Removing engine block. Which is the best way?

[jon_r]

Hi guy's, here's tonight's question!

The head is off the engine and we're trying to remove the block in the most economical way. We've loosened all the bellhousing bolts and started prising it apart.

We can get it this far before running out of room:

What is the best way to proceed?

1. Loosen the dogbone mount and the gearbox mount to hopefully move the gearbox far enough out the way to release the two studs holding it together

2. Remove the water pump and lower pulley to give us more room. (I'd say this is easier, but we wanted to build a complete engine off the car and drop it back in - including pulleys)

3. Both

Thanks chaps.

 

[mr.pink87]

best way: use a crane and lift box and block out of the bay. i guess you need to remove the subframe to take the gearbox out.

 

[Whiteley]

I'd vote bolting the gearbox back on and lifting the block and box out together. It'll be even more of a pain in the arse trying to get the (built up) engine back in with the gearbox in situ.

 

[Cro]

Another vote for the above, if the block is coming out anyway its so much easier taking the whole lot out. Lining up the clutch will be much easier too!

If it must be done then drop the subframe a bit and theres room through the passenger wheel arch

the bottom end is still heavy and akward enough so chances are a crane is going to need used anyway

 

[jon_r]

I was trying to avoid removing the gearbox, driveshafts etc etc - you're all saying there is no other way?

I think with the pulleys removed it'll come out with it in place, but I take on board the point about lining the clutch up.

Bugger.

 

[Whiteley]

Pulleys removed to get that block out, but then what about the new complete engine with pulleys fitted?

Drain the gearbox oil, take both shafts out and lift the lot out the top

 

[sideways danny]

pull the box out, you're making it harder by 50% to save yourself 10%

 

[jon_r]

So taking it all out through the top would mean the subframe could stay in place I assume?

 

[sideways danny]

yes

 

[mr.pink87]

yip, imo the easisest way. no hassle with the subframe but you should have a crane, box and engine are heavy as f**k. refitting is easy too. finish the engine, put the gearbox on and drop it into the bay. setting the timing etc. is far easier to do with the engine apart. do it!

 

[jon_r]

Only problem is we don't have access to a crane, so will have to look for alternative ways to complete the same task, unless I hire one for a few days I guess.

Thanks chaps.

 

[Fred@BTM]

no no no no no no no AND NO!

dude just give up and send it to me, i'll sort you out

 

[jon_r]

That kind of defeats the whole object of the project Fred. We'll get there eventually, there's no rush. Plus it's cheaper. lol.

 

[Fred@BTM]

your ye olde cliosport, therefore hence forth my good man you get discount (i'll only charge you £44.99 per hour + vat instead of the normal £45 )

call me and use/abuse me for information before you **** it up (again, sorry!)

first the cam **** up, now this, mechanics isn't your bag really mate

 

[jon_r]

I'm learning, i'm learning! I'll get there (eventually)!

I'm going to take the pulleys off of this block, get it out and then remove the box and shafts seperatly afterwards. Then i'll build up the new engine, attach the box to it and then hire a crane to put it all back in in one go.

I might well be on the phone at some point though. LOL

 

[Fred@BTM]

That block is about 80kg, hire a crane now (or buy one off evil bay)

take the box out with it MUCH easier

 

[Whiteley]

That kind of defeats the whole object of the project Fred. We'll get there eventually, there's no rush. Plus it's cheaper. lol.

Good on you. Get stuck in.

 

[jon_r]

I've been looking on ebay. Seem to be about £250, so i'll be hiring then!

 

[jon_r]

Thanks mate, going to be making plenty more mistakes along the way, but ho hum, gives these boy's something to do helping me sort it

 

[Fred@BTM]

you can borrow mine for free bt you'll need an estate or van

 

[jon_r]

It's a shame you're so far away Fred otherwise i'd take you up on that mate. Cheers though, it is appreciated.

A local company will do it for £30 a day, so hopefully one or two days will be fine.

 

[Fred@BTM]

2hours tops

 

[sideways danny]

I've been looking on ebay. Seem to be about £250, so i'll be hiring then!

you what?? for a crane?

I can barely find one for more than £140, and there's dozens on there for under £100

 

[jon_r]

I'm now typing in 'engine hoist' rather than 'engine crane' and it's a lot cheaper, so might keep an eye on a few and get one.

 

[ben_p]

I lifted my block out without a crane. You need to remove the lover gearbox sub frame mount and the three bolts holding the upper mount off.

Move the gearbox across and support it underneath.

Then just lift the block out

 

[jon_r]

Ben, is the lower subframe mount you speak of the dogbone mount?

I thought it might be possible to take it all out in bits - we're going to buy a hoist anyway - but I might give that a go this evening.

Thank you.

 

[Gray]

There is a lower, front mount on the gearbox, that is what Ben is referring to!

 

[jon_r]

Gotcha. Thanks.

I wish i'd taken the day off and spent the day under the car rather than sitting at a desk!

 

[ben_p]

Yeah the lower front one with the earth strap

 

[ben_p]

you will need to unbolt one side of the dogbone anyway to move the box. The engine is heavy but not that bad. Me and my mate just lifted it out.

 

[jon_r]

Cheers Ben. Yeah i've got a spare bottom end on the bench already so we've got an idea of the weight of the thing. There is two of us doing it so we'll be able to lift it out.

If this is sucessful then ill start to wonder whether it's possible to put the new engine in without removing the box! *pushing my luck*

 

[Adam.]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/270724090010

I've got one of those. It's brilliant. It's done quite a lot of engine conversions now. Well worth the money as it means you don't need to rush when hiring one etc.

Lifted everything from a 172 engine right up to a Golf mk4 V6 engine/gearbox.

 

[ben_p]

Cheers Ben. Yeah i've got a spare bottom end on the bench already so we've got an idea of the weight of the thing. There is two of us doing it so we'll be able to lift it out.

If this is sucessful then ill start to wonder whether it's possible to put the new engine in without removing the box! *pushing my luck*

That’s what I did. was pretty easy. Mind you..lifting it back in a slow controlled was is much harder than hauling the thing out, still doable though.

 

[ben_p]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/270724090010

I've got one of those. It's brilliant. It's done quite a lot of engine conversions now. Well worth the money as it means you don't need to rush when hiring one etc.

Lifted everything from a 172 engine right up to a Golf mk4 V6 engine/gearbox.

Thats cheap. It is much easier with a crane but not too hard without.

That place is about 5 miles from me

 

[jon_r]

Hi Fred:

Worked a treat Ben!