[KCG]

Pulling/dropping the eng/trans out of my 3rd gen soon. Whats the best way?
I've dropped them out of a 4th gen a few times and would do it that way again, but this is my first 3rd.
what say you ...

[KCG]

Thanks for that pic Chris.

I don't want to be a dumbass and not take everyones advice since I asked for it, but it just seems easier to me to not have to pull any of the engine apart, or wiring up top, or exhaust down below other than disconnecting from the cat.
Remove 6 k-member bolts and trans crossmember and everything just sits there as you lift the body. Obviously all the same hoses, lines, rad have to come out either way.
Someone talk me out of this! lol

I guess maybe the biggest fear I have is scratching the paint on install. This car is being pulled apart for a color change.

[trackbird]

Thanks for that pic Chris.

I don't want to be a dumbass and not take everyones advice since I asked for it, but it just seems easier to me to not have to pull any of the engine apart, or wiring up top, or exhaust down below other than disconnecting from the cat.
Remove 6 k-member bolts and trans crossmember and everything just sits there as you lift the body. Obviously all the same hoses, lines, rad have to come out either way.
Someone talk me out of this! lol

I guess maybe the biggest fear I have is scratching the paint on install. This car is being pulled apart for a color change.

Drop the trans out, it doesn't take that long. You have to pull the driveshaft, torque arm, crossmember and shifter anyway, pull the 4 bolts and pull the trans off of the back of the bellhousing and a few more bolts to knock the starter and bellhousing off (don't forget to pull the clutch slave cylinder off of the bellhousing). The trans is like 92 lbs, I used to drain the fluid, remove the bolts and just pull them out by hand and set them on my chest and then down under the trans tunnel (I was younger then). Pull the 4 nuts to drop the y pipe off of the engine and remove the radiator hoses and radiator, then pull the engine with the clutch and flywheel and balancer in place. An impact gun makes short work of the clutch and flywheel, but it will come out either way. Also, there are ground wires connected to the wiring harness and attached to some of the bellhousing bolts. You're going to want those loose before you start lifting the motor and find out that the harness is still attached solidly to it and now you're having issues getting to the bolts due to the cowl. It can be done, but it's "one more thing".

If you drop the K member, you have to deal with the brake lines. One of which is anchored to the k member under the oil pan (as I remember, it's been a while). I really don't think you'll find that to be easier, and then you get into tearing down the suspension. It's a lot of extra work.