Hey everyone. I'm planning to get started on my engine replacement friday. I don't have a complete guide, so I may end up making my boo boos at the junkyard and trying to avoid them when I do it with my car.

I've seen a few sections of the FAQ that pertain to replacing the headgasket and the transmission/clutch replacement portions both pertain...

My basic steps checklist so far looks like:

Pull sensors, remove accessory belts/accessories, remove exhaust and intake manifolds, remove sensors, remove Distributor, loosen engine mounts, remove bell housing bolts.
Looks like it may be useful to lower the transmission some to get the top 2 transmission bolts.

I looked at the shop space I'll have access to, and it looks pretty decent. I'm not sure I'll have access to air impact tools and u-joints, so it may be all done by hand.

I don't know anything about re-aligning the torque converter or transmission, but I do remember that removing the radiator, intercooler, and AC condenser are supposed to make it easier to remove the engine and transmission as a single unit.... but I don't want to remove the trans.


Woohoo! I can't wait to get to work on the engine. I'll be happy to document what I do and see if I can make something worth putting in the FAQ.

Happy Bricking
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

You will not need to lower the trans to get to the top bellhousing bolts. that will make access worse, not better. All you need is a normal 18mm box wrench. Have dropped 2 trannies out of 700/900 cars in the last month, and the only bolt that is unpleasant from all angles is the upper starter bolt. Requires removal of the intake snorkel, flame trap hose, and (ideally) heater hoses. Then just the 18mm wrench and lots of patience.

You will need to support the front end of the tranny if you intend to pull only the engine. Neither the engine nor tranny is stable and self-supporting by itself in these cars.

John

Thanks John. I figured that I'd need to support the trans a little just to make it easy to separate the engine from it.

After some sleep, I remember the starter bolt is the one that people had trouble with. Thanks for the help.

Happy Bricking
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

Don't forget to prevent the torque converter from falling out when you split them. Some line (cord, rope, etc) across it can help.

On second thought, how do I suspend the engine? The only hook I have is on the front of the engine, and I planned to remove the exhaust and intake manifolds before lifting the engine.

Chains...?
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

Thanks for that piece of advice! I'll see that I don't dent it up by letting it fall out.

Twisted back and incessant rain have put the engine swap on hold until next weekend.
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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

I've looked and looked again at the site and do not see that auto repair is part of their dealio. Also, it seems the only option is to join, and that is not inexpensive.
Do they have lifts? or engine hoists? or...??? PA is a bit far for me but SF is opening soon apparently.
So any more info helpful, thanks Will

They do have an indoor bay, and a fenced in back yard. The engine bay is currently being used for staging to open the SF yard. They didn't tell me that before they signed me up...

They'll give you a free tour if you want to cruise by. From the staging, SF probably won't be open for a while, and they're partnering with people until they take in some membership dues and stuff... so once they're open, they might not have much equipment for a while.

I'll let you know how it goes, but they seem very concerned with liability and safety and the like - including requiring me to take a welding class even though I've taken a full FCAW/Mig/Tig class and earned an A.

They DO have an engine crane. I'll let you know how it goes, probably putting up a post about it.

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1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

With a breaker bar, a regular socket, a wobble joint, and like 3 feet of extensions, the upper starter bolt is gettable from behind the transmission. Still a bear, though.

Many folks pull the trans with the engine.

-Ryan