Engine Removal

[Djaniero]

Morning lads,

I need to remove the engine out of my GT in prep for a 5e conversion.
I don’t have access to a crane so figured it would be best to remove it from underneath.
I’ve had a look through so old threads but just trying to figure out the best way to remove it from underneath i.e best jacking point to get the car high enough off the ground?

I have already removed drained all the fluids, removed the head, and turbo kit etc. So just need to disconnect the gearbox/clutch levers, unplug the loom and remove the bottom.Also would I need to remove the drive shafts completely or just at the gearbox side?

Thanks for any info.

 

[SKINY]

When I was looking at cranes online I kept coming across them for Hire Bud, think it's around 20£ a day roughly, might be an option.
I'm gonna either use a crane or my pulley block on a beam in the garage.
Used to drop celica engines out the bottom, a good low profile skate with a tyre on it and drop it down onto it, then they normally got jacked at front sill point until the engine could be moved out, sometimes I'd lay the engine on its back or front so we didn't need to lift the car so high.
Starlets are that light you could drop the engine and get a few strong Mates and just lift the front up and push it back, or good olde fashion scaffolding pole, few Mates and lift it out

When I got the Nur Spec system of Rab the car needed lifted to remove it, it had no engine or interior and the rear end was sitting on the rear jack points, front end on the ground. I was able to stand in the engine bay and lift the front end right up while Rab pulled the exhaust out he was baffled how I could lift it being a shade over 8 Stone at the time but they are bean tins, think mine was 820kg last time I weighed it.
Will be paying attention to this thread.

 

[Jay]

You can probably ignore me, I'm an awkward bastard who usually takes them out from above lol.

Will have to change that approach when it comes to my auto as the box weighs as much as the engine. Plan of attack there is;

Unplug all wiring and pull looms out of the way
Remove both driveshafts or at least disconnect them at the gearbox end and pull them out of the way
Remove front exhaust section
Remove radiator
Disconnect all cables (throttle/gearbox/etc)
Disconnect all pipes (fuel/coolant/air)
Release engine and gearbox complete down onto floor/skate then raise the shell up and slide out under the front panel. I'll use a bit of carpet that'll slide on the smooth floor.

I've an engine support bar that'll let me control the drop onto the floor. Be very careful if you are just letting it drop, it'll need lowered in a controlled way. Don't fancy any trips to A&E!

 

[gorganl2000]

we've done it like Jay explained above, removing it from the top/above
however, additionally, we disconnect the engine from the gearbox and remove all the ancillary stuff (PS pump, turbo, intake/exhaust manifolds, alternator, ac pump, etc.) to make it lighter and easier to maneuver, before lifting out the block with a crane or by hand with a few strong friends, pipe, chain/rope

 

[dac69er]

I drop it out the bottom onto a custom trolley I made. It's not particularly low though so it does get a bit borderline getting it out.

If you have the head removed, that should buy you a good bit of clearance. I would recommend borrowing or hiring a crane if you can though. Makes things a lot safer and easier. If you need to rock the car a bit to get it round something you don't have the risk of it falling of a jack or something.

Take both driveshafts completely out, they will just get in the way otherwise. Gives you a chance to inspect them and recon if necessary.

 

[Djaniero]

Thanks a lot for the info guys. Much appreciated. I’ve worked on my cars for years but never removed an engine before myself. Eager to learn and get the job done.
I actually have a small trolley laresdybso with the head removed along with alternator etc hopefully it will take the weight of the block and gearbox.

 

[Calum122]

@Djaniero Well I just dismantled the engine in situe and then removed the block crank by hand after it lost most of its weight. Was easy enough for such a small engine without a crane.

So to clarify, I dismantled the head from the car and removed all ancillaries, leaving the crank and bottom end intact. Placed a piece of wood across the suspension struts then wrapped a nylon lorry strap around the wood and the engine. Then unbolt it and lower it with a jack.

Anyway, that's the cow-boy way of doing it but it worked

 

[Djaniero]

@Djaniero Well I just dismantled the engine in situe and then removed the block crank by hand after it lost most of its weight. Was easy enough for such a small engine without a crane.

So to clarify, I dismantled the head from the car and removed all ancillaries, leaving the crank and bottom end intact. Placed a piece of wood across the suspension struts then wrapped a nylon lorry strap around the wood and the engine. Then unbolt it and lower it with a jack.

Anyway, that's the cow-boy way of doing it but it worked

It’s funny you mention this Calum. I actually have a TRD strut brace fitted to the car at the moment and did think whether or not I could put some lorry straps around it then round the bottom end. However I was unsure whether or not it could take the weight. I will most likely remove it and do the wood my method as you said is I don’t want to damage the brace.