Engine Pull/Replacement

mrt1100 · 12-03-2004, 01:51 AM

Hello, I'm new. I have a 2000 SL2 manual 60K. Being a stupid and incredibly busy student, I let my engine run dry and killed it. In order to avoid wasting money trying to flush the engine, change bearing, etc only to find out that didnt fix it; I bought a used engine (37K) for a very reasonable price.

Here comes the problem. My dad and I are going to do the labor (b/c im poor). The only thing that's more limiting than money for me is time, so I'm hoping one weekend will suffice. I thought I learned a lot about cars growing up with my dad who knows everything about everything (except late model cars with pesty computers). I guess all I really learned was how to hand him wrenches and occasionally how to tell the size of a bolt by looking at it. lol.

So...I was hoping for some advice. From reading wondering forum topics, I've determined the engine can lift up out the top in the manual 2000 SL2. Do you have to leave the transaxle attached and bring it out? How many hours might the switch take total? Any other tips you guys can offer I would love. I'm envious of your all's knowledge.

Thanks.

tristanlee85 · 12-03-2004, 04:54 AM

If you are replacing the engine only, just unbolt the transmision. It stays in there. Now, as for the easiest way...? It's been stated that for auto's, you pull the engine and for a manual you drop the cradle. But, I haven't had experience with a manual so I've always pulled from the top. It took me almost 9 hrs by myself, from start to finish, pull the engine and transmission, bolt the new DOHC engine and tranny together outside the car, drop it back in, and get it running. I've never pulled an engine before, but I do all the other work on my car. So, frequent use of tools + knowing what parts go where and how made it easier. Hopefully this helps.

Satyllac · 12-03-2004, 07:27 AM

When replacing the engine in my 97 SC2 5 speed, we took it out the bottom. Just a few bolts hold the engine subframe in place. Hoist up the front of the car, unbolt the cradle, and lower the engine/transmission combo down (we left them connected). Just make sure you have each and every wire/hose/plug disconnected before lowering the engine/tranny!

tristanlee85 · 12-03-2004, 05:47 PM

Yes, another person with a manual and dropping t out the bottom. That's your best bet.

scottyr94 · 12-03-2004, 05:54 PM

Ok, on my 94 SL1 manual I took the engine out through the top. I'm wondering if it may have been easier to drop it out the bottom. How do you support the whole thing while lowering it and then how do you lift it back in place. You must have to use a couple floor jacks or something.

Satyllac · 12-03-2004, 06:14 PM

Have a couple floor jacks to support the engine, and use an engine hoist to hold the front of the car up.

scottyr94 · 12-03-2004, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satyllac

Have a couple floor jacks to support the engine, and use an engine hoist to hold the front of the car up.

Ummm yeah, hahaha. I was just hoping by dropping I wouldn't have to try and find an engine hoist. Maybe I should just give up on this car and never deal with thats specific "junkyard" again.

nyce · 12-03-2004, 08:41 PM

I have a 95 sc1 manual and when I swapped mines, I took it from the top much easier but also I used straps and wrapped in a way that the engine was titled so I could pull both the tranny and Engine...

Straps are good up to like 500 lbs or so depending on which ones you get....

picksl1 · 12-04-2004, 05:19 AM

i did the swap on mine a few months back....

i had the motor attached to a chery picker, disconnected the trans and undid the 4 bolts on the subframe then realized i wasnt gonna get the car high enough off the ground to get the motor over it....nor would i be able to unhook the motor to bring it out the bottom after gettin the car as high as possible...so i said screw it and pulled it out the top. also when you disconnect all wires, hoses, sensors, etc...LABEL THEM( or at least where you pulled them from) all in all this took me over the course of 2 weeks but only bc i had no real time to work on the project except for 2 full days IE 9-5/6pm with lunch breaks bathroom breaks and store runs to replace broken sockets. also be sure to drian all the fluids before you pull out the motor as well as buy new fluid to replace it. might need some gaskets too. exhasut manifold most likely since you have to detach the header from the motor to pull it out.

i am in no way an experienced mechanic which is why i wanted to learn about the motor swap. i went from a 95 SOHC with 105K miles to a 2002 DOHC with 12K miles.

chrispel · 12-04-2004, 07:39 PM

I have done it many times. On both auto and manual saturns. Remove the hood and take the motor and tranny out of the car with the cherry picker. It takes me to remove the tranny and motor 1-2 hours.