1989 Motor in a 2008 Engine

[bonham123]

I just purchased a 2008 GS500F with a bad engine and I am wondering if I could use a 1989 GS500 engine.
This is my first GS500 but a friend of mine has had a couple before. He said that they are basically the same engine besides the oil cooler.
Are they similar enough where they can be easily swapped?


I found some info mentioning a 97 motor can be easily used in a newer bike but nothing about motors that old.
Thanks,
Mike

[adidasguy]

Yes you can.

You will need to change the timing rotor and timing pickup - take the ones from your 08 and put them in the 89.
The old one has a mechanical tach, so cap that off.
Take the carb intake boots from your 08 engine and put them on the 89 so your newer carbs fit properly. Do put new o-rings on the carb boots.
The 89 has a single position neutral sensor. The 08 has 3 positions. It will be OK with the one position  but you should swap out the neutral sensor from your 08 into the 89. The ICU uses that and the throttle position sensor to adjust engine timing.

You will remove the oil cooler and the entire PAIR system (cap off the hoses from the carbs)

That's about it.

[bonham123]

Excellent! Seems pretty straight forward.
Thanks for the info!
Mike

[yamahonkawazuki]

Adidas a good friend of mine id take what he says as gospel. he knows his gs information. ( and can locate parts if needed.)  with my MMi training I can help if needed as well. But what addy said, will work. BTW a used childs mattress makes engine R&R  easy CL is your friend there.