engine swap question
 

Hello to all,

This is my first thread, so please bear with me. What problems would I incur by swapping the engine from a 1986 xt600, into a 1990 xt600?
The only thing I have came up with is that the 1986 has the separate oil tank behind the left hand side panel and the 1990 keeps it's oil in the frame.
On the surface, that doesn't seem too scary to tackle. My other worries
would be in the engine/swingarm mount and other unknown obstacles. I have
a chance at purchasing an entire 1990 xt600 with a train wreck for an engine. I've been trying to weigh the pros and cons of this idea in my head.
I need advice in a big way! Would this be worth the trouble or should I just
keep riding the '86 as she was meant to be? There's not much wrong with
her, except the suspension could probably use a refresher. Any benefits?
I've never ridden a '90 xt, so I can't compare the two. Sorry for the length
of my thread! I will go now!

Engine Swap
 

Hi.
What are the engine numbers of the 2 engines?
Are they both electric start engines or is the earlier one kick only?
Kick only & electric (or kick & electric, like the 1VJ) are not easily interchangeable, due to different length output shafts.
Let me have the model type of the chassis you want to use & I'll tell you which engine is best to look out for - or how to build the best engine from the parts you already have.

Best wishes.
David Lambeth.

you may want to contact your Department of Motor Vehicles. The paper work required to swap engines in some states is staggering. California is the worst. I looked into buying an 86 engine to rebuild for my 84 as a stand by. DMV as much told me to not even try to sell it or register it with the new motor in place.


Good luck

engine swap
 

At this moment, I do not have the information readily available on the two
engines. The one that I currently have on my '86 model is a kickstart only,
as for the engine that is on the '90 model, the pictures that I have seen lead
me to believe it is an electric start only. After my original post, I realized
that I hadn't even considered the electrical issue, which may or may not be
an issue at all. The wiring harness on my '86 model is in great working order
except for the turn signals. As for the legality of this great undertaking, who
knows, the great state of North Carolina is as messed up as a mashed cat
when it comes to the laws of the land and the rights of its citizens. I once had a Suzuki DR 350 that I tried to put on the highway, but that was another crushed dream that I had. Hence the purchase of the XT 600. This
idea may not be as easy as once thought!

If you're going from an kick only model to an electric start *only* model, the ignition circuit will likely be different. Kick models are CDI, whereas electric models tend to be TCI - thus your ignition box and coil, and their wiring, will be different. Thing to look at is the coil : if the fly lead (the one that's not connected to the ignition box) is connected to earth, you have a CDI, if it's connected to the battery, you have a TCI. If you're transplanting the motor, transplant the wiring, ignition box *and coil* at the same time. Transplanting the coil is important, using the wrong coil for the box risks blowing both the coil and the box (and potentially the stator), all of which are expensive to replace.

Simon