Engine Removal Process? Check over my steps if correct

[mitch32]

Hello,

So I'm removing my motor this weekend. If anyone has done it before, I'm sure there is a few that have, just briefly go over the steps and make sure I'm not missing anything. I'm planning on taking alot of pictures and doing a DIY guide after I'm done.

Also required tools, just basic stuff but lots of extensions? Obviously engine crane and stand.

The steps:
- Remove Power Steering/Alt/Ac Pumps and set to the side
- Unplug wires
- Take off downpipe
- Remove Intercooler Piping
- Attach engine to engine hoist
- remove the engine mounts
- remove front axles
- remove axle from transfer case to front diff
- undo tranny bolts
- engine out

Let me know
Thanks

[EtienneGignac]

That "unplug wires" step is pretty generic.....there's a lot of little stuff easy to forget like the power steering sensor or the ground from the body to the exhaust manifold heat shield.

[mitch32]

Yea, , I made that list quick. The wires I'm not worried about as much as the transmission stuff. I've read that its necessary to remove the tranny with the engine and others say its a pain and to separate the engine from tranny. I would rather not remove the tranny if I don't have to. My question now is, if I want to leave the tranny in do I have to remove the driveshaft to the rear diff, remove the transmission mount/brace, etc..? I've heard of people doing an engine removal in 5 hours, so I'm hoping its not too bad, keyword "hoping".

[mcfly]

just pull, anything you forgot you dont need anyways.

[mitch32]

just pull, anything you forgot you dont need anyways.

Yea I don't want to do that. I do have the manual, its pretty imformative, I just wanted a secondary view from gtr members. I figure as with most things with this car I go into something knowing 50% and when I'm done I can do it with my eyes closed. Hopefully I can see everything easily and disconnect what needs to be disconnected. There also seems to be tricks with these cars so I was hoping someone could imform me, tricks as in "do this before this" or "take this motor mount off first then slightly drop engine a bit and undo this bolt".

On a side note, if anyone in the area of Napierville (30 minutes from Montreal) has done the removal before and wants to help come by and I'll pay you a decent hourly wage for time you help me.

[cbileske]

Either pull the tranny off first then remove the engine, or try to remove the engine with the tranny attached.. If you leave the Tranny sitting in place, it will cause grief trying to remove the engine

[natetheguy]

definitely worth your while to remove the tranny before lifting the engine out.

[ChrisCheezer]

Draining all fluids: coolant, p/s, headlight fluid, engine oil.

I always take two days when doing a motor,
unbolt and unclip and drain everything one day. pull it out the next.

[greddytrustGTR]

u doing it in your garage or at like a shop where you have access to a hoist? seems to be easier for me to drop the motor and frame from the bottom than lift it out of the top.

[Shadao]

u doing it in your garage or at like a shop where you have access to a hoist? seems to be easier for me to drop the motor and frame from the bottom than lift it out of the top.

this is the easiest way... rockcrete found this out over a year ago with his targa project car... you can do a full engine swap in about 5 hours if you do it this way

[mitch32]

Draining all fluids: coolant, p/s, headlight fluid, engine oil.

I always take two days when doing a motor,
unbolt and unclip and drain everything one day. pull it out the next.

Yea I heard the headlight fluid is harder to remove then removing the engine . I don't think power steering fluid is necessary (although I will remove it, just to put in new fluid) as you can just unbolt the pump and move it to the side. Coolant is obviously necessary and removing the rad also is a good idea, so that it doesn't get damaged.

On a side note, unfourtanetly I don't have access to a lift. I took a look last night, I think it'll be best to drop the tranny first, then lift the motor. I wanted to leave the tranny in but I'll just drop it and make my lift easier in the long run. Plus I'll replace my syncro on 2nd, and inspect the gears!

[Rapier46]

I pulled my transmission off before i pulled my engine. makes it alot easier. I just went by the service manual.( i skipped afew little things though)


After i pulled it out I found the **** i didn't need to take off was:

Alternator connections
AC pump
Powersteering pump

Leave those 3 on. and the transmission if you feel like it.


It makes it a **** lot easier having some specialty flex tools too. especially for engine mounts.

These 1/4 inch drive things are a lifesaver:


and the 3/8s ones are perfect for tranny bolts and lots of stuff.


I have a tool allowance at work so i can buy the expensive good stuff lol but all you really need is a basic tool set. and a 24 mm socket with some leverage for the powersteering lines at the pump.

Note: make sure you drain the AC freon before you pull the lines off. outside preferably.

Note 2: For the passenger side front drive axle, its for 6 12mm bolts that hold it on and it just slides out of the way, for the drivers, you have to pujll the wheel off, lower balljoint, center drive axle nut(and something else i forgot maybe tie rod. not the brakes though), and its splined and inserted into the differatial. its hard as **** to get anything in there. i took a little impact chisel and litterally chiseled for half a second, and it popped right out with no damage.

Anything you need help with, pm me and ill keep and eye on this thread.
It sounds hard, but dont worry! it's really quite easy.

[NismoS-tune]

Why didn't you just unbolt the power steering pump and the AC compressor and swing them out of the way? No need to disconnect lines...

[archaeic_bloke]

ya he`s right, im pretty sure you can do a full swap with out draining any PS fluid or freon....

take some pics of your work!

[mitch32]

Hey, thanks for those tips.

I also heard swinging the AC/PS out of the way makes it easier and then you don't need to drain them that way.

I'm going to take some pics forsure, I was supposed to start this weekend but I had some other stuff to take care of, hopefully next weekend I'll start the process. I may also get Autoworx Canada to do the whole job, I'm still contemplating on whats a better option for me, either build it with a friend or pay a shop to do it. The shop estimated 40hours of labor at 60-65$/hour plus machining at ~600$ (balancing/boring/honing/blueprinting), so its actually not too bad.