Swapping the complete drive train

[verse]

I have three PAs parked in the back 40; one with deer damage and one PAU, one parts car.
I am thinking about putting together one good car.
Donor - 2001 PA; with HUD
Recipient - 1998 PAU
Parts car 1997 PA base.
I thought I would drop the entire engine cradle with struts, engine, tranny out of the 2001 and put it in the 1998. Same with the interior.
Has anyone done this before? Am I going to run into trouble with changes in cradle dimensions, sensor locations, computor changes? Will the options mix affect compatibility?
I got the 1998 for free; it has a load rattle when it runs. I haven't investigated it but I assume it is serious.
Any hints or tips would be helpful.

 

[bigsky]

I got the 1998 for free; it has a load rattle when it runs. I haven't investigated it but I assume it is serious.

The 1998 is an Ultra so it has a supercharger. When the coupler in the supercharger goes bad it is said to sound like marbles in a can. Could be an inexpensive fix.

 

[Dennis Edwin Fothergill]

it is called a coupler and is quite easy to change it will take the rattle right out of it!

 

[verse]

I'll have to take the belt off and try again then. It might all be good!

 

[verse]

I saw yesterday the SC belt is already off. The rattle is serious then.

 

[bigsky]

I saw yesterday the SC belt is already off. The rattle is serious then.

Dern... was hoping it was the supercharger...

 

[HotZ28]

Have you checked the harmonic balancer to see if you can move the outer ring with your hands.

 

[pila80]

It could very well be the balancer. I changed mine when HotZ28 mentioned it, and that's what it was. Several places on youtube with videos on chainging it, if you determine it's the noise source...