First Gen 3.3 -> 3.5 transplant {56K BEWARE} - Page 6 - DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums - Dodge Intrepid, Concorde, 300m and Eagle Vision chat

***crypt keeper*** · 04-10-2012, 11:47 AM

Were your fans running?

**cdmccul** · 04-10-2012, 11:59 AM

Yup, spinning hard - but I will admit I don't know if both were running. No AC on, and it was cool outside - but running the cabin heat did help pull the temps down after the boil over and while nursing it to a parking lot...

Maybe I'll pull the transducer plug and see if both fans kick on.

***crypt keeper*** · 04-10-2012, 12:49 PM

Yep i would start with the fans.

Did all the fluid come out of the overflow tube?

**cdmccul** · 04-10-2012, 01:13 PM

apparently it was the overflow tubes.

***crypt keeper*** · 04-10-2012, 01:45 PM

Most of the time that means air is getting into the system so now that you have already replaced the cap if it starts coming out the tube again you probably have leak somewhere assuming both your fans are running.

I would get it up to temp and check the sides of the radiator and the coolant tank for cracks as well.

**cdmccul** · 04-10-2012, 01:49 PM

Good places to look there too - going to go on a 100 mile trip here shortly, that'll have it warmed up!

Yea, gonna have to get it warm and start going over it with a comb. I did see some smoke/steam coming out in front my headlights the other night, just little wisps, so I've got something leaking or burning - lifted the hood and saw nothing obvious. Radiator is a newer OEM unit, but still a good place to check.

**cdmccul** · 08-27-2012, 01:47 AM

Well, another appendix in the engine swap novel here - I finally got rid of what was left of the old 3.3 exhaust...

I bought a 1997 LHS with a mechanically damaged transmission (don't know how yet, but plan on dissecting it!), and in the process of stripping and gutting it, I pulled a complete exhaust system - All OEM, including the polished tips. I pulled it out as a complete assembly finding no damage to any of it.

Once free of the body of the car, I cut the two clamps at the center cat, and split the down pipes from the rest of the system (with a little heat from a bluewrench)

Here's what I had when I was done:

A scrap hauler came and got rid of the gutted shell for me, and I waited for the right time to swap my pipes... As luck would have it, that time was in the next three days... For you see, when I did my second swap, I had to shorten and modify the exhaust angle and location for the new 3.5 engine... and when I re-hung the exhaust, I had to patch in a sleeve to connect it.. WELL I made one sleeve too short, and with the wheel turned, and stepping on the gas just a touch too hard, I flexed the body enough to break the exhaust sleeve free. Did NOT sound good.

Anyway, here's some pictures of the work!

Drum Roll Please!!! Here's the new vanity plates! (and the original 3.3 exhaust outlet)

The only during work shot I got was of the underside of the front of the car... Phone batter was dead, as I'd taken too many other pictures around the shop I was in...

The old exhaust came out pretty nice - I finished splitting the down pipes from the welded assembly, utilizing my original splice sleeves. I then unbolted the down pipes from the manifolds, and then popped the hangers free from the rest of the pipes. Walked out the old stuff, and walked in the new stuff. Popped the hangers back in, then took the time to carefully fit the down pipes.

The end result - SWEET!

Wow, the car rides SO much "smoother" and quieter with the correct exhuast, as well as a completely sealed exhaust!

More to come on the facility I was working in... Fun Stuff!!!

**mnitetrain** · 08-28-2012, 09:40 AM

Nice Cean, feels good to be back doesn't it!!

**cdmccul** · 08-28-2012, 10:51 AM

Oddly there are a few other things the car isn't doing now that I have the correct exhaust on it... I used to have a really strange mis-fire under hard acceleration - as if when flooring it, I'd have full power up to about 4K, then one side would begin to pop funny, like one injector was shutting down or something... I'd have to take my foot out of it for a while, then it would come back to life. Doesn't do it now.

Also, I've not had to turn the key twice to start it since.

Neither of these should be affected by exhaust. ha!

Yes, it is good to be back.

EagleESI · 08-29-2012, 01:12 AM

3.3 had smaller exhaust system. 2in vs 2.5

**cdmccul** · 08-29-2012, 01:14 AM

Yup - but it wasn't consistent. It was more like hitting a rev limiter.

The not-starting-on-the-first-turn-of-the-key is back - so exhaust didn't fix (and it shouldn't have) that problem...

That problem has me annoyed!

95intrepid99kid · 09-03-2012, 06:13 PM

Hee hee hee, I just got your new plates. AWESOME just gave me the Idea for IMA 3.5!! Spent 5 days reading the page from post #1 to Post #86. Glad it is running good, and hope that it runs good for the rest of its days, while mine is desperately in need of a tune up

.

**cdmccul** · 09-06-2012, 01:12 AM

Oh yea... I forgot to announce my new plates... Yup, that's them!

**cdmccul** · 10-10-2012, 11:45 AM

Just a quick update, my overheat I was getting was due to a leaky lower intake manifold set - Changed that at Art's meet, and also got an interior make-over from Troy, Kyle's brother. He put in a new-to-me second gen carpet, and a new rear vent assembly for the center console.

Tune-up coming this weekend, with an oil change and new plugs. Shoot, I need to order a set of wires!

Pics coming soon enough.

***crypt keeper*** · 10-10-2012, 01:23 PM

Glad you got the overheat cleared up.

Nothing aggravates me more then an overheat issue well except for a no start lol.