Engine Removal the easy
way. Page 1
Removing the bonnet, finding a place
to put it, getting people to help, and renting an engine hoist is a huge pain
when removing the engine the 'stupid' way. Experience the joy of making the
whole task much simpler by dropping it out through the bottom. This method has
worked wonderfully for me on all three occasions that I've had to remove it.
The first two times, I removed the front wheels and lowered the car down to
where the engine was resting on a piece of plywood supported by rollers (old
broomstick cut into lengths). I then raised the car away from the engine untill
I could roll the engine/transmission assembly out from the front. I used a jack
under each side of the front frame and raised it slowly, adding bricks under
each front wheel as an added precaution should either jack slip or collapse.
The method shown here is somewhat different in that I lowered the engine out
from the raised vehicle.
#1. Handy
stuff I've learnt over the years. Egg cartons are great for storing parts
and you can write the location on the carton. Put your shop manual in page
protectors.
(click on small images to see larger
ones)
#2.
I have a set of ramps (home-made from
old industrial shelving) which give 12 more inches of room. You can start with
the car on the ground but you'll have to get under it somehow to disconnect
stuff
#3.
The last time I had a new exhaust
put on I had a flange installed just rear of the transmission for just this
occassion.
#4.
Exhaust disconnected and tied out
of the way.
#5.
As I remove stuff I put the nuts and
bolts back into place to keep them from getting lost.
#6.
Label stuff and arrange it neatly. Makes finding things much easier.
#7.
Getting serious. I use bricks to support
the jack/engine at both the front
and rear. Whatever you use, make sure it's strong and stable.
#'s
8 & 9. A 4x4 fits perfectly on each side of the engine once the intake and
exhaust manifolds have been removed. They steady the engine while allowing enough
room to drop it. They rest on the torsion bars.
#10.
Shows the rear support.
#11.
You'll have to roll the car ahead an inch to disconnect the
drive shaft. I found that it kept getting hung up on various parts
on the rear of the transmission and finally stuck a piece of wood
between it and the transmission.
