Should I pull it?

[cat97628]

I am playing with the idea of pulling the motor from my vert to freshen up several different areas that have issues. I know I have an oil leak that I beleive is down low on the engine. I also know I need new motor mounts as well. I will also be installing a powder coated valve cover and intake manifold and ceramic coated exhaust manifolds. I would also like to track down a vacuum leak at the same time. The timing belt also is due for a refresh. Am I at a point where pulling the motor is not a bad idea or am I biting off more than I can chew. I have pulled a couple motors in the past but they were in old Novas and had no where near the amount of electronics. If the motor is pulled what else should I put on the radar to be done. The car is a summer driver only and can be down for a while. I also have most of the tools to pull it other than an engine stand.

[lennon]

sounds like the biggest job you're thinking of tackling is the timing belt, which is easily done in the car. i definitely wouldn't go through the trouble of pulling the motor just to do the stuff you're talking about.

if you think you have a vacuum leak, have a smoke test run before and after, or atleast after, you do the intake manifold.

timing belt, intake and exhaust manifolds is done in a day, or a few days working casually. pulling the motor is a ton more work.

[Joe G]

thats what she said.

[bimmershark]

if you plan on doing that kind of work and have the patience i say pull it..that way (since you say you have an oil leak) you can degrease the motor and clean it up a bit ..thats if its not your daily and its more of a toy ...

[cat97628]

its a toy and i think the pan is leaking. Lots of grease and grime down there. anyone have a writeup on pulling it. It seems like the best way is to pull the trans at the same time through the top. is this still true for an auto?

[twitch]

I dont know about an auto but it was easier for me to remove the shifter linkage and pull the motor and trans from the top but that was just because the starter bolts had nuts that were way to big so I couldnt get a wrench or socket around it to disconnect it and it was getting caught on the block so I couldnt seperate the two.

Just label every sensor well and bag and label all the nuts and bolts. Its really not that bad at all but im to the point where I can pull the motor and put another back in within a few hours on my car. You'll be happier you pulled it to look everything over plus you can take a wire brush to the block and clean and paint it all to look nice as well as give the engine bay a good clean so itll look real nice

[riceh8r]

real beeach to get bell housing off, if you manage to not strip or break the bolts. use a load leveler if you can (@$40). spent 6 hours this weekend cleaning my engine bay. toothbrush, wirebrush, laundry soap and a ton of elbow grease. looks almost new now...