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I recently acquired an engine that so far as I can tell, came from a low mileage 900SS/FE. The engine number checks with a 1998 model 900SS. The engine still has the external oil lines, so I think it must be an FE engine. I don't know that for sure, only the number begins with LC4 and the first digit after is an 8. It also has the V2 stamped in both heads and the oil cooler mounted above the horizontal head.
My main question is, are there major differences between the FE engine and the bog stock 900SS engine?
I ask because I got the engine in a plastic bin, which it was stored in for some time. I don't know how long, but it was more than a couple of years. Last night, when I removed the engine from the bin, I noticed that it was significantly lighter than the engine it is replacing. By significantly, I mean like 30lbs significant. That's not measured by anything but my back and biceps. I just know I was able to lift if far easier than the original engine.
My son suggested that it was because there was no oil in it, nor the clutch. Now, oil weighs 7.7 lbs per gallon, more or less. A clutch no more than a few pounds. At most, we're talking about 12lbs that is logically missing. I ain't the weakest guy around, but by no means am I the strongest and the new engine was fairly easy to lift. The old one, took both my son and me to lift onto my work bench. I could have hoisted the new one up there by myself. I might have hurt myself doing it, but it was seriously that much lighter.
I noted after I wheeled the engine to the back of my garage where my overhead work lights are, that there was a different color paint on the clutch housing. It is gray rather than silver like the rest of the engine. Also, it looked as though the alternator cover had been painted silver. As in, not consistent with the rest of the engine silver. Is it possible that the clutch housing and alternator cover are of a magnesium alloy? That's about the only way I can conceive there to be such a significant weight difference between the two. Any experiences with the FE engine are more than welcome to be added to this thread........sean
My main question is, are there major differences between the FE engine and the bog stock 900SS engine?
I ask because I got the engine in a plastic bin, which it was stored in for some time. I don't know how long, but it was more than a couple of years. Last night, when I removed the engine from the bin, I noticed that it was significantly lighter than the engine it is replacing. By significantly, I mean like 30lbs significant. That's not measured by anything but my back and biceps. I just know I was able to lift if far easier than the original engine.
My son suggested that it was because there was no oil in it, nor the clutch. Now, oil weighs 7.7 lbs per gallon, more or less. A clutch no more than a few pounds. At most, we're talking about 12lbs that is logically missing. I ain't the weakest guy around, but by no means am I the strongest and the new engine was fairly easy to lift. The old one, took both my son and me to lift onto my work bench. I could have hoisted the new one up there by myself. I might have hurt myself doing it, but it was seriously that much lighter.
I noted after I wheeled the engine to the back of my garage where my overhead work lights are, that there was a different color paint on the clutch housing. It is gray rather than silver like the rest of the engine. Also, it looked as though the alternator cover had been painted silver. As in, not consistent with the rest of the engine silver. Is it possible that the clutch housing and alternator cover are of a magnesium alloy? That's about the only way I can conceive there to be such a significant weight difference between the two. Any experiences with the FE engine are more than welcome to be added to this thread........sean