Markus56 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I am going to pull the engine out of my '85 wagon tomorow. I am reading up in my chilton manual, and i would read my haynes book too, but i can't find it. It has a weber swap so that takes out a bunch of the unnecessary crap and I am planning on using my neighbors tractor that has a bucket to take it out Are there any tips i should know so i don't screw up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zukiru Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 you need a jack under the front of the tranny to lift the engine up high enough to clear the mounts (this is after you unbolt the mounts and before you unbolt the bell housing) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 It's fairly straightforward. The hardest part is separating the engine and trans. Best way that I've found, is to lift the engine with your hoist, and once the engine mounts are clear of the crossmember, put a jack under the front of the transmission to hold it at that angle. Then unbolt the 2 and start yanking. Feel free to pull on the motor quite a bit, wiggle it back and forth a bit, play with the height of your hoist, to get just the right angle. But DON'T pry on the bellhousing. as tempting as it might be....it'll only make things worse (I've heard of people breaking chunks out of the bellhousing ). Beyond that, just remember to quadruple check that you have everything disconnected, and keep an eye on it as you start lifting. Remember, the definition of an engine hoist: "A large, usually hydraulic, piece of equipment that tests the tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus56 Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 My engine hoist is about the same size as the car I'll try to get some pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moped Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 There's an alternative to putting a jack under the front of the transmission. If you cut a 2x4 to length, and lay it across the shock towers, you can sling the tranny with some rope. That's what I did when I did my EJ swap. The engine is quite light, by the way. When I pulled the EA engine out, I rigged two pulleys from the garage roof. I did the lifting, and then a friend belayed (yes like for climbing) while I got another handful of rope. Also, I'm sure the book says to do so, but do pull out the radiator. It'll give you a lot more breathing room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus56 Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 (edited) I ran into a roadblock. the neighbor broke his tractor, and i cant for the life of me undo the transmission mounting bolts. And just for the heck of it i ran a compression test cause the engine was running like poo and three cylinders read 150 psi and the other one read 180 psi Edited September 20, 2009 by Markus56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardtail_pride Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I guess i will pipe in having done my motor swap yesterday. I searched for a week for a free alternative to renting a motor hoist and eventually broke down and rented one from a place called Ace Rents. They had one that breaks down and fit in the back of my loyale! It worked perfect and was only 22 bucks for a day. Now im exhausted though cause i spent all day hurrying doing the swap so i could get it back on time. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus56 Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 How are you supposed to reach the tranny mounting bolts that are on the bottom of the engine?!? I can't fit my breaker bar in on the passenger side cause the axle is in the way and on the driver side the distributor and all the other crap is in the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus56 Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 (edited) HAHA! PB blaster and iron determination win again! The engine is free, just need to lift it out Then i can build my lift kit! Edited September 21, 2009 by Markus56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudduck Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 If you know someone wiht a good back, two people can lift the engine out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus56 Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 I've lifted one of those before to put it on a motor dolly and it was sketchy with three people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zukiru Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 ^^whatever... lol I lifted a 2.5 by myself to put it in the passenger floor board (seat pulled of course.) these engines are LIGHT! (I am a stout guy though.) (translation: lard rump roast) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Log1call Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Yeah those things are light. When I was young(and stupid) I could lift them by myself. If you have to use a tractor don't try using the hydraulics, they move too fast and you really need to align things just right so as to not bend the clutch. Best thing if you have to use a tractor bucket is to put it up then use a block and tackle, chain-hoist or a fenceing wire strainer of you have those over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 a come-a-long over a truss in the shed will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Me and another guy (two different guys in fact) recently moved an EJ22 with all acc. into and out of a pickup bed. No problem at all. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyman03 Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 I too have removed a subie engine (ea82) with the help of someone else. Not exactly "Light" but was able to lift it high enough to clear the radiator and put into a wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glwagonman Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 me and a buddy of mine lifted my ea82 out with a pice of rope and a roofrack it was awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Quixpunch Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Long time ago, I helped a friend drop his EA18 with a short chain and a 2X4. More recently, I've done both an EJ25 and an EA18 in two seperate vehicles using a Harbor Freight cable hoist mounted to the ceiling in the garage(Love how the Subie hoods open so far!). Rather than jacking the front of the transaxle, I've had great success standing on the front bumper while gently pulling the engine forward. Although, putting them back in hasn't been as easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevieboi34 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 hi can someone help me im doing a engine swap and have taken all nuts off bell housing and engine mounts and engine seems to be stuck , i have a good 20mm gap and it wont come out any furthur ,its like the clutch wont let it come out i was thinking of removing the bolts inside the gap where the clutch plate attaches to the engine itself to get it out but , i dont know my subaru manual never said anything about undoing bolts inbetween the gearbox and engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rust Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 I usually unbolt the front bar off the frame (4 bolts) and drop the whole thing (tranny and all) and slide it out from under the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 no, the clutch shouldn't cause any hangup (the disc needs to be able to slide on the input shaft to work properly....so they don't really get seized on there). just have to make sure everything is disconnected. the pitch stopper (bar from the engine to firewall), throttle cable, fuel lines, electrical, vacuum, etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman19154 Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 I usually unbolt the front bar off the frame (4 bolts) and drop the whole thing (tranny and all) and slide it out from under the car. sounds like a Vee Dub fan that can't leave old habits behind. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newzealandproud Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 its a pull-clutch, should i still be able to just pull it out?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus56 Posted August 3, 2010 Author Share Posted August 3, 2010 Dude. I made this thread a year ago. Yes, as long as all the bell housing and cross member bolts have been removed, the engine should pop right out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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