Ok, I realize that this may not be all that interesting or exciting, but at least a few people have looked at this topic. Does anybody have any comments at all?

I stayed up until about 4am putting this page together - at least tell me the website sucks, or that I can't take pictures, or something.

Thanks,

Michael

 

Picture technical quality is good, I know it's a lot of effort to get this sort of page up and running, thanks for the effort.

 

Wow that looks like a royal PITA. What are you doing to the engine while you got it out?

 

I think it's very well done and helpful for those who haven't pulled an engine before. Some people might have a different approach, though, and most would more likely just drop the t-case (rather than disconnecting the drive shaft) and the tranny (guys with ABS brakes). It's also easier to disconnect the whole thermostat housing from the head (rather than every single line from the thermostat housing) and it's not really necessary to disconnect the power steering pump hoses (you can just lay the PW pump with the hoses attached aside). But, as I said, everyone has a different approach... Well done.

BTW, you tranny looks awesome, must be new or Team RIP rebuilt...

 

Bookmarked it for when I have to do it .

Good job .

 

spydered
Thank you.

Nate
It was/is a royal PITA. The engine is going in for a "budget" rebuild - 2G pistons, metal HG, ARP fasteners, that's about it.

Taboo
Thanks for your comments. This was my first time to remove an engine from any car (or really do much besides oil changes and brakes).

The thermostat housing definitely would have been easier to remove as one piece (but I'm replacing the thermostat and the coolant lines, so no harm done).

I also wish I hadn't took the power steering lines off, since I dumped that shit all over myself and the rest of the car.

I pulled the tranny with the engine because I didn't want to try to line it back up while lying on my back under the car. I figured it was easier to disconnect the axles than do that.

I believe I could have left the AC compressor on the block, too. I wish I had, cause it was a bitch to get out.

Quadcylla
Have fun - I don't want to do it again anytime soon.


Thanks for the comments guys, hopefully I'll have my engine back today. I'll go back through and update that site with all the shit I wish I hadn't done after I get it all running again. Putting it back in will point out my mistakes quite clearly, I think.

Michael

 

I pulled the tranny with the engine because I didn't want to try to line it back up while lying on my back under the car. I figured it was easier to disconnect the axles than do that.

I wish I could do that too, but I have ABS brakes and think it'd be a real bitch to pull the engine+tranny as one piece even with an engine leveler (+ I don't use a hoist)... I'll be doing my next engine swap some six months from now - and am not looking forward to it either, it's definitely a bunch of f*cking work...

 

Great job. That's really gonna come in handy next spring when I do it. Thanks!

 

BTW did you bother do get the A/C discharged? I'm wondering if it's really necessary before I pull the engine... How much does it cost to do?

 

I just got done removing two engines w/awd with trans, transfer case, thermostat housing and the power steering pump attached.
First one took me 5 1/2 hours, second one took me 4 hours and that car had ABS. Very easy and fast to do it this way, IMHO. I just let the rear driveshaft drop and when re-installing I just inserted the rear driveshaft at the appropriate moment.
I haven't done it any other way as of yet, but after having done it this way twice AND re-installing two engines in the same weekend, you'd be hard pressed to convince me into doing it any other way, hehe.

Re-installing and getting it running again took a little longer as I was replacing seals, gaskets, hoses, flushing fluids, swapping shifters and cables, etc.

 

Hey, that's a good news. I was always wondering if the tranny would clear the ABS. Is there any trick to it, Van? I'm not even so much concerned about pulling the engine with the tranny (I need to take it apart anyway) but dropping it in with the tranny installed. I can picture one needs to tilt the engine with the tranny a lot to clear the ABS or do you keep the engine/tranny assembly leveled and go around and the under the ABS? I'll definitely give it a shot...

 

The main thing is when removing it all you can just pull the rear engine mount center bolt. But when reinstalling it all together remove the mount from that "center" frame rail, there are three bolts, and put it together loosely on the engine. Then install the three bolts when you get it all back down.

It is virtually impossible to get that rear mount to line up and drop down right with it in halves AND get the trans to drop below the frame rail at the same time.

I pulled the abs "box" and the mounting bracket below it.

[Edited by Van on 10-06-2001 at 02:27 AM]

 

It was the ABS "box" I was most concerned about. Personally, I'd rather drop the tranny than having to remove the ABS box and bleed the brakes . Thanks for the info, though... As I said, everyone has a different approach...

 

This looks so much like my engine compartment that it is scary. Thanks for putting everything into pictures and words, I too am overwhelmed by the amount of work that I have left. One question: how did you get the heater hoses off of the throttle body that connect to the firewall? I am about to take a big f'n knife and cut them, but I am not looking forward to adding that to the budget. Keep up the good work, and good luck.

 

BTW, you tranny looks awesome, must be new or Team RIP rebuilt...

It has about 30 miles on it . . . I've spent a little over 5 grand so far, and I've only put 30 miles on the damn car. Jesus, I must be crazy.

think it'd be a real bitch to pull the engine+tranny as one piece even with an engine leveler (+ I don't use a hoist)...

I used an engine leveler and a hoist and, you're right, it was a bitch. I think getting it out took the two of us about an hour or two, 578 cuss words, 4 beers, and 7-8 cigarettes.

BTW did you bother do get the A/C discharged? I'm wondering if it's really necessary before I pull the engine... How much does it cost to do?

Yes, I did "have" it discharged - it was free, ya' know? You can try to take the compressor off without disconnecting the lines and shove it out of the way. I don't know if you'll have enough room to do that, however.

First one took me 5 1/2 hours, second one took me 4 hours

I wish I was that good - I think I spent about 30-40 hours pulling mine out. I work slow and careful, but damn, I spent almost 10 times as long as you (we're not worthy, we're not worthy).

This looks so much like my engine compartment that it is scary . . . One question: how did you get the heater hoses off of the throttle body that connect to the firewall?

As someone whose engine compartment still looks like it was raped, I feel your pain. I'm not sure what you mean by the heater hoses, though. I don't recall having any heater hoses on the throttle body. There were a few vacuum lines which I just pulled off, and a few coolant lines which I also just pulled off. I don't recall anything else being on there. If you can clarify / post a picture then me or someone else should be able to help you.


Thanks for the great responses guys. I picked up my engine Friday afternoon, and spent today putting together as much as I could. I'll be back at it early tomorrow morning. I was hoping to get the engine back into the car by tomorrow evening, but parts that I ordered (that should have been here Thursday or Friday) are still not here - dammit!

It'll probably be next weekend before I'm even able to get the engine back into the car, let alone think about starting the damn thing up. I'm having dreams about 4G63 power . . . one of these days.

Michael

 

*sob* To think I have to wait until next spring to even START taking out the engine... STUPID WINTER!!! But you bring me hockey, so I can't be mad at you BTW Micheal what are you doing with the car for the winter?

 

Micheal what are you doing with the car for the winter?

I was planning on driving it. Winter in Atlanta is like spring in Canada, I think (I've never been to Canada).

Michael