engine removal question

[dazleeds]

ok i have another engine swap to do pretty soon

my question is how easy is it to drop the engine out from underneath??

the reason i ask is i also need to use the subframe etc as the one im replacing is shagged

so i want any details you have on dropping everything at the front end out
as easily as possible as it seems a bit daft to pull engine and box out the top then go back under and remove the subframe etc afterwards

cheers all

Daz

[ric325i]

hum.

once that steering rack is removed and both the frame under the engine and the gear box is off it should be fine.

cant see any clearance problems but i have bever thought of doing it that way?

the front end is still heavy though even with out an engine - i tried to do some flinstone action but failed

i had no one to remove the axle stands that were underneath.


yaba daba doooo

[dazleeds]

if possible id like to just unbolt anything that holds the complete engine/subframe blah blah to the chassis and leave it all as one piece so to speak

im sure i saw a thread recently where this was done but cant find it

basicly unbolt it complet and roll the shell away then roll the new shell over and bolt it all back up in the new car

did i imagine this ??? or is it possible?? if it is how?

[oakey]

I definately read a thread about doig this on here a while ago. The front end was held up using two threaded rods I remember.
I'm sure its possible. Cant give you any pointers though.

[ric325i]

its going to be tough doing it.

go up on ramps, un bolt everything, lower engine, push back down the ramp, then tow/push the new shell up the ramp, raise engine and hay job done.


nice in theory. lets see if any brainy people can actually help rather than speculate - sorry cant say it can be done or not.

the last engine i took out (that was not bmw) i used a bar of wood across the engine, ropes around in and used tyres to as steps to walk down.

not the best idea but it worked.

[Turbo-Brown]

Have a look through my old posts, I did a quick write-up on the method of lowering the subframe using some rods a while back

[dazleeds]

Have a look through my old posts, I did a quick write-up on the method of lowering the subframe using some rods a while back

cheers fella

i knew i hadnt imagined it

will have a look thru in a bit

[chu346]

I thought that glenn had to drop the engine and raise the car with the V12 conversion.

I don't see how your gonna lift the car then roll the car away, more like lift the car and roll the engine away.

[daimlerman]

I remember T-Bs post about this.The shell had to be scary high at the front to give clearance.Are you stripping your bent car,Daz?Angle grinder untill you can roll the complete sbframe away springs to mind...Might be almost as easy to remove the engine/box through the top then lift the shell for the subframe...

[ric325i]

im with them /\

can you not get a engine lift is teh idea of frame to frame just sounding better?

[dazleeds]

yeh i must admit im begining to agree that a crane may just be less hassle

i was just being stingy lol
plus the engines coming out but wont be back in for a week or two so i,ll have to hire the bugger twice

hires cheap enough but the buggers charge for delivery and collection so will double the cost

[Turbo-Brown]

Ah haaa!

Here ya go:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... cheap+safe

[glenn]

I thought that glenn had to drop the engine and raise the car with the V12 conversion.

that was the only way i could get the v12 and manual box into the engine bay and tunnel

[320Touring]

daz- you need threaded bar

M10 thread and 17mm bolts (about £5 all in from homebase/B&Q etc)

I put them in all four holes and lowered gently. be careful going back in, and use a jack under the gearbox (on a bit of wood!) to level it up so the head doesnt catch on the bulkhead.

Plenty of tea needed!

[ric325i]

ah some better brains getting involved!

sweet.

the plenty of tea is always a good idea.

[dazleeds]

Iain temple to the rescue with the loan of a crane

lots of tea is a definate tho these things cant be rushed

[daimlerman]

Daz,I have an engine crane that you could buy for the cost of one hire.....it's sat in my yard in Lincoln.

[murran]

we just did an engine swap on an 99 e39 530d touring at work that had been drowned in the recent flood saga. we just undid everything rack u/js bottom suspension arms subframe bolts etc. and got an empty oil barrel (205 litre) sat the engine and box on that and sent the two post ramp up.
tho most of you dont have a two post ramp........ so thats that idea knackard then!