Engine drop assistance

[Bigdog1758]

Hi everybody. I'm on my first engine drop on my 83 SC, and I followed the Haynes and 101 projects books and all smooth until the actual lowering of the motor. I've disconnected the shift linkage as described, but my problem is that the shifter shaft hits the top of the tunnel when lowering the engine. I can't lower the motor low enough to clear the chassis without the shaft touching. The books do not give any information on this other than that the linkage must be disconnected. I thought about using the jack on the transmission to reduce the stress and angle, but figure that I'll never get the proper angle to remove the motor. What am I doing wrong? I've been searching for a couple of hours now to no avail.
Also, is it difficult to mate the motor back up with the splines on the transmission? There seems to be no detailed information out there for reinstalling the motor. Thanks!

[toddu]

Are you not removing the transmission with the engine? You should. Will make life a lot easier.

When removing both connected, you have to come back as you come down. The fan housing will almost touch the rear "cross member".

Todd

[timmy2]

I really wish Wayne and Haynes would revise their literature to inform people to pull the engine and transmission together.
It was only after reading this forum that I learned it was easier as a unit.

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 take out as a unit Brother, just place the jack forward to balance the two.

Get a helper to guide you.

Removing the bumper will insure you have the proper clearance if you have not removed the top components.

I like to take steps in removing, pull back, lower, pull back lower then final pull out the back.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Bigdog1758

I've disconnected the shift linkage as described, but my problem is that the shifter shaft hits the top of the tunnel when lowering the engine.
Also, is it difficult to mate the motor back up with the splines on the transmission? There seems to be no detailed information out there for reinstalling the motor.

I took the first sentence to mean he was pulling the engine with the transmission since the input shaft was hitting the top of the tunnel. But then the next question led me to believe he was pulling it with without taking the trans out.

If you're pulling the engine and trans together, I put a jack under the transmission and the engine. As I lower, I'm pulling the engine toward the back of the car. The jack under the transmission keeps the trans at an angle for me and keeps it from hitting the tunnel opening and damaging it.

I'm curious, do you have the back end way up and the front on the ground? I had a little difficulty dropping my engine that way. I ended up leveling the car on stands with the back stands as high as they'd go, then once I had the engine out, I lowered the front. I did this because I didn't want to remove my rear bumper for fear I'd mess up my paint. It makes it slightly harder to drop the engine with the rear bumper on because you need extra height to get the engine below the bumper on the way out.

[turbo owner]

Push the shift shaft in

[Bigdog1758]

I pretty much have the motor out. I'd hate to have to hook it back up with the transmission now, unless completely necessary.I have a scissor jack, so the car is level more or less. How do you push the shift shaft in? I've tried my best but it doesn't budge. I had to take the rear bumper of because of my B&B exhaust wouldn't clear.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by timmy2

I really wish Wayne and Haynes would revise their literature to inform people to pull the engine and transmission together.
It was only after reading this forum that I learned it was easier as a unit.

Dennis,

Remember one thing, Wayne is an engineer and was not an experienced engine rebuilder when he wrote the book. If he wrote the book recently, it would probably suggest the engine and transmission combo. My two-cents.

BTW, his engine rebuild book is must to have for anyone rebuilding a 911 motor and the Technical forum is priceless. Wayne and his Pelicanparts business is probably the biggest factor for saving many of these old cars today. I take my hat off for Wayne!

Tony

[turbo owner]

Originally Posted by Bigdog1758

I pretty much have the motor out. I'd hate to have to hook it back up with the transmission now, unless completely necessary.I have a scissor jack, so the car is level more or less. How do you push the shift shaft in? I've tried my best but it doesn't budge. I had to take the rear bumper of because of my B&B exhaust wouldn't clear.

I was removing my engine with trans attached and had the same problem with the shifter shaft. It's been a few months since it was done but I used my hand and may have to rotate some to do it if you are in neutral.

[Bigdog1758]

Okay, I'll give that a try. Space is tight! I was wondering about whether I'd have the same problem dropping with the tranny attached.

[Bigdog1758]

Shift shaft doesn't budge. Frustrating!!! I'm getting nowhere.

[allaircooled]

I don't understand. Why does the shift shaft even matter if you are leaving the transmission in the car and only removing the engine. Or did I misunderstand?

[0396]

One advise that has not been mentioned, but Im sure you already know. Make sure the car is well supported and please do not utilize any of the three prong jacks of the past. I remember trying to pull an motor out of my 914..after much effort to tug back and forth. The jack was pushed the one side ...which only allowed two of the three legs of the jack to support the car. A little more tugging and the car would have fallen on me-. Good luck.

[Bigdog1758]

As you lower the motor, it is still connected to the transmission by the bolts on the motor until the motor is lowered enough to be pulled free. Since the tranny is still "connected", on end lowers with motor while the opposite end raises. The more you lower the motor, the more it tilts. And the motor on clear without the shift shaft touching the top of the tunnel. It's pushed back as far as it will go. I'm considering loosening the transmission supports a bit to see if that will help. Its been years since I changed he tyranny supports and I can't remember how long they are though.

[allaircooled]

Oh I see now. Was thinking back to my vw days when I pulled the motor and the tranny still attached to the car. Like others had mentioned, on my 911 I removed both as a unit. Was quick and easy.

Good luck.

[Bigdog1758]

I'm thinking about bolting it back up and dropping the transmission too. I planned on just the motor so I think my cart is too small. I made it just for this job.

[DRACO A5OG]

Big Dog, are you sure your cable is disconnected and helper&clutch arms are free?

With those components connected, there is no way to separate the engine from gear box. Just checking.

It should just slide right off.

[allaircooled]

I just used a harbor freight furniture dolly with a piece of plywood bolted to the top. My floor jack was under that. Worked nicely.

[Bigdog1758]

Everything's disconnected alright. The motor does come off freely, just can't get the clearance angle without causing shift rod damage. Yeah Chris, I had to make a trip to HF yesterday.... my cheapo jack went out. The cart might be the way. Another member posted a photo with his motor setting on it. Looked sweet. Right height for working and such. All I wanted to do is fix a out leak on the oil cooler myself, darn it! Is that too much to ask???

[DRACO A5OG]

"shift rod" do you mean the input shaft?

As I recall, before the coupler towards the front is the shift rod, after is known as input shaft. Maybe I am wrong :-/

If coupler is disconnected, you must be in a steep angle to cause potential damage to the input shaft???

Please post a pic, so we visualize your pain.