engine removal / fitting
Discussion
Just engine, or engine with gearbox?
Engine with gearbox, it is preferred to hoist it in at an angle (and back wheels lifted as well). All with a lot of precaution as space is very tight. Some said it has to be done without the exhaust manifolds on, others say it is possible (probably just) with them on.
Recommend a proper hoist and not to do it on your own (safety, and avoiding unnecessary damages).
Currently investigating the hoisting myself, as I want to take the engine and gearbox out next year..... So it will be a long wait for my experience. Other sources of information: search the forum as it has been discussed in the past. The wedge bible of course.
If you leave the gearbox in place, not as tight as above. But if you do the job, change the clutch and all related stuff. If the gearbox is noisy, it is an opportunity to get it overhauled.
Rob
Engine with gearbox, it is preferred to hoist it in at an angle (and back wheels lifted as well). All with a lot of precaution as space is very tight. Some said it has to be done without the exhaust manifolds on, others say it is possible (probably just) with them on.
Recommend a proper hoist and not to do it on your own (safety, and avoiding unnecessary damages).
Currently investigating the hoisting myself, as I want to take the engine and gearbox out next year..... So it will be a long wait for my experience. Other sources of information: search the forum as it has been discussed in the past. The wedge bible of course.
If you leave the gearbox in place, not as tight as above. But if you do the job, change the clutch and all related stuff. If the gearbox is noisy, it is an opportunity to get it overhauled.
Rob
I would say engine and gearbox together, with manifolds on is probably the easiest option. Not sure if all manifolds will come out cleanly, but bear in mind, to get the majority of manifolds off will require the engine mounts ot be let go and the engine raised.
You would be well advised to hire/borrow a big engine crane with a long reach. The first one I borrowed only reached as far the front pulleys...DOH.
As engine removals go I found it fairly striaght forward with no real complications. Despite it being a fairly snug fit, it came out and went back in easily and hte engine/box was well balanced on the engine lifting points.
A second person is very useful, I took mine out on my own and struggled getting the tail of the gearbox over the front edge of the engine bay.
You would be well advised to hire/borrow a big engine crane with a long reach. The first one I borrowed only reached as far the front pulleys...DOH.
As engine removals go I found it fairly striaght forward with no real complications. Despite it being a fairly snug fit, it came out and went back in easily and hte engine/box was well balanced on the engine lifting points.
A second person is very useful, I took mine out on my own and struggled getting the tail of the gearbox over the front edge of the engine bay.
Take manifolds off before lifting the engine. They will foul the gearbox/chassis.
If you can raise the car at the back to tip the body forward. Makes life a lot easier.
You will need a decent crane to get the legs under the body.
Remove engine with gearbox and yes someone else to help is a very very good idea. Protect the bodywork as well. One slip and you'll have an expensive bill.
If you can raise the car at the back to tip the body forward. Makes life a lot easier.
You will need a decent crane to get the legs under the body.
Remove engine with gearbox and yes someone else to help is a very very good idea. Protect the bodywork as well. One slip and you'll have an expensive bill.
The crane reach needed is ideally 1.3m, I did it with 1.2m but had to tie on an extra rope from the front hoist loop on the block to the hook to get it to swing in far enough. You can leave the manifolds on if the gearbox is still attached.
Use the opportunity to waxoyl round all those bits of chassis you normally can't get to.
Use the opportunity to waxoyl round all those bits of chassis you normally can't get to.
I am (soon) about to refit the engine back into my car, I agree totaly with everyones comments about the length of the hoist jib, I was assured of the length of the jib by the hire company, turns out it was about 500mm to shorter than advised (shame their bill wasn't smaller to match). So I took the engine out from the side (after having take one of the front wheels off), but it is a pain in the a*$e. Now thinking about putting an 'I' section in the garage, fully load tested of course 
. Then I will have no restrictions.
Regards,
Chris.
. Then I will have no restrictions. Regards,
Chris.
[quote=adam quantrill]The crane reach needed is ideally 1.3m, I did it with 1.2m but had to tie on an extra rope from the front hoist loop on the block to the hook to get it to swing in far enough. You can leave the manifolds on if the gearbox is still attached.
Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
The crane reach needed is ideally 1.3m, I did it with 1.2m but had to tie on an extra rope from the front hoist loop on the block to the hook to get it to swing in far enough. You can leave the manifolds on if the gearbox is still attached.
Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
taz turbo said:
I am (soon) about to refit the engine back into my car, I agree totaly with everyones comments about the length of the hoist jib, I was assured of the length of the jib by the hire company, turns out it was about 500mm to shorter than advised (shame their bill wasn't smaller to match). So I took the engine out from the side (after having take one of the front wheels off), but it is a pain in the a*$e. Now thinking about putting an 'I' section in the garage, fully load tested of course 
. Then I will have no restrictions.
Regards,
Chris.
Did you ever get that I-beam, Chris? . Then I will have no restrictions. Regards,
Chris.
Wedg1e said:
taz turbo said:
I am (soon) about to refit the engine back into my car, I agree totaly with everyones comments about the length of the hoist jib, I was assured of the length of the jib by the hire company, turns out it was about 500mm to shorter than advised (shame their bill wasn't smaller to match). So I took the engine out from the side (after having take one of the front wheels off), but it is a pain in the a*$e. Now thinking about putting an 'I' section in the garage, fully load tested of course . Then I will have no restrictions.
Regards,
Chris.
Did you ever get that I-beam, Chris? . Then I will have no restrictions. Regards,
Chris.
Regards,
Chris.
GV said:
adam quantrill said:
The crane reach needed is ideally 1.3m, I did it with 1.2m but had to tie on an extra rope from the front hoist loop on the block to the hook to get it to swing in far enough. You can leave the manifolds on if the gearbox is still attached.
Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
Um that's interesting, that you can put the engine back in with manifolds if the gearbox is attached.Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
Also someone posted a link to a Crane for sale, they work fine and are long enough.
GV said:
The crane reach needed is ideally 1.3m, I did it with 1.2m but had to tie on an extra rope from the front hoist loop on the block to the hook to get it to swing in far enough. You can leave the manifolds on if the gearbox is still attached.
Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
Certainly with the gearbox attached. I don't think the manifolds will affect the reach required, as this is mainly determined by the length of the nosecone. Is that 1.3m with gearbox attached and manifolds on??
Whether the g/b is attached or not primarily affects the amount of room you need in front of the car to move the trolley backward and forward.
The guy who changed my V6 engine (twice, the original engine was mullered by being stood for 13 years!, and putting an old granny lump in was a mistake!) took a lateral approach.
Bonnet off completely (gets in the way however you look at it) and jacked up the drivers side and removed the wheel (so the hoist can be put in from the side) once you have the engine on the hoist (as far up as possible?) lower the jack under the car and the wing magically moves out of the way and you can swing the engine over it and presto its out. *(This does NOT work if you leave the gearbox on, that will need to be done from the front)
However I'm not sure if it was as easy as that makes it sound as I was not involved with the swaps, but he managed to do it quite quickly and with no damage to the car, using a fairly standard engine hoist.
Might be of help, might be of no help at all, but its some more info just in case.
Norman
Bonnet off completely (gets in the way however you look at it) and jacked up the drivers side and removed the wheel (so the hoist can be put in from the side) once you have the engine on the hoist (as far up as possible?) lower the jack under the car and the wing magically moves out of the way and you can swing the engine over it and presto its out. *(This does NOT work if you leave the gearbox on, that will need to be done from the front)
However I'm not sure if it was as easy as that makes it sound as I was not involved with the swaps, but he managed to do it quite quickly and with no damage to the car, using a fairly standard engine hoist.
Might be of help, might be of no help at all, but its some more info just in case.
Norman
Thanks guys - I've seen a crane on the 'bay which is rated at 2 tons - 500kg at the max jib length of 1.6m which should be enough for a combined engine & box install juding by your informed comments. I took the engine out using a hired 500kg lift which took the weight of the engine but was a bit tight on reach and was getting a bit iffy.
I'll take some pics of the install for reference - your tips have been gratefully appreciated.
I'll take some pics of the install for reference - your tips have been gratefully appreciated.
Well I've taken then Racer engine and box out with me on top also (65kg), with a 500kg at max reach.
I found it easier to manoeuvre the engine by standing on it, with by brother lowing and moving the crane, esp with the gearbox attached as you need to angle it more, than just drop in (with just the engine)
I found it easier to manoeuvre the engine by standing on it, with by brother lowing and moving the crane, esp with the gearbox attached as you need to angle it more, than just drop in (with just the engine)
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