Engine Swap Questions and Progress (was "Rebirth!")

[htchevyii]

Glad to see you're making progress! It's really just a bunch of nuts & bolts, just take your time & with your expert help, you'll be back togeather in no time. The thing that always gets me is "one thing leads to another". Before I know it the whole car is in pieces!

[fiasco]

I'm starting to feel much more comfortable with the process of taking things apart. I told Ryan the other day that my biggest fear (more of a paranoia) is that one of the stands is going to fail while I'm under the car and the whole thing is going to fall down and crush me to death.

My only other fear is that folks are going to show up on Saturday, ready to work, and start looking everything over and say, "Uh oh. You don't have a whirlygig, and this whatsit that came off the old engine won't work on the new one. You can order one from Vicks, but we can't start any work until it gets here."

In know - keep a positive attitude. Nothing bad will happen, or at least anything bad that does happen won't really be that bad in the grand scheme of things.

-- se

[SpiderHead]

If something was forgotten, overlooked, or neglected... we will just work around it. Get all done that is possible on that day, call it a day, and you will be able to handle what ever that one small bit might have been when the bit arrives.

Chin up! and soldier on!



-Ryan

see you Saturday. I'm really looking forward to this.

[launieg]

Steve, you are going to have a great time and get lots done with this bunch! I am so impressed with the interest in helping you out. I wish I could be there.

By the way, I never have had much faith in jack stands. I satisfied my fears about falling cars by making wooden blocks from nailed-together (alternating at 90 degrees) 2x8s and using them as "jack stands". Two solid blocks each about 2 feet long and 18 inches wide is a nice feeling. Just make sure they are no higher than they are wide - preferably an even lower profile than that.

[ventura ace]

Steve,
I'm not sure where to find you. Directions? E-mail me at ventura_ace@juno.com if you prefer. What time are you opening up the garage door on Saturday?

Alvon

[fiasco]

Everyone who's coming Saturday, let me know and I will email or PM you directions. I also need a head count for steaks.

The garage door will open by 8, so feel free to get here whatever time is convenient for you.

Feel free to bring whatever tools you think are necessary. I have basic tools, but you should probably assume that I don't have anything special. For instance, I borrowed Reyy's hex key to get my oil drain plug out, and he's coming by today with an impact wrench to get pulleys off the front of the new engine.

-- se

[narfire]

Steaks!! wonder how long a drive from BC ? I'll bring the pepper.

Have fun guys,sounds like a fun day comming up. (take photos)

[emosfiat]

Good luck. I have R&R an engine and can be a challenge. Big pry bars to get off of the tranny shaft and bell housing pins. Next time the tranny comes with it. I would be careful about hoisting with chains on the pot metal manifolds. I have snapped one off before on an old engine. CRASH. No injury to the car, but smashed the oil pan.

[fiasco]

Ok - the starter is out (Mark, once the bolts were off, it came easily out the front). I think everything is disconnected, and the flywheel inspection cover is off. Best I can tell, the only things left to disconnect are the bell housing and the engine mount.

So - any advice on disconnecting from the bell housing? Do I just twist and shout with my U joint until I can get a socket on the bolts? When I get the fourth bolt out, is the tranny gonna fall on the floor (i.e. should I put the jack under it now)?

The confirmed list for Saturday stands as follows:
Ryan: confirmed (knows how to get here - let me know if you need a refresher)
Alvon: confirmed (directions on the way)
Ron: I'm pretty sure is coming, but give me a final thumbs up to be sure
Reyy: any chance you are going to stop by?

I'll be ready to go by 8 am but please feel free to run on your own schedule - shoot me a note as to what time you might expect to get here.

Anyone else that wants to come is welcome. Even if you just want to stand around and watch - it would be a great time to learn a thing or two, and I'd be glad to fire up steaks for any and all Fiaterians that can make it.

Way too many little faces in this post!

[lanciahf]

Only to be done when you have no help or hoist or have cabin fever.

1. Remove Head with manifolds intact (Disconnect Down pipe if connected)
2. Remove Drive Shaft
3. From Under Car - Remove Shifter from bottom of Shift Extension Housing (Cover has Three Bolts)
4. Loosen or Remove Motor Mount bolts
5. Remove Radiator & Center Radiator support bracket
6. Remove Alternator, Top Alternator bracket & Oil Filter Housing.
7. Tilt Block all the way back towards firewall ( Protect Firewall with Foam or towel)
8. From Under Car Remove Bell Housing Bolts, Slide tranny out (Hint Chest Press)
9. From Top of Car Tilt motor forward and remove Flywheel ( I use a air gun)
10. Remove Front Sway Bar
11. Block Fits in space between crossmember and front of car. ( You might have to remove the motor mounts brackets)
Use a jack to lower it down.
Just did this a month a go in sub freezing weather. Much Fun.

[manoa matt]

My prefered method of engine/tranny removal is:

Remove three bolts from flex joint and let drive shaft drop out of way, you will need to remove the driveshaft support fasteners and brackets.
Remove the center console and trans tunnel plate
Remove cylinder head off engine block.
Place a moveable floor jack under transmission and firm up.
Loosen the motor mount nuts a bit to allow for movement
Using the closed end of a box wrench loosten and remove the upper bellhousing to block bolts. With the angle of the wrench it should fit.
Loosten and remove the lower two bolts.
Not to worry, there are bushings that keep the bellhousing and block aligned.
Have one person manuver the block while another is under the car lowering and sliding the trans back off the input shaft.

The last part is the most crutial, you don't want to put stress on the input shaft or bang up the shifter lever and remote shifter extension housing.

Attach a chain/rope to the block and lift it out.

Some people lift out the engine and head attached at the same time. You must get at the upper bellhousing to block bolts from underneith with long extensions and a swivle joint. I don't have the patience and can never seam to create enough torque with all the extensions and such to remove the bolts. With the head off the bolts are at least visible and can be removed with a wrench. If they are stubborn, a large pipe will help, failing that, a rubber mallet. Just remember your are looking at them backwards so turning clockwise will loosen them.

[fiasco]

If I'm on my own, have a hoist, and want to go out the top...
And I don't want to remove the head...
And if I can get the bell housing bolts out with extensions and u-joint... (Matt, in your post, it sounds like removing the head is mostly to get at the bell housing bolts, true?)

Would I just support the trans with a jack under the bellhousing, take the 4 bolts out, disconnect the mounts and hoist it out? Or is there something else I will need to do to detach the engine from the trans? What is the purpose of dropping the drive shaft?

Not doubting anyone's advice - I just don't know anything so I'm trying to make sure I understand what I'm going to do and why before I do it.

Thanks!
-- se

[rlux4]

[fiasco]

Hit a milestone today. The engine is out!

[launieg]

Well done!