SL2 removing engine & 5 speed

[Guest]

Could those who have removed the engine with trany please give input as to major steps needed to remove & reinstall.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to go?

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

Any other thoughts on this job?

Thanks Ben

 

[Lane]

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to go?

I've done one each way. Out the top requires less disassembly, but you need a hoist. The cradle with all the suspension stuff attached is heavy, especially with the trans in it. I prefer the top.

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

None of the above need to be removed. But getting the fan and radiator out of the way give you more room to work. Also be careful not to scrape the throttle body's sensors on the edge of the cowl. It's very easy to do.

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

I believe that the steering rack is attached to the cradle, so when you drop the cradle, the wheel shaft has to be disconnected from the rack. It's easy though - just one bolt. You can probably keep all the A/C stuff connected if you need to.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]

 

[BANDIT2941]

Could those who have removed the engine with trany please give input as to

major steps needed to remove & reinstall.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to go?

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

I've never done it out the top - I'm not sure if you even can pull it out the top with the trans attached.

Its not such a bad job dropping the cradle. You will need a hoise whichever way you do it. You need to drain and pull the radiator, and you leave all the AC stuff in the car - unbolt the compressor and tie wrap it out of the way. The steering comes right apart - there is a slipjoint(IIRC I unbolted the single bolt then when I took it apart it fell out of the slipjoint too). Don't forget that you will need to disconnect the brake lines, I did it right at the banjo fitting on the calipers. Check and double check you disconnected all of the wiring before you drop it - and make sure its safely out of the way from getting snagged. It will clear the exhaust downpipe with a little wriggling - make sure it doesn't get stuck between the sway bar. Also, take off the rubber exhaust hangers to give it room to fall. Make sure when you take the struts out, you unbolt the three nuts, not the big center bolt. If you take the three nuts off the springs will stay compressed and its much easier. I uploaded a couple shots to give you an idea of how high it will need to be and what it looks like when it comes out.

http://www.carandtrailersales.com/pics/height.jpg

http://www.carandtrailersales.com/pics/cradle.jpg

Jamie

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info.

But looking at it from the top, it just doesn't look to be able to fit between the frame rails.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to go?

I've done one each way. Out the top requires less disassembly, but you need a hoist. The cradle with all the suspension stuff attached is heavy, especially with the trans in it. I prefer the top.

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

None of the above need to be removed. But getting the fan and radiator out of the way give you more room to work. Also be careful not to scrape the throttle body's sensors on the edge of the cowl. It's very easy to do.

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

I believe that the steering rack is attached to the cradle, so when you drop the cradle, the wheel shaft has to be disconnected from the rack. It's easy though - just one bolt. You can probably keep all the A/C stuff connected if you need to.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Could those who have removed the engine with trany please give input as to major steps needed to remove & reinstall.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to go?

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

Any other thoughts on this job?

Thanks Ben

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info and the pics.

I take-it oyu used the hoist to lower the assembly outthe bottom?

 

[RC]

I'm getting ready to pull my engine and 5spd also. People have told me the crank pulley needs to be removed with an air gun.

RC

Thanks for the info.

But looking at it from the top, it just doesn't look to be able to fit between the frame rails.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to

go?

I've done one each way. Out the top requires less disassembly, but you need a hoist. The cradle with all the suspension stuff attached is heavy, especially with the trans in it. I prefer the top.

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

None of the above need to be removed. But getting the fan and radiator out of the way give you more room to work. Also be careful not to scrape the throttle body's sensors on the edge of the cowl. It's very easy to do.

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be,

should
the

AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

I believe that the steering rack is attached to the cradle, so when you drop the cradle, the wheel shaft has to be disconnected from the rack. It's easy though - just one bolt. You can probably keep all the A/C stuff connected if you need to.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Could those who have removed the engine with trany please give input

as

to should
the

 

[BANDIT2941]

Thanks for the info and the pics.

I take-it oyu used the hoist to lower the assembly outthe bottom?

One time I raised both car and cradle, then lowered cradle out the bottom. Another time I THINK I raised everything, disconnected everything, then lowered the car to the ground, removed the cradle bolts and lifted the car off the cradle.

