1st Motor Drop. Please chime in!!!

[Westy]

Da Moneypit has struck, and struck hard. 81 SC, and it is mad at me for attempting to sell it. But, I am not intimidated or scared, and have made a frontal assault.

I wanted to get a head start, so I came home after work and jumped in. Here’s what I’ve done.

Disconnected battery,,,,and found a nice rust hole about the size of a half dollar. The PO put in a new battery, so this was clearly not an unknown. Anyway, I’ll grind it down, neutralize it with baking soda, then paint it up with Rustoleum Tough or maybe POR

Drained the oil and disconnected the hard line (that was a B**ch!!!)

The car is on jack stands, but the rear clearance is only 21 inches. Something tells me I will have to go higher! I hope it’s OK to leave the car on the stands for a week or two.

Breather lines and soft oil line are disconnected

Clutch cable is disconnected. I didn’t disconnect the helper spring assembly because I’m pulling the tranny with the motor. Correct??

All starter wires disconnected.

AC sucked, and has been yanked.

Front and rear wire harnesses are disconnected, as is O2 sensor.

I would like to raise the front of the car so I can get behind the tranny and remove the speedo and back up switch. I’m not thin!!! Can I put a 4x12 under the front tires and raise it? I’m using my ATV jack to drop the motor.

Wayne’s 101 projects says there are three fuel lines to disconnect, but then only points out two. Am I missing something here???

Disconnected clutch cable, but,,,,,what is the wire that’s attached to the pivot point on the tranny? It looks like it’s going up into the motor. Again, my size is inhibiting me and I can’t see where it goes. It looks like it needs to be disconnected.

Since the motor and tranny are coming out together, how many bolts? The two at the rear of the motor and the tranny mount,,,,or are there other demons?

PLEASE CHIME IN IF YOU HAVE ANY INPUT. THIS IS MY FIRST MOTOR DROP, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT AS PAINLESS AS POSSIBLE

I’m going riding at Sand Mountain (you Nevadans will know) over the weekend, and will be back on Sunday, so any replies will be gratefully welcomed.

Thanx in advance,,,,Brian

[vash]

the pivot is the throttle. you need to take that off. dont forget the shift linkage, ground strap, axles......

[azasadny]

Raise the car as high as you can safely do so. Take the rear bumper off to get more room and use an ATV/motorcycle jack (I bought a Sear Craftsman for $100) to set the engine one.

[ZCAT3]

There are two bolts for the motor mounts and two for the tranny mount. Depending on where you disconnect the fuel lines, you may have 2 or 3 connections. The best method to be sure everything is disconnected is to run your hand around the edge of the engine bay and feel for anything that is still connected. Do this several times while lowering the engine out. Having a buddy as a helper and spotter is a good thing too. I think you need to be higher than 21 inches to get the engine under the car.

[911gilley]

I wouldn't put the front tires on anything...they roll and you lose the back jackstands....BAD IDEA. Instead, you should be able to get the rear bumper up 36" with a pair of 6 ton jackstands under torsion bar covers, and if the jackstands aren't tall enough, put some 2x12's under them to raise. Just make sure to chock both front wheels well.
This photo is just prior to an engine install in an '83 SC:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads5/20040102+05+EngInstall+0351113967180.jpg

[vash]

PUNK! chris and I wanna come up and help.

chris likes BBQ, and i like chicken stuff. beer is good, some water to hydrate. if it is just me, maybe a place to camp-out. i promise not to sneak off with any parts .

[Mookster]

Remove the rear sway bar. Ask me how I know.

I removed the rear valance to get a wee bit more clearance w/o raising the car to a dangerous level

[Westy]

How about the speedo and the back up switch? Can I start to lower the motor/tranny and then get to the connections? I can't even see them as it stands (or sits) now.

