Help with Engine removal

[E30_VT]

I am trying to help my son pull the engine on his 1990 E-30 (with an automatic). He had an encounter with the curb, punctured the oil pan and drove it for a couple of miles. I look at it as a learning experience for him.

We are using the Bentley manual and its not bad, but it has left out some crucial details.

Is it easier to pull the engine/transmission together, or can you separate them at the bell housing?

We have been working under the assumption we can separate them. Our current status is everything has been removed, including the ring gear/torque converter bolts. Is it physically possible to remove the bell housing bolts with the engine/tranny in the car ?

Once out, our plan is to do rings and bearings, I did the valves a year ago.

Any and all help appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[E30m42cab]

I found it very easy to pull the engine with the auto tranny attached. Too much of a pain to undo the bolts around the bell housing. I just undid three of the bolts that hold the driveshaft to the guibo/back of the tranny. Was a fairly easy job. I did it when I was 25 years old, and it was a great learning experience for me. Any questions at all on removing/installing, I'd be happy to help you with.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Removing the bellhousing bolts CAN be done with the engine in the car, but it is a BIG pain in the ass, especially since they are torqued down extremely tight. The guy who did the clutch in my car had to loosen the front subframe bolts to drop the engine a few inches in order to get the clearance to remove the bellhousing bolts.

It really would be much easier to pull the engine and transmission together as a unit.

 

[Doughnut]

Manual transmitions the same, pull out all in one go. the bellhousing bolts around the starter motor are a snatch of a thing to undo while the engine's in the car.

Just remove the radiator and pull the engine and slushy all in one go.

Good luck!

 

[E30_VT]

Thanks guys, we will go for it this weekend.

Mark