Removing 89 engine

Baenzi · Baenzi's Garage

Can the engine be removed from the top and can it be done in a garage.

What is the most difficult portion of the removal. Can transaxle stay in car.

I know these are very simple questions, I am considering and would like to know if anyone has done it.

928 S4 1989 auto.

Fredfox · 05-25-2010, 05:15 PM

Did it on my 86.5
Follow the manual and it is a snap, only thing I would do different is not pull the harness through the firewall, unhook it at the injectors and fold it back over the windshield.
The top bell housing bolts are a *****.
Torque tube stays in car.
Stick or auto?

Mrmerlin · 05-25-2010, 05:45 PM

to remove the engine remove the hood,
the radiator ,
and the exhaust header connections,
as well as disconnecting the bell housing,
and the flex plate,
and motor mount connections.,
the Bowden cable and vacuum line
\I suggest to remove the harness with the engine through the firewall as the harness is actually made to be removed with the engine and this will become more apparent when you go to put the engine back in.
Leave the A/C compressor attached to its lines remove the bolts holding it to the engine and disconnect the the PS ALT from the front of the block and leave them in place.
Disconnect the front harness from the engine /hot post 14 pin connector and the Hall sensor then this harness can stay in the car
the engine comes out the top

Baenzi · Baenzi's Garage

Mrmerln,
Did you remove the engine in your 88. They should be the same?

Baenzi · Baenzi's Garage

I see a lot of discussion on the torque tube and thrust bearing aligment. Can this be re installed and set up on my back in the garage?

wills928 · wills928's Garage

pics please!!!

Baenzi · Baenzi's Garage

What do you want a pic of?

stepson · 05-26-2010, 07:30 AM

+1 on what mrMerlin posted. Be sure to support/tie wrap/wire up the AC compressor and PS pump to keep them out of the way.
You may have to loosen the rear end to enable it to slide back about an inch to facilitate removal. No big deal there.
The locating pins for the Bell housing to the engine will be really tight. Helluva machining job for those things. You will probably have to pry it apart to get it apart there.
For the upper bell housing bolts, I have found that a floppy head gear wrench works best.
Good Luck.

nosnow4pc · 05-26-2010, 07:47 AM

From experience plan ahead with the lift. Make sure the engine lift can reach the engine and that it will work in your particular garage. I have a standard garage and I have to rent a lift the only lift with a long enough boom won't fit height wise in my garage.

stepson · 05-26-2010, 07:54 AM

You will also want the car on jack stands so you can get under it. When I'm taking the engine out, I also like to remove the MM for additional room to move the motor around while lifting, pulling, tugging, breaking loose from from the locating pins. I think it's easier to go back in without the MM in place also. YMMV

Baenzi · Baenzi's Garage

forgive me, but what is the MM and YMMV?
Thanks

dcrasta · dcrasta's Garage

MM = Motor Mounts
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary.

1 Point . U can use a milk crate to support the alt/ps pump bracket.

JhwShark · JhwShark's Garage

I believe:
MM=Motor Mounts
YMMV=Your Mileage May Vary

Baenzi · Baenzi's Garage

Thanks....duh

Mrmerlin · 05-26-2010, 01:48 PM

I did pull the engine out of my 88 and i did leave the MMs in place connected to the crossmember

Fredfox · 05-26-2010, 02:42 PM

I left my mounts in place also, however, I found it easier to leave the harness in the firewall, mrmerlin fells otherwise, use your own judgement on that one, everything else he states is true as he is a world of knowledge.
Mine is an 86, his is an 88, maybe different, also my harness was pretty hard and not very flexible.

stepson · 05-26-2010, 04:24 PM

I have left the MM in , and I have removed them also. I prefer the added room when they are removed. Different strokes, ya know?

Mrmerlin · 05-26-2010, 07:03 PM

Fred with your 86 the engine harness is a bit different and rather easy to disconnect the various wires.
on on an 87 and newer cars the intake manifold has a few connectors that just about require the intake to be removed to take them apart and putting them back on is another hassle so its much easier to do this with the engine removed for 87 and newer reference the throttle position sensor and the ISV

bwmac · bwmac's Garage

Why do you want to remove the engine. Its a big job unless you are mechanically inclined.
Note: some times it is easier to remove extra so that you don't have to struggle.

bwmac · bwmac's Garage

I just did my engine bearings with out removing the engine, but not recommended for the novice. I have done many many engines that way but it was my first 928 and it was interesting.