Look What Happened!

[North Coast Cab]

Well I'm no longer a virgin. The first engine drop is behind me. Thanks to all who post and contribute and especially to Wayne for making it so easy. It took 8-10 trips to the computer and a few posts but it was really straighht forward. My support crew wasn't coming through so I was going to wait for the drop. Then this morning I figured I do a little more prep and see how it goes. Before I knew it I was ready to drop it. So I carefully lowered an inch at a time and checked constantly as it went down. Solo mission complete.

Then funny thing is my origonal reason for the drop was for a clutch. I'm not sure I really need one but I figured why not drop it anyway. Lots of things to clean and maintain after 131,000 miles.

John

[JC930]

Not as tough of a job as it looks at first, huh?
Now that you know it's that easy you won't be affraid to do it next time.

[autobonrun]

Funny, the one time my engine was removed was to replace the clutch also. That was about 10 years ago.

[azasadny]

John,
Congratulations on a job well done. I'll be dropping my engine next year and you just gave me a little more confidence!

[al lkosmal]

The first time I dropped my engine I was the same way. I dropped it an inch at a time, checked all around, drop, check, drop check....... I was spooked, but it was pretty easy. Dropping the engine, by yourself, is the first test. Congrats.

[Wine Red 82 911]

John; Nice job on the engine drop! I'll be changing the original clutch on my SC this winter too. I was thinking of buying an ATV JACK at HARBOR FREIGHT for $59.00 this week. Do I need it?? I saw a nice folding engine stand at SAMS CLUB this week for $55 if you are looking for one. Keep us posted on your progress and have a nice holiday. Gary

[Hugh R]

John:

Did 101 Projects tell you most things you need to know? About how many hours to do it solo?

[tt_targa]

Congratulation!!

So it looks like you built a dolly and didn't have to take the rear valance or bumper off.

How about being a little more specific about a couple of things?

How high was the car when you started? Did you raise the car off the motor after it was on the ground?
You placed the jack right aft of the bell housing protected by a piece of wood? Lossened all mounts and then just lowered?
Did you do it single handed?
Were you ever close to droping the motor off the jack?
What kind of jack did you use with how much range?

[smestas]

John,

Make sure to get a new clutch and put it back in ASAP before you get the "While I have my motor out" disease.

I originally took my motor out a few months ago to replace a broken head stud and now I have 2 split case halves in my garage? How did that happen!

Congratulations on the engine drop.

[North Coast Cab]

Thanks to all. Here are MY lessons learned and My tricks, what others think and do doesn't matter to me at this point so take it with a grain of salt.

Jacking Height
I jacked the car to my normal working height. Then I disconnected everything and slowly lowered.
ATV Jack
Might make it a little easier but not necessary. If I had one I'd use it but I would rather spend the $50 on something else.

Dolly
Search the BBS for "engine cart" and you'll find some good pictures. A 2x4, a piece of 3/4 plywood and some caster is all I needed. I put the jack under the dolly and then supported the engine.

Dropping slowly
Of course I worried about pull or forgetting something. There are alot of things hanging around that even if disconnected could get caught. Lowering the jack with the dolly allowed me to easily move it once on the ground. It helped a ton to be able to pull it forward to get the shift rod free and clear.

Raising Car
Once engine was down and pulled towards the rear, I used two jacks, one on each side with a wood block to slowly raise the car. Once high enough I pulled the motor out. Then I put the wheels back on and lowered to the ground.

Forgotten Things & Tips
101 Project helped a bunch with the overall concept.
Tech article helped detail lots of steps as well as provided pictures for things I wasn't sure of.
I don't have a Bentley's manual but I'm told it's a big help.
Hayes manual is a POS
Pictures - I took a pre and post removal picture of almost everything I removed or disconnected. I downloaded and renamed the appropriate part.
I formulated a check list form BBS suggestions as well as 101 projects book. I added about a dozen items as I continued to see items that needed to be removed.
I compiled the disconnect list back into a check list for re-installation.

Time
2-3 hours complete. That includes several trips to the computer to search for pictures or advice. I worked a little here and a little there during the week so the time flew by.

Worries
I will I get it back in? Lots of talk on the BBS about dropping, but nothing and putting back. I'll worry about that later.

Heat
Though I received lots of suggestions about garage heat sources, I forgged ahead with no heat. Funny thing is I didn't even notice and it was probably about 35-38 degrees in there.

To Do List
Check clutch
Adjust valves
Replace every gasket and o-ring that could possible leak
Replace worn hardware items
Paint or powdercoat a bunch of items
Clean, clean and re-clean the motor.
Admire the beauty

John

[PeteBrown]

Congratulations! I thought the drop was put on hold this week-end.
Now that you are a pro, do you want to help me drop mine? I need a clutch R&R.

At a minimum, let me know when you plan to adjust the valves, I definitely want to learn.

[Superman]

Congratulations. A little spooky isn't it, balancing 600 lbs on the tip of a floor jack by yourself?

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by Hugh R
John:

Did 101 Projects tell you most things you need to know? About how many hours to do it solo?

While the 101 Projects book gives you a good overall plan on how to drop your engine, for the Carrera the Bentley manual is invaluable. It has step by step pictures of what has to be disconnected on the 3.2 engine.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Congratulations on your motor removal!!

But to echo Superman, removal and installation is not something we should contemplate doing solo. At least have a person there who can call for the paramedics...

+/- 600 pounds is alot to be balancing with parts of your body potentially getting under everything. It is much better to be safe than sorry!

[Brian Cameron]

So has anyone ever dropped their engine while trying this?

If you've got the guts to 'fess up, what went wrong, and how do you think it might have been prevented?

I make enough mistakes of my own that I'm always open to learning from someone else's.

[SC-targa]

It's not hard, or unsafe to do solo. I droped mine last month to rebuild my tranny. I made up a dolly, lowered the drivetrain onto it and then jacked the car up with a floor jack on each side and rolled the engine/tranny out from under the car.

If you were contemplating an engine rebuild, you wouldn't want to do that because you can't lift the motor, but for a clutch replacement or tranny work, it's simple.

It was invaluable to video tape the process, especially the tranny rebuild to make sure I put all the parts back in the way they came out.

Regards,

Jerry Kroeger

[pwd72s]

[North Coast Cab]

Pete,
Pulled the clutch off last night and it was a cake walk. The valve adjustment is a little different. Since the motor is on the dolly the lowere adjustments will be a challenge. I'm still trying to dig up a mount and stand. When it's time for the valve adjustment I'll give you a call.

Also, if you operate safely, there's no reason why you can't do the drop solo.

John

[carreradpt]

Good job John, I might be calling you down the line to help me thru mine. What with carrera pics and additional notes.

[Rot 911]

To be honest I think you would have to work very hard to get the engine/tranny to slip off the jack. It can only tilt so far before it hits the side of the engine compartment. By the time you got it lowered enough on the jack to actually slip off you would not be under it.