Ever swap an engine by yourself?

The body on my turbo FC isn't in as great a shape as I thought when I bought it. It took a hit to the front, which will require at least a new bumper reinforcement bar, undertray, and possibly a ride on a frame straightener. That I knew when I bought it. However, more worryingly, it looks like the frame rails were used as a lifting point, which is a no-no on FCs. The frame rails are made of thin steel and much of the car's structural integrity is in those rails. This was intended to be a track-day car, so I want the body to be as safe as possible, esp. considering it's already faster than my MS3.

I'm considering finding an engine-less 86-86 RX-7 Sport shell once I sell the luxo-barge GXL, doing an engine swap, then parting out and scrapping the old shell. The closest person who can help me lives 1-1/2 hours away from my home and my work/sleep schedule is wonky, so if I do the engine swap, I'm going to be doing much of it on my own. No garage, either. If I do this it will be in spring since we need the driveway space (my town mandates all cars must be parked in driveways during winter).

Has anyone ever done an engine swap solo? If so, any tips? I'm much handier with a wrench than I was two years ago but this would still be the biggest automotive undertaking I have done. Also, what do you think about maybe cutting out the bent-up frame rails and welding in straighter ones from a donor car? Smart idea, or band-aid on a bullet wound?

I did it in my Miata. Required a load leveler and a 2' crow bar and some time and patience but I did it. Wasn't too bad.

Have a competent body/frame shop look at your frame rails or whatever you are having issues with before you undertake this. You may find that all is well. The FC is a stout chassis.

i parted my cherokee by myself. i used an autozone engine crane borrowed from pseudosport and bought a leveler (a MUST doing it solo), especially since i pulled the engine/trans/tcase all in one bigass chunk. it can be a PITA but with patience and a leveler isnt too bad, good length prybars help too.

i cant imagine a rotary would be very hard by yourself, it's a pretty contained chunk once you get everything disconnected right?

i'm in beverly and my GF lives in haverhill so methuen isnt a big trek for me. let me know when if you decide to do it and would like a hand.

I've done a few swaps solo. Safety first working by yourself. Decent lifts/cherry picker and tools make it easier. I would lean toward a body swap over replacing chassis legs for simplicity sake since both involve yanking the engine but that may just be me. Guess it would depend how good and complete the new shell is with wiring and plumbing.

Whenever working solo, make sure you have a cellphone on your pocket: Operator: 911, what's your emergency? You: {insert obligatory tasteless, humorous, anatomically unlikely description here}

Is there any other way?

I have done plenty of engine swaps by myself on RX-7's,but to be honest with you it is far safer,and quicker to do with a friend. If you want you are welcome to bring it all down here,and we can do it all in a day I bet. I have been shut down on overtime at work,so I have nothing but time,and as long as the snow isn't falling my garage is accessible.

Chris

Ive done engine swaps by myself with the caveat that i get a helper (ANYONE nearby) to run the hoist while i handle whats happening in the engine bay. Doing both at the same time is almost impossible and involves a lot of moving back and forth over the same 3 feet from the hoist to the motor.

Vigo wrote: Ive done engine swaps by myself with the caveat that i get a helper (ANYONE nearby) to run the hoist while i handle whats happening in the engine bay. Doing both at the same time is almost impossible and involves a lot of moving back and forth over the same 3 feet from the hoist to the motor.

The one caveat here would be to make damn sure the helper knows which way to turn the knob, and how much to turn it, AND not to turn it until you specifically tell him/her/whatever to. Saves on the odd smashed hand when you've got yours between the mount and the engine...ask me how I know this...

Vigo wrote: Ive done engine swaps by myself with the caveat that i get a helper (ANYONE nearby) to run the hoist while i handle whats happening in the engine bay. Doing both at the same time is almost impossible and involves a lot of moving back and forth over the same 3 feet from the hoist to the motor.

i've done plenty of engine swaps all by myself- and almost every one of them has been an American V8 of some sort that was made out of cast iron and usually had a transmission hooked up to it.

things actually usually go smoother for me when working by myself.

never used a load leveler either- but i have learned to love my carb lifting plate (which is, i guess, kind of irrelevant when talking about the kinds of cars that are most common on this particular board..).

