MichelleJD

Andrew:
Ditto what everyone else said (about coming out the top). I would add that you don't have to pull the lightbar, but I found it easier to rotate the light bar out of the way (lights were only partly up):

Zero10

Going out the top is a big PITA.
Once you've done it you will understand. It is much easier to go in/out the bottom.

For the bottom, you can install the crossover pipe and crossmember on the engine stand, then install a complete engine. You can't do that from the top

mein51

What he said!
My first engine removal was from the top - never again! Engine installation is waay easier from the bottom. I made an engine cradle to slide my engine under my car out of 2x4s that lets the motor sit on the mounts. Cargo strap engine to cradle, slide under, hoist up.

Gator_86_951

Engine has been out for about an 2 hours now. I went out the top because I didn't really feel comfortable lifting the car that high when I was working by myself. Pics in a second.

MPD47

Congrats, the easiest way is out the top IMO (done it both ways) especially if the transaxle is out because you can just kick the torque tube back and go straight up with the engine.

Zero10

You need ~18 inches at the nose of the car to get the engine out. I dropped mine down, removed the passenger side strut and control arm assembly, then slid it out the wheel well. I had a normal jack, and put 2 2x12's under it to raise it up ~3", then set my jack stands on the second highest setting under the front alignment points (behind the wheels). That gave me more than enough room, I had about 2" to spare sliding it out.
Some food for thought perhaps?

elf89

Good job! Congrats!

95Juan

time to celebrate.


buy a torta.

MichelleJD

leonc944

Ah, the pictures show what the problem is.

You really need an equalizer bar to allow you to tilt the motor forward or back when trying to maneuver it around. If you thought you had trouble taking it out, you're really going to appreciate what it can do for you when you put it back in.

That said, your experience taking it out the top is the best argument for taking it out the bottom.

Gator_86_951

Thanks guys.

Yes, I am going to hell for having removed it from the top. Now is definately not the time to debate with me about which way is best.

theedge

Its easy going out the bottom when you have a lift.

With car at normal height, use the lift to drop it down onto something that slides easy (I used my mechanics roller thingy, it gave its life). Then get a length of chain, hook each end up to those black tie down points (one on each frame rail) and lift the front end up with the hoist. The rear has to be on jack stands, use the style of jackstands for unibodys. These have more dished tops. Put those under the torsion bar housing tubes on the back, then it rotates.

Thats how I did it, except I lifted it up to drop the body over the engine, then lifted the engine.

Granite 944

Boy we all debate this enough, huh?

Load levelor is a MUST for the top removal (AFAIK), very useful for out the bottom removal, and I believe you DO at the very least, have to loosen, if not remove the crossmember to get needed clearance anyway if going out the top. I don't know for sure. I've always gone out the bottom.......so far. I don't remove the hood, and have NEVER been afraid of the height its at to do so.

Haynes does give a little bit more info than that............maybe not a LOT more, butt, it isn't THAT bad.


CONGRATS!!!

VaSteve

Congrats.

Zero10

As far as the height concern goes, just leave the back end on the ground. The angle this puts the car at gives you a few extra inches at the front end. This way your jack stands are only up ~18 inches.

Now is definately not the time to argue top vs bottom, you have done it the hard way, now go have a beer and enjoy the rest of the job.