1988 Cr500 engine in a 1992 chassis

Make it work

As I recall, the '87-'01 engines have minor changes...?

Are here any CR500 forums?
The cylinders and heads went thru some changes: ports, squish area...etc. I believe the cases stayed virtually the same?

FFS, just do it.

It will bolt right in.

+ 1.

+ As everybody said. (it is a 500 !, and the 85-86 have some differences (rod, cylinder cooling, etc) and still bolt in, and the 87-2001 remained the same except some very minor changes like the low boy pipe you get with your rolling chassis).

Slides right in, except...
The cooling circuit is different, the water pump and right cooling hose will mess with the low boy pipe.
Can be fixed but needs quite some work, needs another water pump and machining/welding on the cylinder.

Correct, I didn't remember that. So the 88 engine looks a lot like the 85-86 (with a very fragile near the water pump magnesium right carter - there are some info on google to try to save it, because the carter is $$$$). I have just checked, and the cylinder/water pump changed in 89. It may not necessary to change everything, i bought one with a set up like that was running, but i didn't ride it and sold it later ; for a cleaner set up, the 87-88 cylinder must be rare on the market, so if it is in good condition a more recent cylinder may be found for actually a bit cheaper. Good luck !