Pre-Installation
FOR THE OVERALL HEALTH OF YOUR NEW CHOATE ENGINE, AND TO ASSIST US IN DIAGNOSING ANY WARRANTY ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE, THE FOLLOWING STEPS MUST BE FOLLOWED UPON INSTALLATION OF EVERY ENGINE PLATFORM. WE REQUEST FOR EVERY STEP, PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTATION OF ADHERENCE TO THIS INSTALLATION MANUAL BE RECORDED. WE WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO REGISTER YOUR WARRANTY.
When you first receive the engine:
- Carefully inspect the item for damage in transit. Any shipping damage should be noted on the shipping receipt before signing and returning it to the driver. Call immediately and we will give instructions.
- Inspect the item to ensure it is the same as the unit you’re replacing. It is the installer’s sole responsibility to verify fitment before attempting to install the item. Be sure to check if the engine is a manual or automatic transmission.
- Read all warning tags and any additional information or product bulletins supplied with the engine.
- Have the most recently updated shop manuals available for information on factory specifications (torque, timing, etc.)
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Find out what caused the old engine to fail. This is the most important step in pre-installation; address the issue so it does not cause the new engine to fail and void your warranty. (Document on Warranty Registration)
Check all your existing components now
- Clean any parts which are to be reused, including bolts.
- Clean and photograph exhaust and intake manifolds. These need to be clean of any rust or debris. Debris from the previous engine including piston, piston ring, valve, and valve seal material can be trapped in the intake manifold, intake plenum, and EGR system. This debris will be recycled into the new engine and will cause it to fail, voiding your warranty.
- Photograph new air filter and filter housing. These should also be clean and/or new.
- Photograph the seated torque converter in the transmission with a measurement of the bellhousing mounting surface of the transmission to the face of the converter. Incorrect installation of the torque converter will damage the transmission and will at the very least reduce the life of your new engine.
- Check all gasket and seal surfaces for damage. Clean the gasket mating surfaces of all parts being transferred from the old engine with a gasket scraper or razor blade.
DO NOT CLEAN ANY SURFACE WITH SURFACE CONDITIONING DISCS OR ABRASIVE PAD/ BRISTLE DEVICES as these can cause contamination to the new engine and/or damage the surfaces so they don’t seal (See “Surface Conditioning Discs warning”).
- Only use gasket adhesive where required by the gasket manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer.
The next step, the Installation Checklist, can be found here.
This information contains partial instructions and is intended to be a guide only.
