Nissan Quest V6 to 2.4 ltr 4 cylinder swap

[Scraped Knuckles]

My mother owns a 94 Mercury Villager with the weak 3.0 ltr V6. The engine was rebuilt (no warranty) 50K km's before purchase and two weaks later the crankshaft broke and the engine is toast. I don't want to swap in another V6 either 3.3 or 3.0 SOHC or DOHC engine. They aren't worth the money people are asking around here and they have high miles. One auto recycler said he tested (visual and leakdown test) 11 engines for me and they're all junk and he wouldn't be able to sell one with a warranty. He then offered to give me a deal on a good 2.4 ltr engine he said would bolt right up to the transmission and he has done it before on his delivery truck. I said it wouldn't work as it's for a minivan not a pick up. He said he's done the swap into a Villager already and his motor mounts won't break like the V6 ones. His business is an hours drive from me so I declined for now. But since I still haven't found a good engine and have been looking since september should I have the guys shop do it or swap it in myself? Anyone ever swapped in a 4 banger into their Quest/Villager? And which one from which donor car/truck? I know about the computer, wiring harness,oil pan etc.. there's lots of rusty 240's and Axxesses right now.

[drdisque]

You are right, that engine won't work properly in a villager.

[tempfixit]

Did the crankshaft break where the harmonic balancer is bolted on? Why is the engine toast, did the cranshaft damage the block? Have you considered replacing crankshaft?

IF the crank broke at the snout area is probably caused by overtightening the drive belst causing undo pressure on crank.

[Scraped Knuckles]

The crankshaft broke behind the timing belt pulley and it's an interference motor so there's valve and maybe piston damage. The last owner had to rebuild the engine after the timing belt broke and he paid $1200. I just thought if a cheaper more fuel effecient engine could be swapped in it might be worth my while. I heard from a second source that the 2.4 Nissan Stanza would make the best donor car for the swap and I've seen a few for $200-$400 asking price. They're rusty but usually low miles compared Villager/Quest or Maxima's. I could swap the engine and transaxle together and use both wiring harnesses and the donor cars ECU. The problem with the Stanza/Axxess is the lack info for part interchangeability reguarding transaxle driveshafts, and the Villager has ABS and airbags where as the Stanza doesn't and I haven't found any spec sheets for newer Axxess models. If I swap in an engine that wasn't available in that model and year it would only have to meet 1981 emission standards (loophole was to allow people with V8 swaps to keep there cars when emission testing was introduced here). Unless the 4 cylinder swap is possible and not too expensive it's a one way trip to the crusher for the old van.

[tempfixit]

The 3.0 Villager/Quest engine is a NON_INTERENCE engine.

The 93-95 engine had a smaller size crankshaft snout which was prone to break from overtightening of drive belts and incorrect tension of timing belt. The 96 and newer have a thicker size crankshaft snout. I would consider installing a 96 crank. The engine can be removed from the top.

Not sure about the swap, never done it.

Sending you a PM.