Used engine swap for those that have done it

Thinking of swapping in a used engine into my 2008 crewmax limited. The truck has about 400k on it. If I swap the used 5.7l in, are there any gremlins I should look out for?
Has anyone done this and can comment if they would do it again?
Thanks in advance.

 

The biggest issue is finding a quality used engine with legitimate mileage. I’ve known a few operators of scrap yards and anytime I’ve needed a used engine they were always suspiciously 80k miles.

The second issue is what kind of damage the engine sustained during the wreck. Things can get twisted up pretty good and cause very strange issues like unseen cracks in odd places. Subarus for instance are infamous for taking front end hits and then having the timing jump a tooth or having hairline cracks in the plastic timing gears that then grenade at an inopportune time. In addition sometime things stay running after front end impacts that drain the coolant out… bad news.

Thirdly, there’s the storage of said engine. A lot of times they sit outside uncovered and critters get into them or water gets into the cylinder bores. Bad news.

Fourth, there’s every last bit of plastic and rubber that disintegrates when you remove it. This gets expensive in a hurry.

Fifth, when you replace the engine sometimes the trans decides to grenade itself right after. Then what? At 400k it’s a good bet the trans is going to need a rebuild as well.

just some of my personal experience for you to chew on. Do with it as you wish, and good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

Thank you. I appreciate that. I’m wondering there are any electrical gremlins that come from engine swapping or ecu or and sensor issues.