Replacing engine on 2000 Isuzu

[zerkss01]

Engine froze up after new transmission was replaced so I decided to put a new engine in. Found a place in Houston called Precision Engine that had a long block for $2200.00 plus shipping. (Expensive I know!!) This engine features new pistons and rings, complete gasket set, oil pump, valvetrain installed. The block is bored and honed, new cam bearings and freeze plugs installed. The heads are surfaced, all new guides and seals, then finished with a 3-angle valve job. Crankshafts are reground and micropolished to factory specs.

I was following the manual and it has been good so far. I was told by Precision Engine that the engine was set at TDC on cylinder one. I marked all the areas on the old engine and parts from the old one went on the new one quite well. I also got a gasket kit from Precision and it looks great so far. I dropped the new motor in this weekend and lined up the torque converter plate to the transmission.

The manual says the white marks on the converter plate MUST line up with the transmission. Since the new engine did not have any marks on it in regard to the torque converter plate I could only bolt it to the engine in a random fashion. When I dropped the engine in and started to bolt the plate to the transmission, I lined up the plate with the first hole and loosely put the first bolt in. I then rotated the engine to get the other five bolts in loosely and after all six where in I rotated the engine by hand all the way around again tighten each one to the proper ft pounds.

Any ideas on if I did anything wrong in regard to not having a white mark to line things up when I attached the transmission to the torque converter plate? Is there a reason that the white marks MUST LINE up or is that just to put things back on a regular repair so the timing is right?

I also am leery on setting the timing on the thing as I’m marked the engine when I got it from Precision and it appears cylinder one was at TDC. I know the CPU adjusts the timing and I have to start and stop the engine a few times disconnecting the battery each time to reset the CPU. I marked the plate and flywheel before I did anything on the new engine so it is at the position where it was sent to me.

I will add the flywheel mark on the front of the engine DOES NOT line up with the timing marks on the timing belt cover. I put the flywheel on so it fits onto the key but I don’t know if the key is the way I determine TDC. I don’t have a pressure gauge for the cylinders but if I need to get one and figure out TDC before I try to start this thing I will.

I don’t want to try and start this thing up to find out I messed up the new engine because alignment was not properly done.

Thanks,
Zerkss01
2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS
3.2 L V6 PFI DOHC 24V

[zerkss01]

I found out the idea behind mounting the torque converter plate to the transmission in the same exact holes is to maintain the harmonic balance or the two. I don’t know where exactly the plate was attached to the transmission with the old engine and I do not know what repercussions exist if I did not get the same mounting holes of the plate to the transmission.

I can imagine there is some balance between the two but I can only hope it is not detrimental to the operation if the same holes are not used. Any ideas anyone?

I also see that the timing is done by the PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE ) and the crankshaft indicator (Crank Shaft Position Sensor (CKP) ) as well. Does the engine have to be TDC before I try and start it for the first time? ( I did read when a new engine is installed leave out the spark plugs and disengage fuel system , crank it for a little bit so oil is distributed into engine. Put in spark plugs and engage fuel system then start the motor… just FYI)

I was also told a while back to adjust the timing after the initial start is to turn off motor, disconnect battery cables and wait a few minutes. This resets the PCM and the CPU. Then reconnect cables and restart the engine. After doing this a few times the timing is set. Anyone have any info on this as well?

Thanks,
Zerkss01