SL2 removing engine & 5 speed

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

 

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.

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.

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 ]

 

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

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

 

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.

 

Thanks for the info and the pics.

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

 

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 and the pics.

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.

 

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

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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 ]

 

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

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

 

I would agree, with this one exception.

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.......

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

 

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?

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

 

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....

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