Pulling Engine/Tranny

[lwasson]

Hey Jim

I think I remember from a recent post that you pulled your engine last year?? I'm probably going to do this in the very near future.

Got any tips on gremlins that be lurking when I do this??

Thanks
louis

[lotusguy]

Hey Jim

I think I remember from a recent post that you pulled your engine last year?? I'm probably going to do this in the very near future.

Got any tips on gremlins that be lurking when I do this??

Thanks
louis

Louis,

I've pulled 4 Esprit engines in my life. Not too many unusual things, except to say that you'll be removing the hatch, so plan on a space for it to avoid damage. Also, you'll need to secure a 'cherrypicker' with an extra long boom and an equalizer. On the Turbos, the only way to get the engine out is to lift it. On S1 and S2's, the engine can come out the bottom.

Be sure to soak the exhaust fasteners with penetrating oil as these will surely be seized. It's a good idea to label all the electrical connections as these can get confusing later on. You need to take the chassis crossmember off in order to get the engine/tranny out, but to eliminate chassis flex once it's out, you want to replace it. This can be tricky without a center punch to align it. Remove all that you can before lifting the engine, especially the carbs and intake manifold, alternator, turbo, vacuum pump, muffler and exhaust pipes, drain all coolant and lubricants. as their weight makes balancing the engine on the hoist a little difficult. Have some bailing wire available to hang the AC compressor and Brake calipers to the side rather than disconnect them and lose your refrigerant and brake fluid. Also, it helps to have 4 other people when you actually lift the engine. They are very helpful in guiding the engine around the fragile body parts when it is free on the hoist, not necessary, but real insurance against body damage.

Plan on changing the motor/tanny mounts, all coolant hoses, vacuum lines and cables (Crossgate, Throttle and Choke) as it will never be easier than with the engine removed.

Also, there is no really good, secure attachement points for a chain, so the best thing to use is a double hooked nylon tow strap. You wrap this around the engine several times and then attach it, via the hook to the hoist chain. Be sure to have a good floor jack as the easiest thing to do is lift the engine (with the car on jackstands) and then remove the jackstands and lower the body once the engine is lifted to drop the rear spoiler and then pull the hoist away w/ engine attached. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[cnh1990]

Tips on pulling the engine?

Fly Jim McFadden, Tim Engel, Keen Young, myself and the rest of the club down to assist you .

It's not that bad. Jim could tell you a lot.

Calvin

[lwasson]

Thanks Jim for the usual helpful and detailed advice.

OK Calvin. So you the gang want to come to the deep south? I'll fatten you guys up on fried catfish, wonderful smoked pork ribs, the best veggies you'll ever eat, fresh sea food and REAL sweet tea. Desserts .... oh man no words could describe'em.

No, I'm not over weight but I sure do exercise a lot. That's the only way I can continue to climb in and out of the Esprit.

Thanks again to all,
louis

[ErnestM]

lwasson said: Thanks Jim for the usual helpful and detailed advice.

OK Calvin. So you the gang want to come to the deep south? I'll fatten you guys up on fried catfish, wonderful smoked pork ribs, the best veggies you'll ever eat, fresh sea food and REAL sweet tea. Desserts .... oh man no words could describe'em.

No, I'm not over weight but I sure do exercise a lot. That's the only way I can continue to climb in and out of the Esprit.

Thanks again to all,
louis

Don't forget the "Belles"

ErnestM

[lotusguy]

ErnestM said:

lwasson said: Thanks Jim for the usual helpful and detailed advice.

OK Calvin. So you the gang want to come to the deep south? I'll fatten you guys up on fried catfish, wonderful smoked pork ribs, the best veggies you'll ever eat, fresh sea food and REAL sweet tea. Desserts .... oh man no words could describe'em.

No, I'm not over weight but I sure do exercise a lot. That's the only way I can continue to climb in and out of the Esprit.

Thanks again to all,
louis

Don't forget the "Belles"

ErnestM

Did someone say 'Belles' y'all...???

[lwasson]

Watch it Yanks. Don't mess with our Belles.

[sydneyse]

I'm looking at doing this rather soon.. have been putting it off... Is is easier to pull the motor & transmission as one unit or as a motor by itself??

[lotusguy]

sydneyse said: I'm looking at doing this rather soon.. have been putting it off... Is is easier to pull the motor & transmission as one unit or as a motor by itself??

Syd,

It's much easier to pull it as a unit. Lotus does not even allow for removing them separately, but it is possible as I have done it twice. Still, when removing either the motor or tranny separately, you must loosen the mounts on the other and lift it too albeit slightly. Happy Motoring! Jim '85TE

[cnh1990]

Louis,
Already went out with Belle from your area years ago, Ocean Springs I recall. Somewhere near Pascagoula. Did I spell that right? I think she went to school at I think Mississippi college for women or something like that? She had a different flirty style on had to get used to. Also a knew a guy in my younger years was from New Orleans that introduced me to cajun cooking. I recall a Lotus dealer I used to chat to in a town called Metairie, La or something like that in
the late 70's-early 70's.
Calvin

[lwasson]

Hey Calvin

You are a much better speller than I am. You did spell it right. Flirty is a good descrption of a true Belle. Something tells me I'm going to get in trouble for saying that. In their defense they're not all thay way. They're pretty cool. Don't forget we men have our Bubba's.

I'm trying remember the owner of that dealership Joe Something. Arrrrgh...Its right on the of my tongue!!
He used to live here in Starkville. Owned a radio station and drove a Ferrari Daytona, a fantastic classic.

Jim, I saw a web site where only trans was pulled. I believe its on Esprit Fact File under Procedures. They supported the engine with blocks since the trans is also a mounting point. But I will follow your advice and pull the engine/tranny as one unit.

louis

[lotusguy]

lwasson said: Hey Calvin

You are a much better speller than I am. You did spell it right. Flirty is a good descrption of a true Belle. Something tells me I'm going to get in trouble for saying that. In their defense they're not all thay way. They're pretty cool. Don't forget we men have our Bubba's.

I'm trying remember the owner of that dealership Joe Something. Arrrrgh...Its right on the of my tongue!!
He used to live here in Starkville. Owned a radio station and drove a Ferrari Daytona, a fantastic classic.

Jim, I saw a web site where only trans was pulled. I believe its on Esprit Fact File under Procedures. They supported the engine with blocks since the trans is also a mounting point. But I will follow your advice and pull the engine/tranny as one unit.

louis

Louis,

Like I said, it is possible to pull the trannyas a separate unit, but not the engine. Even when doing this, you have to disconnect all the ancillaries and do the actual separation of the two 'pieces' once both are slightly raised. This is because there is no room available for fore/aft movement and so you cannot separate the bell housing sufficiently that it will clear the clutch cover (pressure plate). Raising both slightly at an up angle allows this separation. But, it is really fairly difficult due to tight clearances. You will still need to disconnect the half shafts and rear brake calipers etc. so pulling it as a unit allows you to work on both pieces, makes proper realignment much easier. This is especially true if it's your first time. I have sucessfully rmoved the tranny without completely removing the engine twice, but you really don't save much work if any. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE