snwtoy wrote:Hi all
I have been told that this is an engine out job, is that correct?
Assuming so, is the best way to drop the engine and gearbox out the bottom of the car (not the top)?
Again, assuming this is the case, is there a way to do this without a hoist or a pit? - ie at home in a garage? Or am I stuck paying a mechanic 20+ hours labour to do it?
Thanks
Aaron
Did this on GT4 Celica a few times without car hoist, but with engine host.
Best way (for me): drop down engine+gearbox with cross member and sub frame, at same time do cambelt and seals (if close to being due).
More in detail:
Used normal jack to hold the cross member and sub frame while I unbolted everything around it. Don't forget wiring loom, best to pull it out from interior and fuse box (do not disconnect it from every sensor on the engine), fuel lines, coolant lines etc. I think it is better to remove axles and undo steering knuckles from arms (leave them dangling on the struts, so you don't have to deal with brakes).
I lifted the front of the car with engine hoist (arm set to 1.5T mark), while dropped the engine onto front of the engine hoist (plywood on the legs of the engine hoist). Then I put axle stands under lifted front with help of large wooden blocks to make up the height difference. Once car is secured I disconnected the crane and slid it out with engine from under the car.
There were different variation of this (since I done this several times), as you could hook the crane to the engine on already lifted car and drop the engine on the crane (this way you don't have to manipulate the jack under it).
The above could be done in space of 3-4hrs. The assembly is pretty much of opposite of the above.
Splitting gearbox from engine and mating it back is at least 2 men job (I did it once by myself, would never do it again) as the gearbox is probably weighs ~ 60kg and does not go in straight (it somewhat complex motion of insert-twist-insert due to interference between transfer case and engine block).