e21 engine removal

[jshep79]

I am almost ready to remove the engine on my 250 dollar e21. (locked up) I have a donor engine waiting in the wings. My question is should I remove the CIS injector system before I hoist it up? An what is the best way to get it out intact? I have the fuel line disconnected from it and I may reuse it as it works. What about the alternator and AC compressor? Is it a good idea to take this off as well? This is my first BMW engine swap so I apologize for the simplicity of the question and appreciate any insight.

[Tom D]

..... before I hoist it up? ......

you mean before you 'drop it out'.

disconnect fuel, water, and electric between the engine and the body and remove the radiator. unbolt the driveshaft, rear transmission crossmember, swaybar, steering shaft, lower control arms and engine crossmember. lower engine to the ground, lift the chassis over it and drag the engine out from under the car.

[jshep79]

Tom D, Can it be lifted out with the hood off like a 350 in a chevy? I have done all of the above and it definitely will separate from the trans with a little persuasion. I'm not opposed to your method and if thats the best way I'll do it. Thanks for your help

[tlapham]

it can be removed from top or bottom. if you are removing the transmission, the bolts can be difficult to access while in the car. if you are pulling the transmission, easiest to do it together from below, but you have to pull the entire front end off. this includes brake lines, steering rack, and a few other things which end up making more work on things that you otherwise wouldn't have to mess with. A/C probably doesnt work, but if you want to save it in case it does, then it would be best to remove the compressor bracket from the engine.

[pofo]

Dropping the subframe is by far the simplest method but it can come out the top

[jshep79]

Tom the trans is fine so my plan was to leave it in and connected. I'm going to remove the AC compressor and brackets. The AC doesn't work but I will retrofit it to work with R134a coolant and I have a new compressor that came with the car. I live in AZ so it will work again. What about the CIS injector system, is it best to remove that first before I pull out the engine? it seems sort of fragile. I think if I'm careful I can avoid damaging it while I bring it up. Where is the best place to connect the engine hoist on the block? Thanks so much for your insight. Much appreciated

[jshep79]

This was a running driving car about a month ago but the previous owner ran it with 1 quart of oil and killed the engine. He left town for a new job and I bought the car with plans on making it a real nice daily driver. It's rust free and it has never been hit and very straight. It has excellent paint on it still (golf yellow) I found a good engine in Tucson for 75 bucks. I might keep the injector system on it or go with the 2 weber side drafts like my sons 71 2002 has. My initial investment is low so even if I put 3-4k into it I won't be under water.

[mossyoaks]

Got a lift? Drop it on a pallet.
No lift? Out the top.

Keep the injection and renew the rubber bits.
The weber will need some throttle fabrication and will change the dynamics of the e21.

Congrats on your rescue e21! Golf is great!

[OLD MAN]

To me the only way to get it out is out the top done it at least 10 times now. If you have a shop or work at a dealership with a two post lift then yes out the bottom can seem easier, but to me as a DIY'er at home, it is out the top every time for me.

Strap up the tranny with a tie down remove radiator, engine fan and all the wires connected to the body and pull it forward and out.

[Retoropak]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jshep79]

Yes, over the top is how I'm going to do it. My donor engine is in fine shape with a recent rebuild and just the head needs to be rebuilt for good measure. Since the engine is out of a 73 2002 I'm going with a dual weber setup.
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[MortyCrock]

Yes, over the top is how I'm going to do it. My donor engine is in fine shape with a recent rebuild and just the head needs to be rebuilt for good measure. Since the engine is out of a 73 2002 I'm going with a dual weber setup.
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Man, I don't know why I love Golf so much... but I do. Great looking car!

[JBasham]

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[jaredmac11]

Damn thats snug!

[lsvco.]

Damn thats sexy!

Fixed that for ya (;

Wish I had a front mounted distributor. Definitely makes for a cleaner bay.

[jaredmac11]

Hell yea it looks good. Did you get that in without too much scuffing, bending, twisting of the body? Shit I had problems with my 4cyl; M10 and M42. Im installing the trans from the bottom to make sure I dont scuff up the new engine bay paint.

[1rdmanahan1]

you mean before you 'drop it out'.

disconnect fuel, water, and electric between the engine and the body and remove the radiator. unbolt the driveshaft, rear transmission crossmember, swaybar, steering shaft, lower control arms and engine crossmember. lower engine to the ground, lift the chassis over it and drag the engine out from under the car.

Tom is correct. Drop it out. It's much easier. Kindest regards,

[JBasham]

Hell yea it looks good. Did you get that in without too much scuffing, bending, twisting of the body? Shit I had problems with my 4cyl; M10 and M42. Im installing the trans from the bottom to make sure I dont scuff up the new engine bay paint.

Very, very minor scraping, of no consequence. Bottom removal and replacement would have been easier, except that I was morally opposed to removing the front subframe.

[Tom D]

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now if i can only figure out how to install an engine right side up.

[jaredmac11]

I would do it bottom up if I had a strong hoist in my garage. Instead I just disconnect the trans and install the engine from the top and the trans from the bottom. We work with such small trans its really no issue pushing it in from the bottom. Got it down to a science and it takes about an hour. I did not have an easy time pulling the M10 out. That took more than a few hours and took some cutting too, so hats off to folks that do that well.

[Heretic E21]

I left the trans in and pulled mine out the top.

[jshep79]

Mine is coming out tonight. What's the best points to attach the lift chain? Thanks for the great information.

[jshep79]

The engine is out. Over the top and it came out like butter. Doing a little cleanup before installing the new one. mltCKNYeQte1DwP3+dBmOw.jpgyDhpn2xaRt6axYcP63r3ZA.jpg