Swapping Engine - Tranny on or off?

[kouks]

There is another thread that has developed into this conversation, but wanted to start this thread for this specific subject.

The TIS says to remove the exhaust, drive shaft and tranny before removing the engine. However, I have read several comments by those who have left the tranny in the attached position, and only removed the engine/tranny attach bolts and the torque converter bolts, to remove the engine.

What is the general opinion out there for those who have successfully done the job? I did not see a post on e38.org on engine removal, unless I missed it.

For those who decide not to remove the tranny, what was your methd of removing/installing the engine to avoid damaging the spline or aligning the torque converter.

Thanks all

[redgtocruiser]

Looking for a bump on this thread. Bentley repair manual says to remove the transmission prior to removing the engine. If anybody has a copy of the latest e38 M62TU engine removal TIS please PM it to me. Also interested in others feedback on this job and what is the best / cleanest method without doing a done of extra work. I would prefer to leave the transmission in and not remove the front clip.

[clarkitect]

I would think you could leave the tranny on and not remove the front clip. I did this on an E30 no problem and would think you could do it on an E38. You'd need to get the front end up as high as you can and get a leveler on the engine hoist. Need some headroom and a few friends to help.

That said, if I was doing this job on an E38 I think I'd pull the front off. I hate having that weight slung up so high on a hoist.

[clarkitect]

It'd make it a lot easier going back in.

[TxDarth]

Especially if you have access to a lift - disconnect everything under then move to the top and pull...........

[redgtocruiser]

Ok so no clear consensus. Here is my plan, because I do not have access to a lift.

Disconnect everything from underneath. Unbolt transmission from engine. Remove radiator. Loosen up the motor mounts. Slide engine forward and lift up. I want to follow the procedure in this video. Feel free to flame away at the video and tell me why or how it doesn't work as shown.

BMW 740 - E38 engine removal DIY step by step (engine M62TU /B44).wmv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xD3DHMAuFM

[redgtocruiser]

Ok if engine is removed from the car without the transmission what are the steps or things to be aware of for aligning it / reattaching to the transmission?

[Norwegian E38]

put the rear end on jacks, remove the whole front, unbolt exhaust, shaft, linkage, fuel. lift engine, remove driver side manifolds, lift up engine and tranny. easy peasy :)

[redgtocruiser]

Wow look at these clowns. What hacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lUjsSwdI54

[Kurt C]

Kouks,

I'd ask Aquila. That man has an obscene amount of experience removing and installing M62 and S62 motors and transmission, and knows all the tricks to coaxing a motor out of the E38 and E39.

[ConvGeorge]

I had to do mine twice last summer because I got a bad motor the first time. I didn't pull the transmission from the car. It's actually easy to align the transmission and engine as long as your hoist has an engine leveler (cheap at Harbor Freight.) Since the torque converter bolts to the flywheel, once you have the engine and transmission aligned, the torque converter is pretty much aligned in the correct location, too.

I did pull the intake manifold before I did the engine, really helps with access to the bolts in the back of the engine. Also, I removed the exhaust manifolds from the car. The passenger side comes in and out no problem. The drivers side I did with the engine 1/2 way out.

Somewhere in this forum is a post I made with more details about how I did it. I didn't always choose the fastest method, but lots of things I did because I knew I wanted to change parts (like I did all the cooling system gaskets and o-rings while the engine was out.)

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2302845-Just-finished-an-engine-swap-some-tips&p=29300157#post29300157