[SalazarS2K]

I echo some of the previous posts to make sure you get the larger sized jack stands (the 6 tons work really well). Not only do they give you a better starting height, but they are also much more stable when you are underneath the car. Since I just pulled my motor last night AGAIN, here are the list of things I had to write down and remember to reinstall:


Print out Waynes Engine Removal Document
Unhook battery
Remove sway bar
Drain Oil
Remove oil question mark line, and straight pipe
Remove CV Bolts/tie up CV joints
Remove cover to tranny tunnel
Remove bit on tranny tunnel connecting tranny shifter rod
Remove Starter cables
Remove Tranny Ground strap
Remove Oil breather hoses
Remove Harnesses (mark all sensors)
Remove Throttle cable/clutch cable
Remove Speedo sensor
(May not need the following below)
Remove distributor connections
Remove coil pack connections

Also, when mating the tranny back with the engine, MAKE SURE the shift fork is aligned with the throw out bearing. Ask me how I know.

[Westy]

Thanx...I think, while it's out, I'm curing any and all vacuum leaks. Intake gaskets, intake rubber sleeves, and all dry lines. I will win!!!

Vash - Maybe beer and BBQ next weekend when I put it all back together and reinstall. I wouldn't want to deprive you and Chris the opportunity to get your hands dirty.

B

[911gilley]

You only need to undo the speedo before unbolting the motor.

For the backup switch, it is attached to the engine harness on the engine, so it should come off with the engine. If you want to take it off before dropping engine (so you don't damage it), there is a space between the front engine mounts (on transmission) and the firewall. There you should see the backup switch connector with rubber boot on it; its a 2 pin connector so pull boot back off of it and carefully pull the 2 pins from the backup switch. I would just leave it on because it's a tight spot to take it off.

The speedo cable should have a connector inside the car under the shift coupler cover (under carpet at rear of shift tunnel). Disconnect here and feed out through firewall (can probably just pop rubber firewall grommet out with cable still inside and feed out thru firewall.) Simple.

[azasadny]

Westy,
While I had my engine out, I replaced the engine compartment soundpad, rear shocks, all fuel and vacuum lines as well as all clamps with stainless steel clamps, motor mounts and engine bracket (bent when removing the motor mounts). The rear shocks and other parts are very easy to inspect and repair/replace while the engine is out it's almost a shame not to take care of them. The old fuel and vacuum lines were dried out, cracked and leaky, so replacing them really improved the reliability of my car. Good luck!

[MobileWrks]

Good going brian. a few things to help you out.
Use 6 ton jack stands
Take off cis boot. gives you 4-5 inches clearnce
C.V allen bolts, clean out with a small screw driver. if they strip,i dont think your neihbors down at the bottom of the hill wants to hear the LOUD ROOOOAARRRRR.. if they do ( bolts strip). give me a call ill shoot up and help.......
Under the plate in the rear seat ( TAKE OFF THE ALLEN 4mm ) unplug the 2 wires.
Lower the engine with jacks stands low, Dont ask me how i know..( then as you know everything is disconnected,raise the car to its highest point

[Westy]

Yup,,,souondpad and shocks have been replaced, but I agree about everything else. If it takes two weeks before the motor goes back in, then so be it.

Is it OK to leave the car on jack stands for a couple weeks?

[Westy]

You lost me there, Jimmy. How do I raise the car if my RV jack is under the middle of the motor and it's disconnected from the body?

[Rikao4]

If you get the like's of "Vash" and others to help, this is not needed, if you are just disconnecting stuff to get ready /LABEL them.Makes the re-install simple.Shift coupler is a prime example..dark,the wires look the same..go back, and which goes where ? if not labeled, the comedy begins.Helped "Brother" do his...most fun I had in a long time.
Rika

[SalazarS2K]

Yes, mine was up on jack stands for many many weeks. Also, you will want to order some new CV bolts from here: http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?pagenum=2930

You are looking for 12.9, socket cap screw, M8x50 (or whatever). 25/box $6.52+ship.

[Westy]

Already got the bolts, I'm thinkin way ahead here. Can't let Vash help. His CIS is taking a scheet. He will only steal all my parts. Bad man,,,very bad man!!!

[cbeers]

Hey Westy,

I have heard of Sand Mountain, but never been there. Send me some pix sometime.

When you get around to the install, let me know too, I would be willing to help out / learn if I can.


-Chris (the other Chris )

[Westy]

Hey Chris,,,looks like Sand Mountain is gonna be a no go. Looks like rain and snow over the summit Sat and Sun, and rain at the mountain. This really sux, cause now I have to work on the Porsche with no excuses. As far as you learning from me,,,,have you ever heard of the blind leading the blind? LOL