Already pulled the engine out of my '88 RX7 NA convertible. Did it without pulling the transmission out attached to the engine.

After I'm done working on the motor, I'm wondering if it would be easier to reinstall with the trans bolted on.

What approach did each of you take removing/installing an engine?

I have a feeling that this is one of these "half a dozen of one; six of the other" type situation.

 

its easier removing the trans and motor together. Ive never done it but I removed the motor alone, but i can see putting it back together will be easier, no need to line up the dowel pins

 

Your exactly right. I've done it both ways. I bet most people have. I felt it was kind of easier attached since I didnt have to fight the tranny under the car afterwards.

 

I only took the engine out. It took me a while to get it to line up right, especially because I parked on a tiny incline working against me lol. If doing it again I would rather have the trans attached too.

 

Every time I've done it, I've pulled the tranny with the engine... I've always just used an overhead beam to winch up the engine and tranny, then push the car to where you need it and "hinge" the assembly into place. Works very well, I'm able to do the whole thing by myself that way.

 

+1 to both at once
its a bitch to line that tranny up while working under the car
much easier done when your not stuck on your back and have room to work

 

I've done it both ways, and pulling the engine & transmission together is easier. Getting that stubborn input shaft perfectly lined up can be a hassle even with the engine on a stand.

 

+2

If you have someone with you to tilt the engine, reasonably easy to do separate. BUT putting in together is the better choice give the option. Just be sure and remove the radiator first.

 

Looks like I am one of a few who prefers taking out only engine. I had hard time to re-install tranny when I replaced pilot bearing. Tranny mount bolts even lined up well. So I decided not to take out tranny when I rebuilt my engine. Took out rad and stood inside the bay when I removed/mounted the engine. Using adjustable hoist, it was easy to align the engine and tranny.

 

for removal...taking just the engine out is easier, for installation it's easier if you have them assembled.

or i've seen some people install them seperately. (engine, then transmission)

 

We did the motor and tranny together. ( beware of looseing all of the tranny oil when it is tilted at an angle)It was tough to line up the splines of the tranny to the drive shaft. But as the car was on jack stands you can rotate the drive shaft by moving the rear tire with your foot while using your hands to line it up to the tranny.

 

Done it both ways literally by my damned self more then 5 times either way. It's easy to remove both at once and easier to re-install both at once period...

~Mike..........

 

i found its very easey to have a jack under the tranny and have the motor mounts off. lower the engine in and adjust tranny/engine and wilgle together usally goes pretty quick done this a bunch way easeyer to leave the tranny in if its already bolted up. my 2c

 

i pulled my tranny out first then the engine after. when it came to installing i put the egine in first then the tranny. i thought i was gonna need help with it, but with the front end of the car about 3 ft off the ground and the engine tilted back. using two jacks i was able to bolt the tranny up to the engine within 45 mins by myself. i got really lucky though with matching up the teeth in the first try.