95 eclipse 420a engine removal

[brettk]

im a newbie to the forum and removing fwd motors but i was wondering how to remove the motor. i have started and think im almost there maybe missing a couple bell housing bolt but that is it. i was wondering if anyone could explain to me possibly with pictures what to do? anything helps thank you guys

 

[finesse49ers]

You're attempting to do this with or without the transmission attached?

I actually pulled a 420A with the transmission attached a couple of months ago. I was selling it and this is what I did: separated the downpipe from the exhaust manifold leaving the exhaust manifold bolted to the head, separated the power steering line by unbolting the nut on top, separated the A/C lines from the compressor leaving the compressor attached to the block. Then there's the usual unbolting the engine and transmission mounts, disconnecting the fuel lines, heater core coolant lines, radiator hoses and engine harness. If the transmission attached is an automatic you'll have to disconnect a few more lines located under the radiator which is minor work. If you're doing this with the transmission attached you also have to disconnect the shifter cables from the trans. I think that's it.

 

[Brian O Conner]

My best advise is this buy the Haynes manual for the Eclipses years 1995-2005. Also another great advise is join 2gnt it is a way better site for our cars and is more detailed than dsm tuners will ever be when it comes to our cars. First thing is making sure you have the equipment to do this and there is a lot of tools your going to need including a way to hoist the engine and transmission. There is a guy that has steps on mainstreet LA 420a just google that and there is a step by step process on 2GNT that will help you rebuild the engine also the haynes manual has that make sure you do a clean rebuild on whatever your trying to replace and do the torque specs with a torque wrench.

 

[ThunderChild]

removing the 420a w/o the trans is going to be nearly impossible. leave them joined, drop the subframe from the bottom and put the whole assembly on a furniture dolly from HF. then lift the front of the car (either with the engine lift or whatever your using) and wheel the assembly out. then u can separate the trans.

only other way would be to remove the trans first, then the engine. and that is still a pain in the a$$.

 

[Alan11]

Removing the engine with the transmission in the car is easier than Re-installing the engine with the transmission in. It is possible you just have to play with it and dont forget to loosen up the transsmission mounts, have a someone help you though.

And removing the transimssion means to buy new tranny oil.

 

[ThunderChild]

Removing the engine with the transmission in the car is easier than Re-installing the engine with the transmission in. It is possible you just have to play with it and dont forget to loosen up the transsmission mounts, have a someone help you though.

And removing the transimssion means to buy new tranny oil.

personally i would rather not "play" with it. dropping the subframe is far less time consuming and way less frusterating, especially for a first timer. but whatever suits your fancy. anything can be done with enough ingenuity, but it doesnt mean you should go trying to change the rod bearings through the exhaust, know what i mean?

 

[Alan11]

 

[Brian O Conner]

personally i would rather not "play" with it. dropping the subframe is far less time consuming and way less frusterating, especially for a first timer. but whatever suits your fancy. anything can be done with enough ingenuity, but it doesnt mean you should go trying to change the rod bearings through the exhaust, know what i mean?

I did it with the transmission still in the car but the correct way to do it is to take out the crossmember and other supporting mounts and drop both the tranny with the engine underneath the car with a hoist. I will say this though if your going to do something like this man I would definitely not be doing this if your plans involve the car to be a stocker. IMO

 

[ThunderChild]

awesome, if you took it out without removing trans, good on you. how long did that take you? like i said, didnt dispute that it couldnt be done, just said it was a PITA. it only takes about 45 min to 1.5 hours to pull the entire 420a drivetrain by dropping the subframe, and thats including suspension removal and beer breaks.

neway, good on you.

 

[bullettdsm]

And removing the transimssion means to buy new tranny oil.

So removing your fluid makes it no good? Um, no.

removing the 420a w/o the trans is going to be nearly impossible.

No. I have done it both ways. And I continue to do it both ways depending on how I feel at the time and exactly what I am doing. Many do the engine only, its more of a personal preference.

If you are doing just the engine be sure to remove the front pulley and unbolt the modular clutch from the flexplate by removing the 4 bolts that connect them (the modular clutch will end up staying in the bellhousing when you remove the bolts. If you scroll down on my write-up will see the 4 bolts I'm talking about; 2GNT.com - Removing_your_transmission or you can look in this write up to see the bolts isolated; 2GNT.com - Non_Modular_VS_Modular_Clutch ). I would recommend removing the alternator as well for more "wiggle room" (but not absolutely necessary).

If you are removing the engine and tranny together, I would recommend popping the axles the way I do it in this write-up; 2GNT.com - Changing_an_Axle_2 . Just don't bother with removing the axle nut or trying to remove the axle from the hub. Our axles are notorious for getting stuck in the hub. You can leave the axle in the hub and still pop it out of the tranny (but you will still want to pull the pulley and alternator).

As for other items; you can leave the intake manifold on, but I like to remove the exhaust mani because it makes more space and better access.

MB

 

[Alan11]

So removing your fluid makes it no good? Um, no.

I was just letting the OP know if he decides to remove the transmission as well. Of course new oil is always better.
I have done it both ways and like bullet said it is a personal preference.
Great info here!