Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 471
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From: Queens NY
Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know??
Ill be pulling the motor from my '86 within the next few weeks
What's the easiest way to pull the motor?
Are there any tips or tricks or little tidbits I should know beforehand?
What's the easiest way to pull the motor?
Are there any tips or tricks or little tidbits I should know beforehand?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 10
From: Nashville TN
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (CarAteMyMoney)
I put the front on jack stands, removed the left tire, and slid the engine hoist in from the side. Taking the hood off is a pain and this avoids that. Watch you window though!!! I did not pull my tranny, but I have a ZF6 and just disconnected the bellhousing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (CarAteMyMoney)
I definitely agree with kman.
Leave the hood on and pull from the side! You don't need the hassle major PITA of removing, moving around, and re-aligning.
Protect the windshield wiper motor also! Maybe place a plank or board of wood between it and the engine.
Drain as much of the coolant from the block as you can.
Have fun and take a break when you get flustered. Again, have fun with it. I think it's a fun experience anyways.
Leave the hood on and pull from the side! You don't need the hassle major PITA of removing, moving around, and re-aligning.
Protect the windshield wiper motor also! Maybe place a plank or board of wood between it and the engine.
Drain as much of the coolant from the block as you can.
Have fun and take a break when you get flustered. Again, have fun with it. I think it's a fun experience anyways.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 959
Likes: 1
From: Plano, Texas
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (CarAteMyMoney)
Just a couple things that I learned from my first time - if you choose not to pull the transmission at the same time (and there is no reason to do so), there are two plugs going to the transmission (at least on my '91 automatic transmission there are) that are difficult to see. When you jack the car up, look for them on the driver's side of the rear of the transmission. Be sure to unplug them before you drop the motor, and be sure the transmission is well supported.
Second, consider pulling the exhaust system. It makes it much easier to access the bell housing bolts if you do.
Third, take your time, and make copious notes. Finally, I agree with the above - there is no reason to remove the hood - just take the motor out the side.
Second, consider pulling the exhaust system. It makes it much easier to access the bell housing bolts if you do.
Third, take your time, and make copious notes. Finally, I agree with the above - there is no reason to remove the hood - just take the motor out the side.
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Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (StephensblackL98)
Third, take your time, and make copious notes.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Chicago ILL
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (CarAteMyMoney)
This may be too late but I suggest the following:
1. Take pics of the motor from many angles prior to disassembly. You WILL reference back to them many times.
2. Put bolts, nuts etc. in plastic baggies and mark them.
3. I always pull my distributor so that I have easy access to the top 2 bellhousing bolts.
4. Take your time!
Good luck!
1. Take pics of the motor from many angles prior to disassembly. You WILL reference back to them many times.
2. Put bolts, nuts etc. in plastic baggies and mark them.
3. I always pull my distributor so that I have easy access to the top 2 bellhousing bolts.
4. Take your time!
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, MI
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (atotalnincompoop)
pull the tranny with the motor and disconnect them once they are out, its a lot easier :yesnod:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (Jeff Hickman)
No need to pull the hood.
I've had my engine in and out a few times and never pulled the hood.
I also never pulled the trans with the engine either, but that's a personal preference thing.
Engine comes out and goes back in from the side. Leave the brackets off until you set the engine in place.
Jake
I've had my engine in and out a few times and never pulled the hood.
I also never pulled the trans with the engine either, but that's a personal preference thing.
Engine comes out and goes back in from the side. Leave the brackets off until you set the engine in place.
Jake
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (JAKE)
No need to pull the hood
Tip# 1 double your budget
Trick # 1, make dam sure you stick to your plan... or see Tip #1
Tip# 1 double your budget
Trick # 1, make dam sure you stick to your plan... or see Tip #1
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 935
Likes: 2
From: Beverly, NJ
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (CarAteMyMoney)
Deffinatly take your time, and allow extra money in case something goes wrong, or you find something that would be benificial to change since engine will be out. Also, no need to remove hood. Plenty of room to get out from the side. It should be easy to do. I have an 86 also, and it is so easy to work on. Good luck buddy.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (darkman5001)
Be patient. As soon as you start to actually lift out the engine all kinds of ground straps and hoses and wires will snake out of nowhere and attach themselves. :lol: You never get them all, it seems. Good luck. :seeya
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (CarAteMyMoney)
I dropped my tranny. Just made thigns easier, especially considering I had to tow the car home from the shop and let it sit.
