97 engine removal

[limige]

started prepping the van for engine removal due to a broken cam shaft.

looking for tips and trips. it's coming out the bottom in the cradle. doing it in the driveway with a cherry picker. any tips where to hookup to, to lift the body off? anything else to look for that could be a pain?


so far, coolants drained
gas lines are off
most of the harness is off
exhaust has been dropped
battery disconnected
intake hoses are off
throttle cables off
trans shift cable is off

i know the heater lines need to come off, but i haven't seen them yet.
i expect the steering knuckle is splined and not bolted, it should slide right out right?!

what to do about the AC?
ABS harness need to come off or can it be disconnected up high?


thanks
mike

[limige]

ok, pulled the wheels off yesterday, brakelines off, abs harness's off and took the nuts off the struts.

still gotta disconnec the AC lines and tranny lines
currently making up a roll cart that will sit just over the legs of the cherry picker. and a bar on the picker to spread the chains so i'm lifting straight up.

[limige]

well, 40 views no replys...i'm guessing alot of you are curious and few have done it.


so here we go.

found out theres a bolt on the steering knuckle to remove, 11mm head heater hoses can be done after the moter has cleared them , not by much though.

first you'll need a set of rims and tires to put under the rear wheels for stability and height. this allows it to pivot without tipped or rolling problems. i used some 16x8 rims from my camaro.


ok to do it you need a cart that sits above the legs of your cherry picker by an inch or so. it must be over 30" long front to back to catch the cradle. height can be made up with wood.

next i made a bar up to spread my chains out 30" across so i was pulling straight up with them, i used 5/16 chain with hooks on one and and those removable links that screw together.


next construct some stands from 4x4 or even 2x4 so they are 12-15" high for your jackstands to sit on top of.


remove your inner fender on the front side of each wheelwell to see where your hooks need to be positioned.


once everything is diconnected from the engine and the rear wheels are on the tires go ahead and hookup your chains and lift the vehicle high enough to remove the jackstands, be sure your cart is in place before hooking up the cherry picker and chains.

once the jackstands are clear lower the vehicle until the cradle rest on your cart. remove the 4 cradle bolts with an 18mm socket, the two top engine mounts and the 4 strut bolts. once thats done lift the vehicle with the cherry picker. be sure to check now and agiain for anything binding or not disconnected.


once you are high enough to clear the engine stop and put your wood risers and jackstands under the vehicle. lower it until it rest firmly and disonnect the harness going to the backside of the motor. remove the cherry picker and then move out the cradle.


reattach the cherry picker and lift vehicle to remove the wooden risers. set the vehicle back down on the jackstands.

any questions?