engine and drivetrain engine install with or without tranny; that is the question

[billpatterson]

Hi there

There are several posts regarding installing the engine, many tips and lessons. I am asking the question to gain further insight into the question; not what method is right or wrong. This is more of a poll asking what you'd do...and gain more fellow '02er support and wisdom. I think what is holding me up is that I removed the engine with tranny attached and would love to install it the same way including the shifter; but I fear banging up the painted engine compartment, shifter, etc. I think the best approach is engine first, tranny second (maybe with shifter attached maybe not).

Thanks for your input!

Bill

[nbristow01]

I have always pulled my engine and reinstalled wthout the tranny. Just set the tranny in place. Also that way you can leave the hood on and drop the motor in from the side. Have done it several times and it is very easy

[Guest_anonymous]

Have always removed and installed engine sans tranny from the top, going on number 5. Installed 5 speed from below with engine in bay. If I were to install as a unit I would opt for dropping the subframe. From the top shifter should come off to ease the angle.

Daron

[BillWilliams]

I realize it was not one of your options, but I go bottom up.

Takes out the pain of mating the transmission, scratching stuff and putting that blasted hood back on.

A video.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,0/page,viewtopic/p,958268/highlight,/sid,a5ec371e41e0c90fe110959fb3ae18fc/

An FAQ for guidance

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,0/page,viewtopic/p,555359/sid,52e6790227c8da1f8ce22176f4040a7e/

[Russell74Fjord]

I like bottom up, and if the head is off , even easier, since you don't have to ge the car up so high, regardless, the factory installed them bottom up, so it must be the better way! Tranny attached,

[GreenSwede]

Did it from the top with tranny on. No hood, no shift linkage. But long-as-tranny-headers on. No problem, just had a few blankets on fenders,firewall and front. Radiator out.

Will probably drop sub frame next time though, seems cleaner.

[c.d.iesel]

it depends on your conditions :

if your on your back, jack, jack stands, no help

then motor first from top, add transmission from bottom

- shifter platform assembled last after motor

and trans are in place

if your in a proper repair shop - like Bill said,

subframe off, motor and trans together assembled

to the subframe, lower car on lift a little, raise

motor/subframe/trans up as a unit in to the car

this is going on a few treads from yours-

does it help you understand ?

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,375841/sid,e96f890af47773cf271c6184f88be9b0/

[fast2002]

Bill, sent you a question about the spark plug wires holder made from alumiun that's on your 2002. Any details on it how was it made and any more photos, Thanks great looking cars.

[jerry]

if you are willing to remove your hood, i would install the tranny to the engine first. 4spd or 5spd doesn't matter. include the shifter too. one must-have item, though is one of those nice engine tilters that allow you to tilt the engine during installation. remove the distributor, radiator and exhaust manifolds prior. i extend the arm of the cherry lift out as far as possible to get maximum height. during installation, you will actually coordinate lowering, untilting and rolling the entire cherry picker to and fro to guide it in there. it's actually a lot of fun and can be done without damage if you think about what you are doing and finesse it in there. knowing that you won't be on your back trying to line up the splines and bolting the tranny up is a good reason to do them as a duo.

btw, there are alignment bolts you can fab to help line up the tranny for bolting to the engine block.

[billpatterson]

That's no HT lead holder. That's a heat shield for header manifold. Got it from Ireland Engineering though common item.

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/2002-exhaust/02exgasket.html

Regards,

Bill

[Zorac]

with tranny on, but take all the shift linkage off, i couldn't get mine in with the linkage on. i did it without a hood from the top.

[jgerock]

with tranny on, but take all the shift linkage off, i couldn't get mine in with the linkage on. i did it without a hood from the top.

I like your tranny diaper idea~! Helps prevent scarring during installation.

[sislane]

This was pretty easy, and did it alone, although a second set of hands would have been a huge help lining things-up.. Very quick.

[billpatterson]

Hi Zorac

That is exactly how I got it out. I lean somewhat that direction to reinstall it but I fear the bumps and scrapes. I think I'm going the safer route though it has more steps; engine, transmission, shifting floor. I think fellow 02ers have been innovative and have developed tools to help one slip the transmission on (threaded bolts as guides), a clutch alignment tool, and a small rolling jack.

Thanks for the input, 02ers! I'll post some pictures when this step is done.

Regards

[KFunk]

I've done it engine+5-speed all at once through the top, with no fancy leveler, by myself (OK, 2 girls in the house to hear if I screamed).

It's a close fit, and proper angle is important. I made the engine kind of 'feel' its way down into place, but my car is beat up and ugly......Yeah, if I had a show car, I'd worry about bumps and scrapes. Especially at the front and back, top of the engine bay. If you take your time, had a nice leveler, put some padding in the proper places, and had a friend spotting for danger points and positioning it by hand, you could probably get through relatively scratch free. As with all expensive things though, it'll be tense moments... all the more reason to not worry about having a shiny car.