Overheating is too bad, now swapping motor

[dvs_dsm]

I've tried just about everything I could, except swapping my water pump. I've giving in to it now. I believe that its the head gasket. Since I can't find anywhere that its leaking at, but I do know that its leaking. I have decided to swap my motor from my 92 GSX over to my new 91 Talon. I have about 24 hours to do this in and I'm hoping I can get it done. If anyone has any tips, they would be more than excepted I am in Fountain (CO Springs) so if anyone would like to stop by on Monday and give a hand or anything else I'd appreciate it. I won't be checking this too much since I'll be busy working on swapping the motors. Feel free to call to give advice or for directions. Thanks
-Jon
(719) 502-5613

[Jason]

Have you done a compression test? Leakdown test? Tested for evidence of combustion gases in the cooling system?

Autozone sells a tester with a blue fluid that is used to check for the presence of combustion gases.

If it's a head gasket as you suspect, why not just replace the head gasket?

Swapping a motor seems like an extreme measure to cure a problem such as this. (Maybe you were thinking of doing a motor swap anyway, sometimes all we need is a reason!) ;)

When I go fast, it still takes me at least a day and a half to complete a motor swap. It's just a ton of work.

I had a similar problem in my Talon some time ago. In my case, I'd slowly lose coolant over a long period of time, and usually just under boost. One morning on the way to Bandimere for an Import event it finally let go, and I overheated quickly. I limped it to Bandi, popped the valve cover off and Hal Landry and I overtorqued the head studs. (I had ARP's) the head gasket held and I ran mid 12's all day long. I tore the head off of it the following day, and sure enough, I had a small failure from #3 cylinder to a cooling passage.

I suspect I had the problem for a very long time, as I seemed to have a lot of cooling issues on the car. After the gasket swap, my issues went away.

Good luck, I hope you get it figured out!

[dvs_dsm]

I know it sounds like overkill to do the motor swap, but I feel more comfortable doing a motor swap than I do doing a head gasket. I know my other motor runs great up until I got hit. It may seem like alot of work, but I think there is actually less for me to screw up by doing it this way. If need be, I might take off tomorrow to try and finish it up, just don't tell my boss:D

[dvs_dsm]

Well I ran into a HUGE snag, there are locking lug nuts, but no key to take them off with. I'm now thinking I should just go with the head gasket.

[Jason]

Locking nuts on what?

Wheels?

[Brett_L]

i assume wheels since he said "locking LUG nuts"

[dvs_dsm]

yes it is on my wheels. I did get my lug nuts off on my drivers side front tire with a socket so I can at least get to my timing belt/water pump. I decided not to go with doing the head gasket or do the motor swap. I've talked to a couple of mechanics and they all have said the same thing, they all believe its my water pump thats shot. I have all the parts to fix my water pump including, timing belt, balance shaft belt, alternator and power steering belt. All I need now is someone to do this all for me. Since I go to work from 7-5 and school from 6-11 and this weekend I have to go to the National Guard, I'm hoping to find someone that can do it for me before this weekend. The only time I have is after 5 on Fri. to try to get it done before National Guard. I will hopefully have Sat and Sun night after Guard if its really necessary.

[Jason]

Update?

[dvs_dsm]

I got my water pump fixed, along with all the belts. The fins from the water pump were completely seperated from the shaft but still intact. I swapped out everything for my exhaust from my manifold to muffler and put new tires on it. Car runs great, but I'm leaking oil, I believe from my turbo oil return line. I'm in the process of installing a mini computer into my car for a datalogger, gps, dvd player, and whatever else I feel the need to use it for. A $2300 car has now turned into more of a $4000 car. but oh well, we live and learn.