54 pm

yep i donbt run ps or ac either. i cut the whole tensioner part of the mm bracket. the only snag i had was making sure that the oil pump, timing tensioner and inner cover were the same year. the older blocks used a hydraulic tensioner, and the oil pump used with them doesn't work with the new liten's mechanical one.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:02 pm

i see...... so that could get expesive to change over everything huh??? here is the block i am looking at getting, if any of u were unsure...

viewtopic.php?t=43217

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:18 pm

Unless the older hyd. tensioners were different than the ones used in '01, I didn't have any trouble swapping to the litens. Unless they used oil pressure to keep the tension. That would be extremely risky at start up.

Even so, all you would need is a gasket to swap oil pumps.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:55 pm

alright, so everything would just be a direct swap over then? that is all i am really wondering, if i pull my block all down i will have everything excluding gaskets to change over right??? that is my biggest concern, with that block, if i get it, i will just have tear my block down, change over oil pump, get a gasket, and change the tensioner and i will be set right?????

sorry, i am a visual person.. and for the life of me i can not remember just a year ago when my timing cover was off.....

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 5:32 pm

Did the 1g block have a problem with the rear corner head bolt like the 420a dohc? I know the avenger/eclipse guys always had this problem.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:00 pm

I haven't heard of any problems in our motors.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:01 am

i think i may have my engine builder put the block together, i am not sure yet, but i am thinking that i could have him check my head and all of it while it was there, i am going to put a down payment on it tonight. as long as i hear back from the buyer.

TooManyNeons · Post by **TooManyNeons** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:53 pm

The bare blocks from 96 to 02 are the same. Most if not all block sensors from 98-02 are the same. I've swapped in numerous 00+ engines in first gens and it will work vice versa. Don't sweat it.

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:50 am

^ that is great to hear.... i am sure all of u can understand my concerns.... dont want to spend money and not have it be any good to me....

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:20 am

Completly understandable. We drive neons.