Engine swap 1.2 16v clio

[Jess&Chloe]

Thinking of doing an engine swap on my 1.2 16v Clio campus, it's on 123500 miles, head gasket was going so steel seal was used, so thinking when the steel seal gives up it would be cheaper to replace the engine than buy another car with the limited funds we have.
Found some low mileage engines for between £100-£200.
how easy is it to do?
Or any rough idea on price?
Steel seal was only done couple of months ago so I'm hoping I have a few months before it gives up!

 

[Budgie]

days work if you're handy with the spanners and have a crane.

 

[STEVE.M]

Thinking of doing an engine swap on my 1.2 16v Clio campus, it's on 123500 miles, head gasket was going so steel seal was used, so thinking when the steel seal gives up it would be cheaper to replace the engine than buy another car with the limited funds we have.
Found some low mileage engines for between £100-£200.
how easy is it to do?
Or any rough idea on price?
Steel seal was only done couple of months ago so I'm hoping I have a few months before it gives up!

Fairly straight forward if you have a hoist.
I did one with @M90SR a while back.
There is some variation in the pipe going to the water pump, but they are interchangeable.
Check the valve clearances when you swap it, as they are manually adjusted, not hydraulic, but often neglected.

 

[Jess&Chloe]

Planning on doing a straight swap although my partners getting all excited at the prospect of a 2l in it instead! I'm not so fussed, just want a working car.
Hoping I can rent a hoist from a friend and do it myself, although it's been a while since I've done anything that big.
Might get the father in law to help. Although last time he couldn't be bothered so paid a garage ha.

 

[M90SR]

When I done mine the ball aches was separating the exhaust manifold from the CAT. Just prepare for some PITA bolts.
Took a couple of days, simply due to daylight, parts arriving, stripped bolts, fluids, and I did my steering rack so spent half a day with a dropped subframe. I am curious when you take of the bumper if you could take pics of where the plastic bits go because I completely forgot.

 

[Typhoon]

Planning on doing a straight swap although my partners getting all excited at the prospect of a 2l in it instead! I'm not so fussed, just want a working car.
Hoping I can rent a hoist from a friend and do it myself, although it's been a while since I've done anything that big.
Might get the father in law to help. Although last time he couldn't be bothered so paid a garage ha.

Literally no point in sticking the 2L F4R in there.

 

[Budgie]

Literally no point in sticking the 2L F4R in there.

This. MUCH better all round to buy a 172/182 if that's your plan.

 

[Jess&Chloe]

So sourced an engine, somewhere to do the work and a mechanic friend to help me, he recons day and half maximum so fingers crossed all go now.
That's what I said to my partner, waste of time, may aswell just buy another more powerful car or do it properly but money money money and he's not exactly any use with tools.
M90SR I'll try remember! I still have a random square piece of plastic floating around in mine from the alternator belt faf. No clue where I took it off from so it now lives in the boot

 

[Jess&Chloe]

So engine swapped and yesterday was running lovely. however this morning it's struggling to idle and struggling struggling for power when driven. Seems to be a distinctive popping/chugging sound on idle some of the time. After about 20 mins of driving it seems to level out and run normally.
Also engine management light is on, and flashes when the engine is chugging, as is handbrake and abs lights but they only come on intermittently.
When I started and drove it this morning there was lots of white exhaust fumes and that eggy sulphur smell and a bit later the coil pack light flashed on and car lost pretty much all power, switched it off and on and it seemed OK ( just a bit chuggy).
I'm thinking coil pack but could it be water in the engine/electrics? It absolutely pissed it down for the 3 days the work was being done.thoughts anyone?