Hello everyone,

I currently own a 1990 GS500E that is making a knocking noise that sounds like it's coming from the front of the engine. It does not go away after the engine warms and it speeds up as the revs go up. It sounds like it has bad connecting rod bearings, I'm basing this off a car I heard with the same thing. In anticipation of this being the case I want to look for a replacement engine but I don't know if these engines are all the same or if only certain model year engines will work. Can anyone shed any light on which engines are diect swaps?

Thanks

Pretty much the same from the beginning.  Differences are in the carbs.  '01 or '04 and up have the return on the throttle whereas the the ones previous did not.  SO, if you wanted a '05 engine sans carbs, and you use all of your existing controls and carbs, you can bolt it up and go.

But, you may encounter wiring differences that I am unaware of.  I have a '92 and a '04 harness to put together in to one here shortly so I will then know.   I have looked over them both and seen some small differences and need more info myself.

The 04 and later F models have wiring changes for the single ignition pick-up, the electric tach, and the throttle position sensor.  The  89-02 model engines would be a simplier change.

DON'T FORGET THE OIL COOLER!!  The engines are interchangeable from the standpoint of mounting and fitment, but there are some subtle differences as noted in the previous points.  But, you cannot forget about the oil cooler.  If you use a newer engine, you MUST use the oil cooler as well.

Just a reminder.

Thanks everyone, it looks like I will try to stick with 89-02 engines.

AFAIK the cooler was only on the faired models. I have a naked '06 and it never had a cooler.

with the push-pull throttle on the newer carbs, it makes no difference.  they will run just fine using only one cable, as long as u pick the right one