 

[BANDIT2941]

I'm getting ready to pull my engine and 5spd also. People have told me

the crank pulley needs to be removed with an air gun.

It makes it easy to zip it off with an air gun. Otherwise you will have to prevent the crankshaft from turning when you turn the bolt.

 

[Lane]

Sorry, my post didn't mention that I separated the trans from the motor before pulling the motor out the top.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Thanks for the info.

But looking at it from the top, it just doesn't look to be able to fit between the frame rails.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to

go?

I've done one each way. Out the top requires less disassembly, but you need a hoist. The cradle with all the suspension stuff attached is heavy, especially with the trans in it. I prefer the top.

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

None of the above need to be removed. But getting the fan and radiator out of the way give you more room to work. Also be careful not to scrape the throttle body's sensors on the edge of the cowl. It's very easy to do.

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be,

should
the

AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

I believe that the steering rack is attached to the cradle, so when you drop the cradle, the wheel shaft has to be disconnected from the rack. It's easy though - just one bolt. You can probably keep all the A/C stuff connected if you need to.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Could those who have removed the engine with trany please give input

as

to should
the

 

[Guest]

Did you have the drive axles still in the transmission when separated from the engine, or were they [both ? ] pulled out of the transmission?

Thanks,
Ben

Sorry, my post didn't mention that I separated the trans from the motor before pulling the motor out the top.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Thanks for the info.

But looking at it from the top, it just doesn't look to be able to fit between the frame rails.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to go?

I've done one each way. Out the top requires less disassembly, but

you
need

a hoist. The cradle with all the suspension stuff attached is heavy, especially with the trans in it. I prefer the top.

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

None of the above need to be removed. But getting the fan and

radiator
out

of the way give you more room to work. Also be careful not to scrape the throttle body's sensors on the edge of the cowl. It's very easy to do.

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the

rack
and

pinion?

I believe that the steering rack is attached to the cradle, so when

you
drop

the cradle, the wheel shaft has to be disconnected from the rack.

It's
easy

though - just one bolt. You can probably keep all the A/C stuff connected if you need to.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Could those who have removed the engine with trany please give input

as

to
major steps needed to remove & reinstall.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way to go?

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the

rack
and

pinion?

Any other thoughts on this job?

Thanks Ben

 

[Lane]

If it is me that you're asking -

I moved the trans away from the motor before the motor was pulled. In order to do so, I removed the axles from it.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Did you have the drive axles still in the transmission when separated from the engine, or were they [both ? ] pulled out of the transmission?

Thanks,
Ben

Sorry, my post didn't mention that I separated the trans from the motor before pulling the motor out the top.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at http://www57.pair.com/lane

Thanks for the info.

But looking at it from the top, it just doesn't look to be able to fit between the frame rails.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way

to
go?

I've done one each way. Out the top requires less disassembly, but you need a hoist. The cradle with all the suspension stuff attached is heavy, especially with the trans in it. I prefer the top.

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

None of the above need to be removed. But getting the fan and radiator out of the way give you more room to work. Also be careful not to

scrape
the

throttle body's sensors on the edge of the cowl. It's very easy to do.

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

I believe that the steering rack is attached to the cradle, so when you drop the cradle, the wheel shaft has to be disconnected from the rack. It's easy though - just one bolt. You can probably keep all the A/C stuff connected if you need to.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]
---
Visit my Saturn Car Audio and Performance Page at
http://www57.pair.com/lane

Could those who have removed the engine with trany please give

input
as

to
major steps needed to remove & reinstall.

1) Pulling out the top or dropping out the bottom is better way

to
go?

2) If pulling out the top - do these and other items need to be removed first: crank pulley, radiator, intake manifold?

3) If going out the bottom - how high does the car need to be, should the AC stay in the car, what about the steering wheel linkage to the rack and pinion?

Any other thoughts on this job?

Thanks Ben

 

[Hutch001b]

I moved the trans away from the motor before the motor was pulled.

