[RESOLVED] Pulling out Motor!

[drivensolo88]

okay well im getting ready to pull out my motor and install a newer used one, my question is are there anythings i need to look out for that might give me some trouble while removing ?? and also do you think it would be easier to leave the transmission in when i install the new motor?? i have herd its a pain to get all the bolt holes lined up. thanks in advance, brandon

 

[shuedaman]

I just pulled my motor/trans from my 97 AWD. Had a little trouble with the transmission mount that is directly on top of the transmission and some trouble with the transfer case, but it was still easier than other cars i have worked on. I don't have any experience removing the engine without the transmission, but it is possible. Just make sure you label EVERYTHING, i did and it's making the reinstall very easy. Pictures are also very helpful, you can't take too many.

Good luck

 

[92AWDHX40]

If you can leave the transmission on when you put it into the car. Shuedman is right label
everything that you remove it will make it easier to put it back together.

 

[drivensolo88]

well the thing is the tranny is still good im just putting in a new motor but i was wondering if i should just pull the whole motor with tranny out or leave the tranny in and then bolt the new engine up to it while its still in the car.

 

[92AWDHX40]

pull it out at the same time . im doing the same thing right now. Then you can mount the tranny
to the block at the same time. Its much easier. hope this helps you.

 

[shuedaman]

I second that. Usually it's easier to pull and install the motor and transmission together. Much easier to line up bolts.

 

[drivensolo88]

thanks for the replys guys i think i will end up doing that it sounds like it makes sense btw do you have any pics of ## engine/engine bay as of now, i wish to see your progress and how long have you ben working on it?

 

[ROOKIE1]

I will have to disagree . If I did it again I would not have the tranny on when I installed . Very tight fitting .

 

[drivensolo88]

so then when you unbolted the motor from the tranny, the tranny just drops to the ground and you have to realign it with the new motor when you drop it in??

 

[ROOKIE1]

For me . I would pull it together . But I would put them in seperately . But that is me from my experience . I had problems aligning it with them connected for install .

 

[drivensolo88]

gotcha, yeah i will probly try to just leave the tranny in and then try to drop the new motor in and line it up but if i have problems then ill pull out the tranny and put them in together. Once i unbolt the tranny from the engine is the tranny gonna fall to the ground or will the driveshaft hold it in place?

 

[-LA-]

For me . I would pull it together . But I would put them in seperately . But that is me from my experience . I had problems aligning it with them connected for install .

+1 I find it alot eaiser to pull them togther, and putting them back in togther..

 

[ROOKIE1]

There is a mount on the tranny . But you will have a harder time leaving the tranny in . The shaft on the tranny will not allow the clearance to pull engine only . So like others have said , get masking tape and label everything .

 

[drivensolo88]

so i should pull out both, bolt my new motor to the tranny then put them back in together?

 

[ROOKIE1]

Yes that is easiest with a good lift . Mine was shit , so more difficulty .

 

[turboglenn]

It's much easier to put back in with the tranny on the motor ahead of time, by pulling them together in the beginning. But take somethings into consideration, in my garage i couldn't lift the hoist high enough to angle the motor and trans in right because of the beams and ducts in the ceiling that limited the movement of the cherry picker, so i pulled the trans off the motor an lifted the motor out by it's self.

Taking it out is the easy part either way you do it. It's getting the tranny back lined up and on the motor while it's in the car that's a PITA. It takes some shaking, cursing a little blood and holding your tongue just right while you push the tranny onto the motor with your feet while laying on your back, but it can be done

Taking the right side suspension off the front is a must to pull the tranny, but on a FWD i know for sure you dont' have to pull the driver side as you can pop the axle out when sliding trans off the motor.

Dont' forget to do a new timing belt, tensioner and pulley for the belt while you're in there and put it all together before you put the motor in and you'll save yourself some headaches and time later, especially it being your first DSM motor swap. It's also a good idea to put a new water pump on and a head gasket too.. and while you're putting on that head gasket a set of ARP head studs will help the new used motor hold boost a lot better once it's in

 

[jessesgsx]

Just like turboglenn said, it will take a little bit to get the engine/tranny back in. If you have 2 people guiding the engine/tranny back in and one person lowering the engine hoist, its usually not too hard at all. I would suggest having the Haynes repair manual handy.

 

[ROOKIE1]

He is awd . So the driver side axle is bolted to the block . Do not forget to unbolt the transfer case from the trans/engine .

 

[drivensolo88]

ok cool cool im taking notes right now thanks for the great responses. and its the AWD not FWD and i dont have a lift ...Sigh but i do have a pretty decent sized garage with a nice cherry picker so im hoping ill be ok, this is a pretty intimidating engine for my first swap but im determined to do it, and i was planing on replacing the head gasket and timing belt and all that jazz anyway while i had the motor out. and im going to have to remove my front axles and suspension in order to fit the tranny out?

 

[jessesgsx]

He is awd . So the driver side axle is bolted to the block . Do not forget to unbolt the transfer case from the trans/engine .

Just the intermediate shaft is bolted to the block. 2-14mm bolts and if you take the drivers side axle out, the intermediate shaft slides right out of the tranny.

 

[ROOKIE1]

Have you met your new friend yet ?

VFAQ.COM.

Removing Engine from the Car

 

[jessesgsx]

and im going to have to remove my front axles and suspension in order to fit the tranny out?

Its MUCH easier if you just remove the axles from the wheel hub and kinda let them lay off to the side. I also unbolt the 2 17mm bolts that hold the upper A-arm and then I can pull the whole suspension assembly to the side and leave it hang there. Hopefully you understand, easier to show you than to tell you.

 

[ROOKIE1]

Just the intermediate shaft is bolted to the block. 2-14mm bolts and if you take the drivers side axle out, the intermediate shaft slides right out of the tranny.

, correct , types before I thought . Nice backup .

 

[drivensolo88]

haha yeah ive ben reading the vfaq and some other post around the forums about this but i just wanna make sure im getting all the details right. and yeah everything is easier to show then tell haha to bad none of you guys are in maryland.

 

[ROOKIE1]

you want Maryland , search members , enter state and search . Around 1290 I believe .