Pulling my first engine.
09-10-10, 12:01 AM
#1
Pulling my first engine.
Well after almost 20 years of owning a Rex, I'm finnally busting my engine pulling cherry. Looking for advice.
As of right now I have followed RotaryReserection(sp)'s instructions and have only the motor mounts, and Trans mounts to remove. Soooooo
1.Stupid hoist question. I have a harbourfreight 1 ton hoist to pull it, but I noticed that the damn hook doest reach back far enough to be centered over the "engine removal hooks" on the back of the UIM pass side and drivers side front of engine. It gets close but i need a few more inches (don't we all), but the damn thing hits the bumper. Do I have to pull it from the side?
2. What do I use to attach the "engine hooks" to the hoist? Do I NEED a leveler? or should I just get some hooks to attach to a length of heavy chain?
3. The car is a convertible. Should I remove the brace that is just behind the front subframe?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
As of right now I have followed RotaryReserection(sp)'s instructions and have only the motor mounts, and Trans mounts to remove. Soooooo
1.Stupid hoist question. I have a harbourfreight 1 ton hoist to pull it, but I noticed that the damn hook doest reach back far enough to be centered over the "engine removal hooks" on the back of the UIM pass side and drivers side front of engine. It gets close but i need a few more inches (don't we all), but the damn thing hits the bumper. Do I have to pull it from the side?
2. What do I use to attach the "engine hooks" to the hoist? Do I NEED a leveler? or should I just get some hooks to attach to a length of heavy chain?
3. The car is a convertible. Should I remove the brace that is just behind the front subframe?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
09-10-10, 12:11 AM
#2
When I pulled mine, I'd removed the radiator so there would be some "swing room". The engine isn't that heavy and if you have a couple of people to help you out, you can pull it with a couple of people holding it to keep if from swinging.
I grabbed some 1000lb test chain and a couple of 500lb test quick release clips, kinda like carabeaners (sp?). I just looped the chain over the main hook (mine had a mechanism to keep the chain from slipping, you may want to figure out something similar) and attached the clips through the chain links where it looked like the engine would stay level enough and hoisted it out. Worked fine for me.
This process might not work so well for you during install though.
I grabbed some 1000lb test chain and a couple of 500lb test quick release clips, kinda like carabeaners (sp?). I just looped the chain over the main hook (mine had a mechanism to keep the chain from slipping, you may want to figure out something similar) and attached the clips through the chain links where it looked like the engine would stay level enough and hoisted it out. Worked fine for me.
This process might not work so well for you during install though.
09-10-10, 12:12 AM
#3
Too Many Questions
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African Engineering and a can do attitude...
Mine is a hatch. Don't worry about the hammer, or oil cooler lines if you stare at this picture...
Who knew all the pictures I took from pulling my engine could be of service to someone else
P.S.
You can take the harness out still attached with the engine.
Make sure it is clear to lift!
Hope I helped!
09-10-10, 01:01 AM
#5
Yes, tranny is coming out attached.
Rad is out, wires are on top of engine, pulled through firewall. I beleive i have all the wires, tranny, starter, misc sensors.
I was thinking that the chains would work. But its just going to be me pulling it, (I have no friends)
but a leveler would be easier. Yes?
Rad is out, wires are on top of engine, pulled through firewall. I beleive i have all the wires, tranny, starter, misc sensors.
I was thinking that the chains would work. But its just going to be me pulling it, (I have no friends)
but a leveler would be easier. Yes?
09-10-10, 04:28 AM
#7
i will say that i had a leveler, and it helped immensely. i too did not have any friends available to help (funny how no one was around when i needed em). i say get or borrow a leveler (can you rent-a-tool form a nearby parts store?) and go SLOW and you should be fine.
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09-10-10, 06:12 AM
#8
Sir Jason the Awesome
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I've pulled tons of engines out of various cars and it seems like everytime I pull an engine I also pull the trans with it. Makes it easier to stab the trans back into place when I can articulate everything without hinder from the vehicle. Leveling devices are awesome, but i've almost always had to do without since I haven't bought one from one of our tool dealers. Oh, and don't forget, if you ask your friends to help, make sure you buy them a drink. lol.
I replaced the engine in my GXL like three months ago, and yesturday I just had motivation to start putting it back together, reason being is the intake manifold gasket was soooooo stuck to the manifold that even with an air powered gasket cleaner it took a half hour to cut through that caked crap. lol. Gotta love 22 year old gasket materal.
I replaced the engine in my GXL like three months ago, and yesturday I just had motivation to start putting it back together, reason being is the intake manifold gasket was soooooo stuck to the manifold that even with an air powered gasket cleaner it took a half hour to cut through that caked crap. lol. Gotta love 22 year old gasket materal.
09-10-10, 10:08 AM
#10
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I had the same or similar hoist. I took off the front right tire and scooted the engine hoist in from the side and it was long enough then. Use some sheets or something so you don't mess up your paint job with chains and random wires and parts. Friends are a plus, but mine didn't care to come help me either so if you're solo really just take your time and be patient, don't start just prying it out.
09-10-10, 11:55 AM
#11
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It seems to be the opposite for me I removed and install the engine 3 times this last install, but it was much easier without taking out the tranny. I'm not saying do it my way because your clearly stripping the car. Just throwing in my two cents lol. 
Have fun!!
Have fun!!
09-11-10, 02:52 AM
#16
It saves countless hours of contorting your hand elbow deep in road grime with a flashlight in your mouth.
09-11-10, 09:21 AM
#17
that will happen all the time
I used to work in the junkyard and pull out engines all the time from every kind of cars.
