I'm looking for opinions - does it come out the top or the bottom?

At first when it felt like it dropped a cylinder I thought electrical but now it's developed major noise coming from the top end so I'm thinking it ate a lifter or something equally bad. I have a spare beater engine that's almost ready to install. My plan is to pull it out - swap in the beater - then rebuild and reinstall the original motor at my leisure. The goal is to minimize down time since this is my daily driver.

Sooo - if I'm just swapping the engine and not touching anything else should I pull it up or down? Anybody have a web site showing details of going either way? Anyone willing to share general comments about what's involved in going either direction?

Thanks in advance,

Bill
'94 Z28 LT1/A4 (sick)
'09 Type 65 Daytona Coupe (Sick, but in a good way :-) )

 

Bill...I use a device called a happy hooker that bolts to the top of the engine and use my cherry picker to pull from the top. I have pulled 3 out in the last couple years that way and have not had to even remove the hood. Although lots of people prefer from the bottom..either way will work.

Bob

 

I dropped mine from the bottom.

 

Bill, the answer is "Yes"

If you did a search on this topic, it has been debated to death, and I'm not exaggerating. Either way has it's merits and drawbacks.

 

Like Kevin Blown 95 TA said, this has been answered many times. It usually boils down to what tools you have available and what is easier for you as either will work.

 

Everyone says out the bottom is easiest, I did it out the top, however I wanted to do it out the bottom but my help/main mechanic, said top.

 

bottom or top might as well try em both!!

 

I just dropped an LS1 out the bottom last week in under two hours. I've done it out the top once. Never again.

 

The access to the frame/K-member/additional accessories is significant from the bottom. I can see where pulling from the top causes headache in putting back in and not hitting anything. From the bottom, it is just lining up the bolts to the K-member and good to go.

I have done both my F-body and conversion from bottom.

and yes this has been beaten to death.

 

I removed mine from the bottom, but I also replaced the K member so I pretty much had to do it that way. Still, I've pulled motors out from the top and I can say that the other way is easier if you have the means to get the body high enough off of the ground.

 

Out the bottom for sure. I did this out and in by myself but I have a mid-height lift and I used a hydraulic table to lower the engine and pull it out.

Here's a link to some pictures.

Camaro Engine Removal Pics

 

Took ours out from the top. Had no means to lift up the car very high (only have a floor jack). Worked on it in the street in front of the house. Removed transmssion and drive shaft first. Used cherry picker, chains, etc., to lift out the engine. Did not have to remove the hood, but we were able to lift the hood higher by disconnecting the pneumatic hood lifters, and propped up the hood with a broomstick. Had someone hang out near the broomstick to make sure it didn't slip or get knocked around during the removal process...Carefully removed engine on an angle to clear hood, and we were good to go.

It was easier to remove then replace, but we got everything hooked back up in a few hours or so. Lining the tranny up by using a small trolley jack to take most of the weight and musclepower, w/o wrecking the throwout bearing, presented the biggest challenge.

I believe the service manual provides the procedure for removing the engine from the bottom. I infer by that = removing the engine from the bottom is the preferred method. That is provided you have the right tools. We didn't.

 

out the top.engine and trans.even left hood on

 

As you can tell, everyone has their best way of doing this. Me personally, I would say the best for you will depend on the tools that you have at your disposal. If you have access to a car lift AND a cherry picker of some sorts. go out the bottom (for speed sakes) If you don't have the lift but you have a few buddies and only a couple jacks, go out the top. I have done this both ways and I don't really have a preferance as to which I would rather do. To me they are both a pain in the a$$.

One last thing, If you think it will take you, say, 3 hours to pull it, give yourself at least 5 hours. Trust me when I say something ALWAYS comes up !!

Enjoy...

 

Out the bottom is the easiest way.