I've swapped plenty of engines by myself. I can do it in ten minutes or so if I try. But I'm working on aircooled VWs.... :)

robert

I have no idea what you're talking about... I've done most every engine removal/replace solo, which probably numbers in the double digits. I own a cherry picker (got tired of renting them), now own a load leveler but never used it before. The only part that really sucks is getting the engine and trans back together. I don't care what kind of vehicle it is, that task always seems to take forever. I can count on one hand how many have slipped together without endless cussing, and yes, I always use a clutch alignment tool.

The ones that have to come out the bottom (like my Audi) SUCK.

I have done it alone multiple times on everything from a big block chevy to a BWW M3 to a 911. It is all about planning, patience and having a good very fine adjustment hoist with a balance beam (except the 911... which you just lift the car off it).

For your case - at least a rotary won't crush you :)

It is always easier with a 2nd set of eyes so if you have someone - use them.

You will definitely want to use a load leveler if you're alone.

I had a friend drop by to pull the engine and tranny out of a TII that I picked up. I was out for a bit, and by the time I got back he had arrived, unloaded his engine hoist, pulled the engine, packed up, and left. When I got there, he was gone and the engine and trans were sitting on the floor. He does this sort of thing all the time. I do remember him saying that the RX-7 was easy compared to some vehicles he had pulled engines out of.

When I put the SBC and TH350 in the Nova, I had my neighbor helping. I don't think I could have done it solo.

In short, it depends on how much experience you have. If you're a first-timer, it's nice to have an experienced set of hands around. But then again, necessity is the mother of invention, and experience is a great teacher, yadda, yadda. Just don't drop the engine on yer head.

Chris I am in on the party. I swapped the motors in my FC so many times it became a morning no brainier. Engine hoist or block and tackle is a must but two people and a 2x4 can lift a RX motor out (James and I did it several times). Besides we need an excuse to try to get the old guard of the MARX7 group together!!!

I have done several swaps on my own. I used to have a cheap leveler but it broke once while dropping a 350 into a Camaro bashing several parts of the car in the process. Now I uase a good chain on the lift and use a rachet strap from the hook to either the front or rear of the engine to tilt the motor as required. I will probably get another leveler in the near future but it will be a better one and I may add a safety chain to the top of it as a back up. I say go for it but just be careful and take your time when lifting and placing the motor that is not the time to rush.

did it on a Forester, not to bad. My advice is be safe. Almost landed it on my head.

Did it solo on my FD. Only thing I needed a second pair of hands for was for lowering the hoist while I guided the prop shaft back into the trans under the car since I yanked the motor/trans out together.

I need to try one of these "load leveler" things. I've had luck solo (w/o leveler) on: LT1 Corvette (twice) Various neons in various iterations XR4Ti Bmw 535i Bmw E30's (3)

Take your time, drop things SLOWLY, and stop very regularly to make sure nothing is being damaged. I tend to us a jack under the trans (RWD) to help with aligning things as they go together.

A cherry picker is all you need. It was nice to have a friend for a few spots, but a load leveler helps in a pinch.

Cone_Junky wrote: A cherry picker is all you need. It was nice to have a friend for a few spots, but a load leveler helps in a pinch.

That's cheating!!!

Even at the dealership, I normally would do engine swaps all by myself. And that is with just a chain, a few bolts, and the cherry picker.

The only swap I can remember needing help on was this one:

Brian

Yes. A chevy V8. No transmission. No load leveler. The daily driver. No carb plate. Use your feet as a load leveler. I didn't even pull the radiator support. I gave myself a couple of days, though. I think it took half of Saturday and half of Sunday or something like that. While it was out I changed the oil pan gasket and cleaned it a bunch.

Lots. No load leveler but I know what spot on the chain to hook up to, I have it marked now.

I did my Nissan truck and Spitfires several times all by myself. I pull the engine and trans together each time. It will help to have someone there when you put it back in, but its still do-able.