3 "1st Time" Engine drop questions

[Dauner]

Hello,

I am working on my first engine drop for my 1989 Carrera 3.2 Targa. I have 3 questions:

1. Cruise Control: My cruise control does not look similar to the Bentley manual. I believe it is electronic? How do I disconnect? Remove socket from lever arm ball? how?
2. Clearance of starter around right axle shaft: I have the axle removed at the inner CV, and hanging on cable ties. Is there a trick to navigating the starter around the axle? Do I drop to a point, and then weasel axle around?
3. Shift shaft: Everyone comments on the hyper sensitivity of the shift shaft junction. When I removed the bolt at the junction, I can actually get the shaft to rest face to face with mate shaft. Am I missing something or damaging something?

All comments greatly appreciated!

Mark in Hudson, WI

[shadowjack1]

1) On mine I removed the linkage, it is held on by two phillips screws. The manual talks about removing the entire elect. unit.

2) Lower the engine very slowly then work the half shaft around the starter as you go.

3)I had no problems with the shaft once it was disconnected, mine was face to face as you stated. Room to spare.

[wildcat077]

I just removed the engine in my 89 Coupe a few weeks ago,i left the starter on the engine when i removed it,just disconnect the wires !
Much easier taking the engine out with the transmission attached to it ...

Cheers !
Phil

[hcoles]

1 - undo by removing screws as mentioned, don't pull shaft, careful with all the plastic bits, put to the side along the back of the engine bay
2 - push the axle up/around it will go by the trans/starter, hold up with tie wraps or wire
3 - push shift shaft forward and trans shaft back, take out boot to see better if you like, but put it back in first thing so you don't forget during install, I think the trans can come straight down if these are moved correctly

There are a good number of things to undo....maybe you have this figured out, I can't remember them all.... got CRS

- take off AC mount
- unplug injector connectors
- undo all the hoses at the back
- trans grounding strap
- backup switch wire
- starter wires
- three connectors on left side of engine - label
- connectors going to ICV/etc at the rear of engine
- fuel lines, there are some ways to help with this by removing the bracket, backup your forces with other wrench

Take heart, this is the easy part. A Pelican might live near and can drop by. I like to have two people when I do this but have done in and out by myself. Things are heavy so it is good to have at least a death watch. I assume you have a dolly/etc.

Keep us posted people are are happy to provide suggestions for "while you're in there".

[Dauner]

Thanks for the responses...

I'm following the steps as layed out in the 101 book and the Bentley. I basically have everything disconnected right now ( I think), short of the cruise cable. I bought an ATV lift and am doing the plywood with 4x4 and 2x4 mods.

Boy would I appreciate having someone local stop by. I usually go rediculously slow on things like this. Been working on the engine drop for weeks now. I'm not a member of the local twin cities PCA chapter, so don't know any other owners. I do have home brew!

I'm struggling a bit with the wittling of the 4x4 on my lift platform. As of right now, it really doesn't sit all that nicely under the center of the case, even with portions removed.

When people are saying remove the "wires" from the starter, there's only the one heavy gage, right? There are two more that are cable tied to the starter/solenoid, but I assume those stay with the engine?

Here's a pic of the current state: Bumper was a breeze to take off.

Thanks again,

Mark

[porschemn]

It just so happened, I dropped my "first" last week. A little simpler 71T. I sent you my number,

Matt

[kidrock]

Home Brew????

Shoot, I'd drive 100 miles and back for a good home brew. I'm just sorry I'm not closer.

Don't worry Matt, go slow and think everything through and it will be a piece of cake.

[wildcat077]

Mark,

Here is the engine dolly i made before removing the engine ... it sits about one inch higher off the ground than the ATV lift so you can remove the lift and use the dolly to move your engine around afterwards.

It was even balanced enough that i lifted my engine with two floor jacks under the dolly and hooked it up to my engine stand !
Couple 2x4's ,some wood screws,eight 5/16 bolts and 4 casters ...
The two top fwd/aft pieces sit right under the heat exchangers,very solid and support the engine safely !

This was my first engine drop as well,managed to do all this by myself so far,it's pretty straightforward if you follow the Bentley book.

Cheers !
Phil

If you need some dimensions and more pictures,pm me and i'll be glad to help out

!

[DRACO A5OG]

Remove the cruise control servo with the engine. If you look closely, there are two 10MM mounting bolts right under the servo. Use a ratchet box wrench, easy stuff with the engine partially dropped.

On the pull and drop, just make sure you check the tunnel so the shifter shaft is not leaning on the tunnel while pulling it out, Remove the rubber sleeve to see it better.

Just watch all the hoses and cables as you drop slowly, don't let it intimidate you, just make sure the jack/lift in in the correct place to balance the trans/engine.