Engine Removal - In Over My Head

[theomhd]

I started the process of pulling the engine today.

I have pretty much gutted the passenger side of the engine:

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I also pulled the radiator and disconnected the throttle cables.

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The radiator has a pretty thick layer of oil along the bottom 1/3 of the fins from the engine leaking oil.

I think next I'll be pulling the power steering pieces, AC, alternator, the vacuum lines and electrical on the drivers side of the bay, and then engine mounts and drive axles last before the engine can be lifted out.

I have never gone this deep into a car before so I'll be the first to admit I'm in way over my head and winging it as usual, but I'm having fun so hopefully all goes well

I'm going to replace the water pump, all the belts, all the vacuum hoses, the lifters, oil pan and oil pan gasket, and valve cover gasket while I have the engine out.

Any suggestions before I dig into it more this afternoon as far as plan of attack and items I should replace/check while I've got it out?

Wish me luck!

 

[theomhd]

Haven't spent as much time on this as I would like to have, but I'm making progress.

It's not nearly as terrible as I thought it was going to be. I need to unhook the motor mounts, AC, and tranny still to pull it out.

Any tips on the AC? It's fully pressurized obviously and I can't get the car to a dealership to drain the AC system properly. Any suggestions for the AC part of this?

Thanks for all the help so far everyone.

 

[19Eclipse90]

DON'T OPEN THE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM!

Leave the A/C lines hooked up, just unbolt the compressor from the engine (4 looong bolts, 12mm socket if I remember correctly) and try to tie the compressor securely out of the way. On top of the subframe by the firewall is ideal; snug against it works too. You don't have to tie it up, but if you don't, it is is more likely to get caught, yanked, and damaged, when pulling the engine out. Just be mindful of it back there when you pull the engine and when you put it back in.

 

[spawn87]

i just unpluged all the harness off the engine and tranny the axels and transfer case... once that was done i used an engine hoist with a leveler attached it, unhooked the mount bolts and came right up ... once engine is out you can take things apart and i like the cardboard idea but i just keep bolts on parts to not loose em or guess... i just undid one of the a/c lines next to the rad and had no issues just put a rag around it so it dont damage or stain anything around...

best thing any of us can do when doin this for first time is getting the autoparts 20.oo manual and USE IT

i just unpluged all the harness off the engine and tranny the axels and transfer case... once that was done i used an engine hoist with a leveler attached it, unhooked the mount bolts and came right up ... once engine is out you can take things apart and i like the cardboard idea but i just keep bolts on parts to not loose em or guess... i just undid one of the a/c lines next to the rad and had no issues just put a rag around it so it dont damage or stain anything around...

best thing any of us can do when doin this for first time is getting the autoparts 20.oo manual and USE IT