Replace Engine Insulation
 

Have a 1983 SC Targa whose engine insulation is deteriorating. I want to change the batting without removing the engine. Can this be done by placing a jack under the engine, then removing the bolts to the rear engine cross mount, then carefully lowering the engine to gain access forward where the insulation is cemented to the body shell?

How far can I drop the engine in this manner without doing damage to the transmission, etc?

Thanks for any guidance anyone can offer.

Welcome to the forum. It is an unofficial requirement to post a pic of your car.

Yes you can do a partial drop. I am not sure of the total movement you can get at the rear most part of the car but 6" is pretty safe. I have done that on my 81. I have read some posts where folks went beyond that but wait until someone pipes up that knows for sure.

If you are logged in you can use the search/advanced search function and load in "partial engine drop" or something to that effect and read other posts.

You can drop her about 4-6 inches but you will need to release the Shift Coupler located under the panel between the back seats' footwells.

But use your common sense to lower without disconnect fittings, especially the fuel hard lines.

Aloha, welcome to pelican. I just did replace the engine pad on a SC by doing a partial drop. And it went well, the hard part was cleaning the mess. Both the adhesive from the firewall, and the dusty foam debris from the engine and area. I used a heavy plastic tarp to cover the engine, made it a lot nicer while leaning over the engine to do the scraping. Oh a small plastic scraper was the tool for most of the cleaning. Without damaging the paint.
I used the light weight pad ( read flexible) one from our host. This made it easier to position and to work around .
Once I got the area cleaned and ready for the install. I dry fitted the pad in place, then lowered the top of the pad onto the engine to get access to start spraying the adhesive onto the lower part of the firewall, and pad. then worked my way up to the top.
This sure cleans up the look of the area. and stops all the foam bits from littering the area all of the time.
Good luck with your project. You should check the research function here, an amazing stash of info for future Jobs.

Cheers Richard

To Bob Kontak, DRACO A50G, and tevake,

Thanks guys. You've given me the courage to go forward.

Will post a pix of the baby asap!