van engine swap

[75 C20]

im getting ready to take a 350 out of 95 chevy van 20 to repalce it with another 350.(the one thats in there has about 250,000 miles on it and is kinda past its prime )
ive never took an engine outta a van before- kinda looks like this could be interesting- but i was wondering if theres anything i should make sure i do, any tips or suggestions you guys might have??
i kno i am going to make sure to label all the wires and what not with tape on them so i kno where they go
will i have to worry about the air bag at all- the last thing i want to do is set that off
i m prety sure the air bag is off a big thick yellow wire if i remember correctly

[VileZambonie]

Well one thing you can do in case you forget where things go is either run a video cam or take several digital pix of everything as you go along.

[Captkaos]

Lots of pics (or video) and lots of labeling.

[Lt.Del]

Not sure 'bout the air bag...should be a fuse or something you can pull.

Get a bunch of ziplock bags and masking tape and sharpies. One bag for valve cover bolts, one bag for exhaust bolts, one bag for throttle linkages/cables, one bag for fan bolts, one bag for radiator bolts, one for bellhousing or transmission bolts, one for hood hinge bolts, one for power steering bolts, alt bolts.....etc. you get the idea.

I took more than 200 digital pics of every step along the way when I replaced my 350 with a 383 stroker in my 79 truck.  Many vacuum lines and junk on that ole truck. Never had a problem.  If i removed something, i took a picture of it.  Labeled the items in ziplock bags and sharpies.

If removing the distributor, on the good motor, note which cylinder the distributor is pointing to.  If you know the firing order of small blocks.....

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 and you know which cylinder the rotor points to, you don't have to label all the plug wires.

I'd replace the water pump while the motor is out.  They aren't expensive and the radiator and such wont be in the way while engine is out.

ensure power steering pump and alternator and stuff mount onto the newer engine the same as the old. 
 
Get new motor mount insulators. Ensure starter has same  bolt pattern. 






   

[75 C20]

well its getin closer to comin out- i'm planing on leavin the tranyy in the van and just pullin the engine out - ne reason y this is a bad idea/or i should do it antoehr way??
i plan on replacing- water pump, plugs, wires, engine mounts, and all vac lines- anytihng else i should replace when i stick antoehr engine into it??

ill post some pics of my progress soon

[Captkaos]

No problem with pulling the engine out alone.  Vans have a dog house you can remove to get to all the bellhousing bolts to align it back up.