My Sister's 2001 Saturn SW decided to put it's #1 connecting rod through the side of the block. I've found a junk yard that has a SW with 53,000 miles on it.I'm going to pull the engine on my Sister's car and replace it with the one from the junk yard. I've been looking at the car, and it looks as if I can just pull the engine from the top.One of my Sister's friends, who claims he is a mechanic, says the only way I'll get the engine out is to drop the front sub-frame and take the engine out from the bottom.Can I pull the engine out from the top, or is my Sister's friend correct?
Edited by: sw2cam

 

I always remove the engine from the top when doing a swap at home. Your sister's friend might want to find another line of work, because he obviously is an idiot. It is possible to remove the engine from the bottom too, but the average person lacks a vehicle lift in the garage at their house.

What year engine are you picking up? You dont have to get an engine out of another SW.





Edited by: Low Saturn

 

The engine I'm getting is from a 2001 Saturn SW exactly like my Sister's car. It was hit from the rear and totalled. The engine is still in the car, and I started it. The junk yard is going to pull that engine for me.

I've pulled engines before, but this is the first time I'm going to pull one out of a FWD. Can I pull the engine out and leave the transmission in the car?

My sister's mechanic friend wants to do it, and, of course, charge her accordingly. Edited by: Timmn1

 

Its faster and easier to pull both out together. Then seperate and reattach them outside the car.

 

Thanks, I was kinda hoping I wouldn't have to mess with the drive axles.

 

You still have to remove the axles. Its not hard to do. Its actually pretty easy.

 

Low Saturn is right, I have pulled out the top both ways, only the automatic trans can split and come up separately, engine must come up first, part of auto trans actually fits between frame members on driver''s side. Trans input shaft is too long to separate on manual trans. Raise front end and set on heavy duty jack stands where power cradle is bolted to body. Mark struts and remove wheels. Drain trans fluid before pulling axles, or you''ll have a big mess. I you have digital camera, take good pictures of wiring harness and support brackets on back side of engine before pulling engine. Take fender wells out and remove lower trans mount, crank pulley and engine support brackets, otherwise it won''t clear the upper frame member. Dropping the cradle out the bottom is faster and easier IF you have the specialized (and expensive) lift equipment. The pictures sent by Low Saturn show a lift balancer bar in use, highly recommended, you can get one from Harbor Freight, makes balancing the engine/trans combo easy and facilitates the angles necessary to lift passenger side of engine first. Take your time and it will work. Good Luck.

 

I''ve done this so many times, I can have an engine out and on the ground in under an hour.