DIY or Have a shop do it?
Discussion
So, I'm probably within a month of pulling the engine on my '83 TE. I'm starting to think of options. Tonight I sat down with the Service Notes and read the section on removing the engine from the car. It doesn't look like there is a whole lot of work involved here.
I'm now trying to decide if I want to pull the engine myself or get my friend who owns a (non-Lotus) import shop to do it. If the car was EFI with a lot of electronics and sensors I wouldn't even consider doing this myself.
I am by no means a mechanic, but I am fairly handy with a wrench. The prospect of pulling the engine really doesn't scare me too much (putting it all back scares me more.) From the brief read it looks like the engine could be pulled from the car in less than 6 hours.
Any opinions on whether I should attempt this? If so, how long should this take?
I'm now trying to decide if I want to pull the engine myself or get my friend who owns a (non-Lotus) import shop to do it. If the car was EFI with a lot of electronics and sensors I wouldn't even consider doing this myself.
I am by no means a mechanic, but I am fairly handy with a wrench. The prospect of pulling the engine really doesn't scare me too much (putting it all back scares me more.) From the brief read it looks like the engine could be pulled from the car in less than 6 hours.
Any opinions on whether I should attempt this? If so, how long should this take?
Hi,
Pulling the engine is fairly straightforward, but your estimate of 6 hours may be a little optimistic, I'd plan on more like 8.
You need a cherry picker with an equalizer. Also, because there are no points with which to mount the chains from the equalizer, we've found that using a nylon tow strap wrapped around the engine several times and then connected to the lift works best. Also, remove all ancillaries, including the intake manifold/carbs before pulling the motor.
The engine is weight biased to the left side, so you want to have several friends available to help guide the engine clear of the bodywork and resist the engine's tendency to want to roll left. Lift it off it's mounts and then start adjusting the equalizer until the engine/tranny is about 45° to the vertical.
Also, we've found it beneficial to raise the car up on jackstands on the rear, lift the engine/tranny as a unit, and then lower the car so the engine easily clears the rear transom and retract it rearwards. You will want to remove both the hatch and the rear cross brace (reinstall the cross brace once the engine is removed as it's probably not a good idea to let the chassis support the body weight without the cross brace bringing it together as a total assembly).
Separate the engine from tranny on the floor and reassemble the same way prior to reinstalling it - much easier. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
Pulling the engine is fairly straightforward, but your estimate of 6 hours may be a little optimistic, I'd plan on more like 8.
You need a cherry picker with an equalizer. Also, because there are no points with which to mount the chains from the equalizer, we've found that using a nylon tow strap wrapped around the engine several times and then connected to the lift works best. Also, remove all ancillaries, including the intake manifold/carbs before pulling the motor.
The engine is weight biased to the left side, so you want to have several friends available to help guide the engine clear of the bodywork and resist the engine's tendency to want to roll left. Lift it off it's mounts and then start adjusting the equalizer until the engine/tranny is about 45° to the vertical.
Also, we've found it beneficial to raise the car up on jackstands on the rear, lift the engine/tranny as a unit, and then lower the car so the engine easily clears the rear transom and retract it rearwards. You will want to remove both the hatch and the rear cross brace (reinstall the cross brace once the engine is removed as it's probably not a good idea to let the chassis support the body weight without the cross brace bringing it together as a total assembly).
Separate the engine from tranny on the floor and reassemble the same way prior to reinstalling it - much easier. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
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