Whitey_1997TL

Hi I recently purchased a 1997 RL this weekend, previous owner says headgasket is blown(white smoke coming out of exhaust). I have been looking at the service manual and noticed that there is an area in the intake manifold where coolant runs, could the intake manifold gasket have gone? And is there a way I could check to see which would be bad, ex. compression check? All input greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jordan

Whitey_1997TL

After further thought over the week I have decided I will replace the motor for a lower mileage one (current one has 287000 miles). What maintenance should I perform on the replacement motor while it is out of the car, aside from the timing belt and water pump? This will be my first swap, so any tips and hints on removing it would be appreciated. I haven't been able to find any information on how to replace the motor aside from the service manual and it being done on legends.
Thanks in advance.

jmsmiff

Water pump, timing belt, all drive belts, upper and lower radiator hoses, radiator, type ii coolant, clean/replace egr valve and pipe, clean IM, replace rings on fuel injectors only use premium fuel!

99blackhatch

^^^
He summed it up nicely.

might be helpful...
Interchangeable parts between Legends and RL..
http://forums.acuralegend.org/3-5-sw...ts-t11288.html

Safety info about doing swaps in these cars...
http://forums.acuralegend.org/safety...ing-t6530.html

This is for swapping a 3.5RL engine into a 91-95 Legend, but since the engine bays are kind of the same, I figured this might help a little bit...
http://forums.acuralegend.org/3-5l-s...ion-t7602.html

Whitey_1997TL

Thankyou both for the tips and links. I wont necessarily be going at this right away, but all this info will definately come in handy when I do.
Just a few questions,
Do these transmissions use atf-z1 like the TLs do?
Would it be a bad idea to break loose the engine mounts and other parts now to make sure I dont have any trouble later on?

99blackhatch

Good preparation is always a good idea. Start hitting them with PB Blaster and let it soak in so when it comes time to break into it all, hopefully not much will be seized up.

As for the ATF... no clue. I'm about to start looking into that as well

Ken1997TL

Transmission is identical to the 1st gen 3.2 TL's.

Whitey_1997TL

Bought a replacement motor today with 100k for $300 plus tax has everything that would be on the motor except one exhaust manifold, alternator, ac compressor, and power steering pump.
This is going to be a fun project.

99blackhatch

ok... so you bought an engine for $300 and the car for how much?

Looks like you're following me in some ways on my first RL build. Congrats.

Whitey_1997TL

Paid $400 for the car plus approx. $200 to pick it up.

99blackhatch

Any pictures of this monster.

What are your plans for it? I love the facelift on the 99-04, but when i stop and look at my old '96 from time to time, i liked the front end on that one as well...

Lower it and wheels and tint can make HUGE difference.

Whitey_1997TL

I'll upload pics tonight after work. I don't have any special plans for this car. Just want to have a daily driver to replace my high mileage TL.

Whitey_1997TL

Here it is, currently the radiator, power steering pump, ac compressor and intake manifold are removed. Going to be replacing the parts jsmiff suggested, plus the right cv axle, valve cover gaskets, likely all the rotors. Going to have some patch work to do on the rear wheel wells.





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SeamusNH

If you need some parts, let me know. I parted out a 96 RL a few years ago and have some leftovers. Need to clean out the garage.... It's either that or it goes to the landfill... I am in NH as well, near Nashua...

99blackhatch

Reminds me of my old black one... what great and loyal cars these are.

I remember redoing the intake manifold as well. Not too difficult, but well worth it after all the work done to get it road legal.

Keep asking questions if you need help.

Whitey_1997TL

Thanks SeamusNH I'll let you know if I need anything. As far as used parts go the only things I need are some decent wheel wells to patch in.

99BlackHatch as far as the front motor mounts go, do I Ioosen the bolts that mount to the subframe or the ones visible from the wheelwell?

Thanks, Jordan

99blackhatch

Couldn't tell you honestly. I've never had to swap an engine on this chassis.

I'd imagine the links i posted might give some more insight...

Whitey_1997TL

Removed the motor and transmission tonight, regretfully I didn't remove the y-pipe due to not being able to undo the bolts and the exhaust caught on both motor mounts and ruined them, hopefully I can find some used ones for a decent price. Going to start transferring parts tomorrow night.

99blackhatch

Did the replacement motor come with mounts as well?

If not... go online and i think you can buy hardened mounts as well. If you're this far into it, might as well but new ones to ensure that everything is good and new too... and the transmission mount as well.

Just to give you peace of mind.

Whitey_1997TL

I'd go with new ones but the cheapest price I have found is $300 for just one mount. Thankfully there's some RLs nearby being parted out so I am going to contact a few see if they'll take $100 for a pair.

99blackhatch

Smart idea! what years are being parted out? I need to locate a 99-04 Acura grill.

Whitey_1997TL

Theres a 99 with a grill n the philadelphia craigslist site.

Whitey_1997TL

Well I have found a few parts cars but they are all 99-2004 and the last section of the part numbers for the mounts are different, but since the other parts that attach to the mounts are the same I am going to go ahead and assume that the 99 and up is either an improved part or just renumbered.

99blackhatch

I guess renumbered. Yeah. All the 99-04 grills should swap out

Whitey_1997TL

The motor has been installed as of Sunday afternoon and running. Replaced both main seals, filled the hydraulic motor mounts I ruined with poly urethane, changed the oil. Only things left to get the car back together is to put the left cv axle in and re attach the related components, and finish attaching vacuum lines.

I currently am having one issue with the motor, it sounds like one of the hydraulic vale tappets isn't filling with oil.