Like everybody else said, do it from the drivers side, and take your time. It's good to have three people. One working the cherry picker, one on the passenger side of the car and one on the driver side to catch anything that may still be attached, and to keep the engine from wanting to turn to either direction.
Like everybody else said, do it from the drivers side, and take your time. It's good to have three people. One working the cherry picker, one on the passenger side of the car and one on the driver side to catch anything that may still be attached, and to keep the engine from wanting to turn to either direction.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Midland Texas
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (Jeffvette)
I pulled mine out of my 88 3 times in the last 2 months looking for an oil consumption problem. Anyway, leave the trans. in. Be sure and support it. The motor mounts and bolts are by far the most difficult part. Pull all the acessories and balancer, down to intake, engine and exhaust manafolds. Pull the (2) long motormount bolts leaving half the mounts bolted to the chassis. Lift on the front of the engine with a picker and chain. Pry between each of the mounts applying a little more pressure as it comes up untill they separate above the lower half. I do this just because the mounts to chassis bolts are so very difficult to reach. When installing pull the mounts from the chassis and put them back together and bolt the assembly to the engine. The engine will go in much easier, but you have to deal with the bolts I was discussing. But at least only once. I hope this helps... :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (autotech)
I considered doing it both ways, trans out or trans in.
I decided that disconnecting all the things needed to pull the engine with the trans still attached was just too much additional work.
The hardest part about leaving the trans in the car involves getting to the top two trans to block bolts which are a bear to reach without long extension(s), but once they're out, it's a piece of cake.
I've done it a few time by myself - both in an out - but it is easier and quicker if you have at least one other person to help guide the engine out and in.
Don't forget to remove the windshield wiper motor and it's a good idea to put a piece of plywood in from of the radiator to protect it from damage.
You can remove the crank pulley but you can leave the damper on until the engine is out.
Don't the fuel line nut (lower passenger side of block), ground wires (lower driver's side of block), power brake bracket (upper driver's side of block); ground wire (passenger side back of block).
I agree, you can triple check that all the wires and lines are disconnect, but there always seems to be one or more that gets missed. Raise the engine slowly and keep looking for the one(s) your missed.
Hope this helps.
Jake
I decided that disconnecting all the things needed to pull the engine with the trans still attached was just too much additional work.
The hardest part about leaving the trans in the car involves getting to the top two trans to block bolts which are a bear to reach without long extension(s), but once they're out, it's a piece of cake.
I've done it a few time by myself - both in an out - but it is easier and quicker if you have at least one other person to help guide the engine out and in.
Don't forget to remove the windshield wiper motor and it's a good idea to put a piece of plywood in from of the radiator to protect it from damage.
You can remove the crank pulley but you can leave the damper on until the engine is out.
Don't the fuel line nut (lower passenger side of block), ground wires (lower driver's side of block), power brake bracket (upper driver's side of block); ground wire (passenger side back of block).
I agree, you can triple check that all the wires and lines are disconnect, but there always seems to be one or more that gets missed. Raise the engine slowly and keep looking for the one(s) your missed.
Hope this helps.
Jake
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (autotech)
I pulled mine out of my 88 3 times in the last 2 months looking for an oil consumption problem. Anyway, leave the trans. in.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (JAKE)
A couple of quick, related questions for clarification. I know the hood doesn't have to come off. And I know that some prefer to pull the engine and trans as a unit. Question #1: Do the engine and trans come out together with the hood still on? It has been said by several, to have the hoist on the drivers side of the car. Question #2: Is it critical to pull from the left? Can anyone state why? Thanks, guys, and...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater OK, Fun City USA
Re: Pulling Engine soon.. What tips/tricks/advice do I need to know?? (CarAteMyMoney)
Leave the hood on, and completely remove the exhaust system. If you need to pull the trans also, it can come out with the engine if you take your time. You need to rent or buy the device that allows you to tilt the engine front to back, or come up with a way to tilt it otherwise. I did mine from the passenger side, because the driver’s side was not accessible. Take your time, take lots of pictures and be careful and all will go well.
By the way, you will get transmission fluid everywhere, if you remove them together and don't drain the transmission first!
By the way, you will get transmission fluid everywhere, if you remove them together and don't drain the transmission first!
