Need advice pulling an engine

[Dave_G]

I'm trying to pull the engine from a '91 iX (not my current driver -- this is on a parts car). It's stuck, and I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what I'm missing.

I've got everything disconnected -- A/C and power steering, fuel lines, all the wires, clutch line (it's a manual), the harness is pulled through the firewall, etc. etc. The transfer case is off the rear of the transmission (as well as both drive shafts), and so is the transverse support. Both front axles are out. The shifter is disconnected from inside.

The motor mount nuts are off, and with an engine crane I can lift the engine just high enough to clear the motor mounts, and engine/transmission floats freely. But after a couple inches of lift, the top of the transmission hits the tunnel, and the crane just starts lifting the chassis off the ground.

I want the back of the transmission to drop, but the back of the head gets lodged against the firewall so it can't. It's like the engine is too far back to tilt, but it's actually an inch or so forward of the motor mounts now.

Has anyone been in this situation before? How did you solve it? I'm thinking of just dropping the subframe, which would be a pain, but I can't think of anything else.

[Balleristic31]

Is the ground strap disconnected?

[Dave_G]

Is the ground strap disconnected?

Yup, it's disconnected too. (That was one of the "etc."s for things I couldn't remember to list. :) )

[Dave_G]

I'm thinking of just dropping the subframe, which would be a pain, but I can't think of anything else.

Actually, Plan B will be to remove the transmission first, but it bugs me because everyone says you can pull the engine & transmission together.

[Dave_G]

Ha! These guys are going through the exact same thing that I am, and using the same techniques that I've been trying, except that they were eventually successful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUCA83se5eE

I guess I just need to keep trying.

[noid]

Are you using an engine leveler on your crane?

With your rad removed you should be able to push the combo forward and then tilt.

I was able to re/re my engine/transmission from the side, you should have no problem doing it from the front.

[Dave_G]

Are you using an engine leveler on your crane?

Yes, but currently it's cranked all the way forward to allow as much backwards tilt as I can get.

With your rad removed you should be able to push the combo forward and then tilt.

Yeah, I was trying to push the whole combo forward, but unfortunately my garage is tiny and cramped, and I don't have a lot of room to work with. I might try relocating the table that's currently in the front of the garage just to get more room.

I was able to re/re my engine/transmission from the side, you should have no problem doing it from the front.

Thanks for those pics. What did you fasten the rear chain to?

[noid]

Attached.

[EyExR]

I've always detached the tranny from the engine on my 91 iX. I'm scratching my head wondering how you're going to do it with the subframe still on...

Might be easiest to just drop everything to the ground on a couple of dollies and lift the front of the car and roll the entire assembly out.

[Supratreo]

What are you guys using to hook that hole? I'm also in this boat. I can pull the old motor around the intake mani but my new motor has a nicely painted mani so I don't want to damage it.

[EyExR]

What are you guys using to hook that hole? I'm also in this boat. I can pull the old motor around the intake mani but my new motor has a nicely painted mani so I don't want to damage it.

I used chains with nuts and washers and put a durable blanket between the rear of the manifold and the chain where they could make contact. Then just took it real slow and easy.

[rturbo 930]

After reading your first post, my first question was if you're using a load leveler, but I see that you are. Getting both the engine and trans out of an E30 is a bit of a squeeze compared to other cars I've worked on, and no way I could have done it without a leveler. It seems like your problem is that the engine needs to come forward a little bit in order to tilt more. On my E30 (and I assume all others) there is a piece just behind the crossmember that keeps the engine from moving forward in a crash, which could be getting in the way, maybe check on that?

Otherwise, I think maybe some pics or a video would help.

[Kershaw]

Sometimes lowering the nose of the e30 helps to get more angle out too.

[noid]

What are you guys using to hook that hole? I'm also in this boat. I can pull the old motor around the intake mani but my new motor has a nicely painted mani so I don't want to damage it.

Looped the chain through the hole then connected the end of the chain via a quicklink.

[Dave_G]

I've always detached the tranny from the engine on my 91 iX. I'm scratching my head wondering how you're going to do it with the subframe still on...

EyExR nailed it: the problem was the subframe interfering with the oil pan.

Of course the iX oil pan is different, but I hadn't realized that it was its different shape that was causing the problem. When I looked closer I could see that as I raised the engine, the front of the oil pan was hitting the subframe about an inch before it would have cleared it. I dropped the subframe, and bingo, the engine/transmission assembly popped right out as slick as you please.

I'm glad I didn't try to pull the tranny first. It was enough of a pain separating it on the garage floor, let alone while it's still in the tunnel. Three different size Torx bolts (two with nuts on the opposite side where the starter is), and one inexplicable 10mm hex bolt screwed in the opposite way (i.e. from the front). What was BMW thinking?

Anyway, this project is done. Thanks for the help.