When I had to pull the engine out of mines, I called my friends over to help a little...they were just chilling and drinking. While I was pulling out my engine and trans all by myself LOL.
but for me, I like to work alone though
, even if it is pulling an engine out.Pulling out the harness with the engine is a time saver. I normally take off the upper manifold to get better vision of everything, I take off the oil cooler lines thats running to the block, and take the radiator out.
09-11-10, 09:59 AM
#18
I would not attempt pulling an engine and transmission for the first time, by yourself without a load leveler. That's just asking for problems. If you have tight clearance somewhere you can adjust the leveler and not smack into anything. Buy or otherwise acquire one. You'll thank me later.
09-11-10, 11:51 PM
#19
arghx, I agree totaly. I got one and it worked great! I cant imagine not having one.
This thread can be followed at my victory post
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/today-i-am-man-921819/
Thank you for all of your help
This thread can be followed at my victory post
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/today-i-am-man-921819/
Thank you for all of your help
09-13-10, 10:26 PM
#21
Retired Moderator, RIP
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Dude,you ask anyone that knows me.
I did a couple engine removals and installs all by my lonesome.(except the last Turbo swap,but I had it all ready to pull)
I can't walk half the time due to 3 Discs On top of Each other..SO If I can do it,.YOU CAN!
Get in,get Dirty,Get it done,,and GO Man,Go!!!
I did a couple engine removals and installs all by my lonesome.(except the last Turbo swap,but I had it all ready to pull)
I can't walk half the time due to 3 Discs On top of Each other..SO If I can do it,.YOU CAN!
Get in,get Dirty,Get it done,,and GO Man,Go!!!
09-14-10, 08:48 AM
#23
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https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...3&postcount=20
People always **** around with pulling off the intake and exhaust manifolds. This is a waste of time and leads to complications when setting the engine back up. (Vacuum leaks and forgotten connections, etc)
You can do it yourself, but it helps to have a friend.
Leveler helps out immensely, especially if you don't have a friend. It'll tilt the whole mess for you.
Pulling it with the transmission is about the same, except you don't pull the bell housing bolts, obviously.
The easiest way to pull one of these engines is like this:
Preliminary: Drain all coolant and oil to prevent making a mess on your garage floor.
1.) Remove the power steering pump and A/C compressor from the engine. Leave them in the engine bay off to the side. Maybe tie them up with rope or a hanger of some kind so they don't stress the hoses and wiring on them.
2.) In the passenger side foot area, under the carpet, you'll find the ECU. There are two harnesses that lead to the passenger side. There's another two connectors up in the kick panel. Unhook all of those plugs.
3.) You should be able to pull the harness through the firewall at the passenger side. (You'll see the wiring go through in the engine bay.)
4.) Do not pull off the manifolds from the engine. Disconnect the exhaust after the stock manifold.
5.) Jack up the car. Under the car, pull the starter. Remove all the bell housing bolts under there as well... Also pull the oil cooler lines. Finally remove the two nuts that hold the engine to the subframe.
6.) Set the car down. On the driver's side, disconnect the spark plug wires, fuel lines, and pull the heater hose from under the oil filter... Remove the wiring from the alternator and fish it towards the driver's side as well.
7.) Climb in the engine bay. Remove the rest of the bell housing bolts. Pull the radiator fan, shroud, and the radiator itself.
8.) You should now be ready to hook up the engine hoist. There's a hook point on the driver's side on the intake manifold and on the passenger's side toward the back of the engine. (I might have those reversed.)
Simply lift the engine up enough for the mounts to clear the subframe, then walk the hoist away from the front of the car. This is the fastest way to get the engine out of the car and gets you the most accessories. Engine will come out with everything you need to drop it in another car.
Anyone wanna fill in anything I mighta missed?
Preliminary: Drain all coolant and oil to prevent making a mess on your garage floor.
1.) Remove the power steering pump and A/C compressor from the engine. Leave them in the engine bay off to the side. Maybe tie them up with rope or a hanger of some kind so they don't stress the hoses and wiring on them.
2.) In the passenger side foot area, under the carpet, you'll find the ECU. There are two harnesses that lead to the passenger side. There's another two connectors up in the kick panel. Unhook all of those plugs.
3.) You should be able to pull the harness through the firewall at the passenger side. (You'll see the wiring go through in the engine bay.)
4.) Do not pull off the manifolds from the engine. Disconnect the exhaust after the stock manifold.
5.) Jack up the car. Under the car, pull the starter. Remove all the bell housing bolts under there as well... Also pull the oil cooler lines. Finally remove the two nuts that hold the engine to the subframe.
6.) Set the car down. On the driver's side, disconnect the spark plug wires, fuel lines, and pull the heater hose from under the oil filter... Remove the wiring from the alternator and fish it towards the driver's side as well.
7.) Climb in the engine bay. Remove the rest of the bell housing bolts. Pull the radiator fan, shroud, and the radiator itself.
8.) You should now be ready to hook up the engine hoist. There's a hook point on the driver's side on the intake manifold and on the passenger's side toward the back of the engine. (I might have those reversed.)
Simply lift the engine up enough for the mounts to clear the subframe, then walk the hoist away from the front of the car. This is the fastest way to get the engine out of the car and gets you the most accessories. Engine will come out with everything you need to drop it in another car.
Anyone wanna fill in anything I mighta missed?
You can do it yourself, but it helps to have a friend.
Leveler helps out immensely, especially if you don't have a friend. It'll tilt the whole mess for you.
Pulling it with the transmission is about the same, except you don't pull the bell housing bolts, obviously.
Last edited by Pele; 09-14-10 at 08:57 AM.
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