Long story short, I'm pulling out my '88 245 engine for a rebuild. It's got 204k miles on it (barely broke in) but it's got leaks all over. Okay, whatever. I'll pull it and fix the leaks on MY terms, not when I really, really need the car. Annnnd since it's out, might as well fix _everything_ on it while I'm at it.

Anyways, let's start at the top: Is it necessary to remove the hood to remove the engine+tranny? It's not the biggest fish I got to fry...just the one I'm thinking about right.

Thanks,
-Chris
--
88 245 DL (202k miles) | 98 S90 (92k miles) | 98 V70 AWD (101k miles)

On my 940 and previous 740 there is a lever at each hinge that can be turned. It unlocks the hinge to allow the hood to be opened all the way so it sits straight up. Isn't this on the 240's also? That way you would not need to remove the hood.

Yeah, I wish. My '98 S90 does this trick. Not so on the 240 though. Too bad.

-Chris
--
88 245 DL (202k miles) | 98 S90 (92k miles) | 98 V70 AWD (101k miles)

WoW! Thanks for all the fast responses guys. Love that Brickboard!

Buttervolvo: I with ya on the picture thing. Already got loads taken, planning on more as I go. I've got ziplocs and manila tags for part indentification and storage. Toying with writing a picture tutorial for the web. Still toying with that one though. One question though: how hard was it to line the hood back up?

6 Volvos: Wow! Great pic! Got any more? I also notice that you removed the radiator, grill, and fwd hood mount. Oh...got any more pics? :-)

mbliss: I've never taken a car engine out either. But I am a (darn good) helicopter mechanic. If I can take a multi-million dollar aircraft down to the bones and back up again...I can make this work! ***crosses fingers anyways*** LOL

And to all others who posted for/against the hood removal: thanks. I think I'm going to remove the hood just to ensure that I have enough room. I can "store" the hood back on the car while the engine is being worked on. Besides, I've got lots of cleaning to do under there!

Thanks again,

-Chris
--
88 245 DL (202k miles) | 98 S90 (92k miles) | 98 V70 AWD (101k miles)

Hood re-alignment

I will admit it is easier to take off than it is to
put back on. Before you unbolt the hood, mark
or scribe around the hood hinges where they
attach to the hood so you will be able to get
pretty close to where they were bolted before.
It can be challenging holding the hood and starting the
bolts all at the same time, but it's a lot easier than
removing the flexplate to torque convertor bolts - find
a good 6-point box wrench with a healthy offset.
The wrong tool will make you miserable, don't ask how I know.
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most difficult) I
would rate the hood removal at about a 3. Separating
the transmission from the engine could be 5-7 depending
on who was in there before you.

Good luck!

--
1990 240DL - 185K, 1994 850 Wagon - 140K, 1989 Ranger 235K

I pulled the motor in my 1990 244 this past December.
I took the hood off - one less thing to worry about, it's
a five-minute job and you will need an assistant.
I have heard some people say that it is not necessary.
I had to raise the hoist up pretty high to get it out of there.

Pull the engine and the tranny out together - it will come
out at a pretty steep angle, you will find it helpful to have the
car up pretty high off the floor. Follow the directions in the
Bentley book for removal, it's helpful.
If you can take a picture of how the wiring harness is routed
through the engine compartment, and more importantly around
the engine and intake manifold - I would take lots of pictures
BEFORE you unplug everything. Vacuum routing may be helpful
as well. Ziploc bags work well to label all the bolts that you
take out - you will be happy you did when you go to put it
back together again.

Have fun with it, it's a great motor to work on.


--
1990 240DL - 185K, 1994 850 Wagon - 140K, 1989 Ranger 235K

Now's a good time to put those summer tires on! Use the winter ones for jack stands. :)

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)

One way to find out is to try. But for fastest, easiest removal, take the hood off. With one person helping you it takes a couple of minutes.
--
'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

Removing the engine is not a job I'd attempt, but removing the hood is really easy by comparison ...

--
'81 GLT 245 W/245K; '83 DL 175K

i have done it with out the hood removed....