Ways of getting an S2 engine out?

ChasR · Sep 9, 2009

Well, I am ready to buy an S2 engine, but before I embark on changing it, I am wondering about which of the two ways is best to change the S2 engine.

Clark's guide suggests to go from below, and I know Franklinhill told me that it could be done by lifting the engine through the top, but that involves loosening off the torque tube and gearbox, and getting them as far back as possible.

I may well end up giving it to a garage to do, but if you were to tackle the swap yourself which way would you do it and why?

I admit my swapping experience is limited. I have done changes in a Mini, an MGB, and a Mk3 Ford Mondeo 2.0 (which was actually easier than most people made out oddly enough).

Discuss

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PSH · Sep 9, 2009

This is something that I'm sure I will be doing myself at some point in the future.
Personally I think I'll take it out from the top ( this has been done) I've had to drop the rear torsion bar and move the torque tube back before when doing the clutch and also when replacing all fuel/brake lines , so I'm familiar with this and it wasn't as bad as you may think, droping the front cross member and front suspension is a far bigger task IMHO. Of course it depends on the facilities available and the quality of help too.

Pete

Mike_Pollock · Sep 9, 2009

I did my 83 8v from underneath but I was also changing front shocks. Ive not taken t tube out but i did find the gearbox awkward to say the least!
If you have time and a well equipped garage from the top prob easiest.
Mike

timboukvw · Sep 9, 2009

I took the engine out of the top on my breaker and it was a nightmare!!! I still had to drop cross member to clear the sump. must admit i didn't move gearbox etc but can't see this would give you much more room at the bit that fits into the clutch is pretty long as it is. I've pulled a few engines in and out and the 944 was by far the hardest one i've ever done!

zcacogp · Sep 9, 2009

Gearbox and TT are not hard to move, just time-consuming. But it's all very obvious what needs to come off from where.

When I took an engine out of a 928 we took it out of the top. It was a prize fiddle making enough space to get it out (and more of a fiddle to get it back in), but it seemed alot easier than coming out of the bottom. I'm not sure how comparable this is with the 944.

As has been said, it probably depends alot upon what facilities and friends you have.

Oli.

JamesO · Sep 9, 2009

I took one out of the top but it wasn't easy and the engine I replaced it with had the extra pulley for power steering. I had to remove the pulley to clear the bonnet catch.
When I do it again it will come out the bottom.

homesea · Sep 9, 2009

From the bottom everytime (oh er). Only just comes out from the top and is still tight from the bottom. To be honest I never do another one, pull the rad to stop you stabbing it with the engine.

Mike_Pollock · Sep 9, 2009

I did mine on the drive, hired an engine hoist (also good for lifting the car that bit higher), didnt move the gearbox and took it out of the bottom, but its very tight even with the rad out and no power steering bits. but I think if you move the gearbox back even the lenght of the bolts the drive shaft can move back along the t tube and every mm there counts!

Thats how I'd do it next time if required!

Worst thing is I changed the gearbox a couple of weeks later!

Mike

Neil Haughey · Sep 9, 2009

Bottom definitely. You can drop out the engine, cross member and suspension complete in one big lump. You will need to jack the body shell pretty high though to get clearance.

Make sure you get a balancer bar for the engine crane, makes the job a 1000 times easier as you adjust the attitude of the engine on the hoist, something you will need to do.

Basically for the race car build after talking through all the options Barry has done it, engine out through the bottom, engine in from above.

Seriously after the experience Barry has been through with the race car build, removing and installing an engine is really a much smaller and simpler job then many think.

ChasR · Sep 10, 2009

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

Bottom definitely. You can drop out the engine, cross member and suspension complete in one big lump. You will need to jack the body shell pretty high though to get clearance.

Make sure you get a balancer bar for the engine crane, makes the job a 1000 times easier as you adjust the attitude of the engine on the hoist, something you will need to do.

Basically for the race car build after talking through all the options Barry has done it, engine out through the bottom, engine in from above.

Seriously after the experience Barry has been through with the race car build, removing and installing an engine is really a much smaller and simpler job then many think.

Don't say the last sentence, I'm bound to let myself into a world of pain! (although so far, it's been a joy to work on the 944 (I've changed the wishbone and handbrake spring, something that was a little more arduous to do on previous cars).

So when I do get the engine, out from the bottom seems to be the best way with the rad removed (I forgot to mention that in my first post).