Hi, Has anyone successfully removed an NA engine leaving the transmission where it is (ie not unbolting it and moving it back)? Is it possible to just bring the engine forward and up? Is it possible to line up the shaft at the same time as the engine mounts when putting the engine back? Thanks
Ive done it a few times, na auto, tt auto and tt manual. I give the firewall a little kiss on the way in and out but get it done. undo the ps rack bolts might stop the kisses Edit - leaving the trans in the car? Would be alot easier to just pull the lot Ben
I just want to remove the engine on its own without having to disturb the transmission and driveshaft. Is this what you have done? Not quite sure how to remove both together as I hear that the chain attachment points are not up to the weight.
Every motor i have removed and fitted has been with the box attached. Lifting the rear of the car has high as i can get it helps
No, never with the trans in place. Might be more work but could be done. Undo the tail shafts center bearing and move the trans back till the dowls are free then pull motor. I remove the plenum and use 4 short bolts (still use the full thread in lower) and pull with the trans. Wouldnt be to hard or expensive to make some mounting brackets but up to you. ben
Cheers. Was earlier considering doing this way, but where do you attach the chains? Do you need to remove the steering? Are there any other particular things in the way? Do you need to drain the trans oil? If I unbolt my one piece driveshaft form the diff and slide it backwards out of the trans, does this mean you still need to drop the whole exhaust? Otherwise I would be really interested if it can be done without disturbing the trans at all.
Will be difficult because you'll have to pull the engine off the transmission input shaft, moving the gearbox back is basically the same as removing it just without lowering it to the ground. To get the engine forward off the input shaft you'll need to manage to get the engine mounts out while the engine is still attached to the gearbox. Even with the above I don't know whether or not there is actually space to pull the engine forward then up. You might find a new way to pull the engine but I'd say there's a reason I've never heard of doing it that way.
Trans in situ? - Yes! Hi Chev28, I assume you have a auto trans? I just did an engine swap in my TT auto. I left the trans in place supported on a jack.There is enough movement to rock the engine forward off the dowls and alignment spigot. I lifted the engine off the rear plenum support bracket bolts, these are at the engines balance point. I did not disconnect the steering shaft but you may find it easier to do this. Can't imagine why you would remove the plenum to pull the engine? I also fitted the replacement engine in the same manner and it went in supprisingly easily. I imagine if I can do this with a TT engine it should be easily achievable with an NA. Some of these photos may help. Flex plate bolts. Seperation! People seem to go to a lot of extra hassle removing things that are totally uneccessary. Keep it simple stupid!!
Definitely doable, its not easy regardless. Once your experienced though, engine out with box on is quicker IMHO. Only real extra work is the gearbox mounts, some fluid mess, and a bit of work disconnecting the shifter from the bodywork.
I'm going to have a closer look at this. Unfortunately I have a manual which may require the extra space for the clutch, etc but I will see when I try. Worst outcome it that it doesn't work and I move the transmission backwards anyway.
Front x member. Jinxed, so you don't have to drop the front x-member to do this? Most tech pages advise that you have to do this, that is why I avioded that method, but yea if you don't have to do that it would be pretty easy. Yet another one of those misconceptions that everyone just follows.
you dont have to drop it out completely, but loosening it off so that it sags a little certainly helps. your only removing the crossmember bolts so that it can drop down, then you push it back later. other than the bolts(and the engine mounts, and maybe some oil cooler lines), nothing gets removed from crossmember.