Lane, I'm wondering if the engine you pulled out the top was attached to a manual tranny? I don't have any personal experience with pulling a manual out the top but I've heard you can't separate a manual tranny far enough from the engine due to the input shaft sticking out too far. Hutch

 

[Lane]

Yes, this was with a manual trans. I can't recall if I separated it and left it there, or if I pulled the trans out the side first (out the wheelwell after dropping cradle a few inches - a whole other topic). I would think you could separate it enough to get the input shaft out of the motor since I know several people who have replaced their clutch with the trans and motor still in the car. That may have been by dropping the cradle down on the trans side in order to be able to move the trans over that way a bit more though too.

For those of you with all these sorts of questions - you should check out Saturn chat. You'd get instant answers and advice there from people who have done things like this many times. Details are in a post I made yesterday titled "calling all Saturn owners/enthusiasts - please read".

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]

 

[BANDIT2941]

Yes, this was with a manual trans. I can't recall if I separated it and

left it there, or if I pulled the trans out the side first (out the wheelwell after dropping cradle a few inches - a whole other topic). I would think you could separate it enough to get the input shaft out of the motor since I know several people who have replaced their clutch with the trans and motor still in the car. That may have been by dropping the cradle down on the trans side in order to be able to move the trans over that way a bit more though too.

They must have lowered the cradle on that side. You will also have to pull the axles out of the tranny to do this too. I thought it was pretty easy to just drop it out the bottom myself......

 

[Jim Smith]

They must have lowered the cradle on that side. You will also have to pull the axles out of the tranny to do this too. I thought it was pretty easy to just drop it out the bottom myself......

I would agree, with this one exception.
You must have a way of lifting the car after you drop the cradle. Not many have the ability to lift the front of the car 4 feet in the air!

I just pulled a DOHC motor and we dropped it out the bottom. Without a lift, the car would have been difficult to lift above the engine. You must also remember to drop the cradle onto a rolling dolly. Don't ask how I know!!!

Jim Smith

 

[BANDIT2941]

I would agree, with this one exception.

You must have a way of lifting the car after you drop the cradle. Not many have the ability to lift the front of the car 4 feet in the air!

I used an engine hoist and IIRC a block of wood the spanned the gap on the bottom, then set it on jackstands. Seems to me most everyone who would have the skills to take on this sort of job would at least know someone they can borrow a hoist from.......

I just pulled a DOHC motor and we dropped it out the bottom. Without a lift, the car would have been difficult to lift above the engine. You must also remember to drop the cradle onto a rolling dolly. Don't ask how I know!!!

Or.........you can simply put the front tires back on it!!

 

[Jim Smith]

I used an engine hoist and IIRC a block of wood the spanned the gap on the bottom, then set it on jackstands. Seems to me most everyone who would have the skills to take on this sort of job would at least know someone they can borrow a hoist from.......

Are you taking the engine and tranny out along with the cradle?

How are you moving the old engine out of the way if you don't put it on a dolly of some sort?

Or.........you can simply put the front tires back on it!!

How can you put the front tires on if the engine, tranny and cradle are out of the car? The entire front suspension of the car comes off with the cradle. Let me know if I missed something. When I pulled the cradle, all of the front suspension came with it. Struts, axles, hubs, rotors, etc.

Let me Know!!!
Jim Smith

 

[BANDIT2941]

Are you taking the engine and tranny out along with the cradle?

Yes - I don't know how you would drop the cradle without taking the engine and tranny with it....

How can you put the front tires on if the engine, tranny and cradle are out of the car? The entire front suspension of the car comes off with the cradle. Let me know if I missed something. When I pulled the cradle, all of the front suspension came with it. Struts, axles, hubs, rotors, etc.

Thats the point(the whole suspension comes out) You bolt the tires right on the newly removed cradle and sit the car on jackstands. You must not have seen the links I posted for my pics:

http://www.carandtrailersales.com/pics/cradle.jpg

http://www.carandtrailersales.com/pics/height.jpg

In that pic of the cradle, the hoist was still attached. After that we took the chains off and rolled it around as necessary.

Jamie