I owned my 96 mustang gt for a few years now and it's time to remove the engine to take care of my cars cancer rust! I need room to get to the strut tower/frame rail to repair the rust and need room. This will be my first time removing the engine from my mustang and I am wondering what is the easiest way to remove the engine? Should I take the transmission with it? Any information on this would help alot, I plan on yanking the engine this weekend.
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- Thread starter Sn95bythebay
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wmburns
SN Certified Technician
IMO the reason you won't find a consensus on this is that it DEPENDS. It depends upon your set up and available tools. It' also depends upon how much help you have and how much risk that you are willing to take.
For example. Do you have a full car lift? Will you have help? Do you have a load leveler? Do you have a high capacity engine crane? Will you want a "roller" when done?
In my case I would take the engine out and leave the transmission. Why? Because:
For example. Do you have a full car lift? Will you have help? Do you have a load leveler? Do you have a high capacity engine crane? Will you want a "roller" when done?
In my case I would take the engine out and leave the transmission. Why? Because:
- I frequently have to work by myself.
- I have a medium capacity engine crane and I would be concerned about the ability of my crane to lift the engine and transmission combination HIGH enough to clear the radiator core support.
- My load leveler is a cheap Harbor Freight version. Also would be concerned about it's ability to support and level the size and weight of a motor and transmission combination.
- A first class load leveler. Will need to adjust a very heavy and long combination as it comes out to prevent damage as it's removed.
- A high capacity engine crane with high lifting capacity when the boom is fully extended. Don't just look at the crane's lifting capacity but note the capacity when the boom is extended. All will be able to lift enough when the boom is short. Few will be able to do it with the boom extended.
- The correct engine lifting special purpose tools to keep from damaging the valve covers and other parts.
- One or Two "buddies" helping.
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Rent the right cherry picker for the job, high lift, overcapacity, long or short reach etc be safe. It boils down to if you would rather remove more stuff to remove it as a unit or fight the tranny to engine removal/reassemble. I prefer to do it as a unit unless I am in a big hurry and I don't have much help, it is much easier to service the engine and tranny with it out ie dropping pan changing filter/ATF, general inspection, especially rear seal. I also check out the driveshaft and do the u-joints if necessary, my cars always have lots of miles and I hate being stranded for normal maintenance crap. I might be a little OCD with my cars though.
