Choosing the right place to work is extremely important. In addition to space for the car, you will need space to carry out the work. If it is not possible to carry out repairs at a service station or in a garage, then at least a free, level area with asphalt or concrete pavement will be required.
Cleaning the engine bay and engine before beginning the removal procedure will help keep your tools clean (see illustrations 6.1 and 6.2).
6.1. Insulate the parts that must not be exposed to moisture, then apply a degreaser spray to the engine surfaces. Particularly generous treatment should be given to oily areas such as the valve cover joint and the lower edge of the cylinder block. If the oily surface dries out after applying the product, treat it again
6.2. Wait until the degreaser is absorbed, then rinse it off together with the dissolved dirt with water from a hose. Direct the stream of water from the hose to all accessible areas. After this, dry all the elements that should not remain wet with an electric hair dryer or damp paper towels
To remove and then install the engine in the engine compartment, you will need an electric hoist or winch. Make sure that the class and safety factor of the lifting equipment is suitable for the weight of the engine and attachment. When removing an engine from a vehicle, safety is of the utmost importance.
If you are not completely sure that you have sufficient experience to perform the procedures described, it is advisable to involve an assistant in the work. It is very useful to consult with a more experienced mechanic. It is often quite difficult to perform procedures that require removing the engine from the vehicle alone.
Plan your renovations in advance. Before starting work, provide yourself with all the necessary tools and equipment (see illustrations 6.3 and 6.4). In addition to the hoist, you will need the following to remove the engine: a heavy-duty hydraulic jack, the wrench and socket set described at the beginning of this guide, blocks of wood, and enough cloths and solvent to wipe up any spilled oil, coolant, and fuel. If you plan to rent a lift, agree on this in advance and perform all possible operations that can be carried out without it. This will help you save money and time.
6.3. Select a winch with a lifting capacity that will allow the engine to be extracted and removed from the engine compartment. To change the engine position angle during removal or installation, it is necessary to use an additional device similar to the one shown in the illustration
6.4 Before performing work, ensure that the stand on which the engine is mounted is sufficiently stable. Do not use three-wheeled stands, as they are much more likely to tip over than four-wheeled ones
Plan to not use your car for a certain amount of time. Work that requires the use of special equipment should be entrusted to service station specialists. It is also necessary to take into account the density of the work schedule of such a station and consult with professionals before removing the engine to estimate the time required to restore the elements of the power unit.
When removing and installing the engine, certain safety requirements must be observed - careless actions can result in serious injury. When planning the timing of the work, it is necessary to take into account not only the implementation of basic repair procedures, but also the need to perform many additional operations.
(Original version of the article on the website: «CHEVYMAN»)