[earossi]

Guys, Im loving this discussion! I did not have a set of shop manuals when I pulled the 993 power train. Since I had pulled 911 engines out of earlier vintage cars, I did not feel that was a particular handicap.

What I did refer to were the several detailed write-ups on Rennlist devoted to pulling the engine. IIRC, there are write-ups on PCA-Workshop and a writeup by "Toga". I recognized the engine pull to be similar to my other experience, except for the fact that there were a lot more accessories involved, more complex engine management systems, and there is the more complex rear suspension in the 993 versus the older 911's I had worked on.

So, I methodically disconnected everything and tagged every vacuum or electrical connection I broke. I took lots of pictures. All of that took time. The one issue that was an impediment both on removal and on installation......was interference from the half shaft on the driver's side of the car. I finally enlisted the help of a friend, who, while holding a rope attached to the interfering half shaft was able to move the shaft so that the engine would drop straight down.

On prior cars, I was able to remove the axles since they were bolted in on both ends. On the 993, the stub shaft on the outboard end of the axles is bolted into the trailing arm. Looks like a lot of work and pain to remove the axle. So, I struggled with the interference issue.

Having removed and installed the power train once now, I believe that my time to remove it would drop substantially. Almost all electrical connections are color coded, so they are pretty much idiot proof (unless you're color blind).

And, there was an unforeseen obstacle of my own making in the removal/installation procedure. I have a four post lift that the car was sitting on. My intent was to position a work table between the ramps, drop the car down until the power train was sitting on the table, then disconnect the train from the car, and simply lift the car off the power train. As luck would have it, the engine is wider than the distance between the ramps! Big oversight! So, I removed the mufflers before dropping the engine. And, bad luck again.......the engine package, without mufflers, was still about 2 inches wider than the space between the ramps. so, I had to remove the bracket that mounts the mufflers. Once done, the engine dropped down through the ramps.

If I ever purchase another lift, it will be a two poster!

At any rate, thanks for the feedback. With my learning curve out of the way, and using a two post lift, I think that the next time would probably half the time required.