How to correctly lift in the engine

[Barry.b]

Hi guys

I am hoping to lift and drop in my engine this week.
I don’t have a load lever unfortunately so I am wondering if anyone knows where approximately is the point I should lift it so that it hangs nicely to drop into the engine bay .
I will be using a block and tackle hanging from a beam above the car with slings or chains maybe, so it’s not the most user friendly setup, so any advice in advance would be a great help.
Thanks.

 

[JFENG]

Why not invest $59 in. Hoist leveler? Or borrow one from local car enthusiasts? Makes the job easier

 

[Stevehose]

Having just done this 2 days ago, a leveler is a must, especially the more peripherals that are pre-installed. However, if you were to estimate the tilt for a fixed system, I say my engine front ended up being about 30 degrees higher than horizontal.

 

[Barry.b]

Hi guys
Thanks for the advice
I might phone around tomorrow to see if I can get my hands on a load lever.
Most suppliers are closed for the holidays over here so I might have to borrow one ( if I can)
Thanks

 

[Barry.b]

One more thing
Is it better to mount the new engine mounts to the engine first or are they better mounted to the subframe first ?

 

[Barry.b]

Having just done this 2 days ago, a leveler is a must, especially the more peripherals that are pre-installed. However, if you were to estimate the tilt for a fixed system, I say my engine front ended up being about 30 degrees higher than horizontal.

Hi stevehose.
Did you drop the engine in without the transmission attached ?

 

[Stevehose]

Hi stevehose.
Did you drop the engine in without the transmission attached ?

Yes, just the clutch and pressure plate were on. No way to keep tranny on without a leveler.

 

[Stevehose]

One more thing
Is it better to mount the new engine mounts to the engine first or are they better mounted to the subframe first ?

I mounted mine loosely on the subframe but with a nut on the underside then I lowered the engine onto them. Keeping them loose allows for easier guidance onto the studs of each.

 

[Breiti]

Why you don't fit it un from below with the cradle?
Much better to avoid scratches...
That's just 4 break houses and a steering column away....
I do that every time that way.

Breiti

 

[Barry.b]

Hi Breiti
My garage is a bit on the small size and
I don’t have a lift for the car so unfortunately that’s not an option for me .
Thanks for the advice though.

 

[dang]

Hi Breiti
My garage is a bit on the small size and
I don’t have a lift for the car so unfortunately that’s not an option for me .
Thanks for the advice though.

I just did this with my NSX last week, although that's the only way you can do it. Car on high jack stands, lower engine/trans/subframe onto cradle, lift car with hoist to slide cradle out, lower car back onto stands. It was a lot easier than expected. Barely had enough room for the lift.

 

[Barry.b]

I just did this with my NSX last week, although that's the only way you can do it. Car on high jack stands, lower engine/trans/subframe onto cradle, lift car with hoist to slide cradle out, lower car back onto stands. It was a lot easier than expected. Barely had enough room for the lift.

My god
And I thought there was a lot of wiring to be connected on a csi

 

[Jon B]

I don’t have a load lever unfortunately so I am wondering if anyone knows where approximately is the point I should lift it so that it hangs nicely to drop into the engine bay .

Barry, would some measurements of this be helpful?

 

[Barry.b]

Hi jon
Yes measurements would be really great if you were able to get them !!
Thanks

 

[Jon B]

Yes measurements would be really great if you were able to get them !!

Barry, let me know what measurements you want...

 

[sfdon]

We have done a lot of engines over 20 years.
Leave the hood on.
No accessories
Left front wheel off. It's important
Jack midway down frame rail
Come from the Drivers side with the cherry picker
Don't install the flywheel or clutch.
Water pump ok- no damper or pulleys
No leveler.
Rubber motor mounts are attached very loosely to engine mounts on block.
Chain attached to front shackle by water pump and bolt hole for starter

It's a 30 minute job. 2 people

Tranny and flywheel and clutch go in afterwards

 

[Jon B]

Don, this is terrific advice, thanks!

I don't think Barry has a cherry picker, or the room to use one. He'll be using an overhead beam in his small garage.
He might need to give us more information on his situation, and to what degree his engine is assembled.

I don't know if the measurements of my device are helpful either, but I can provide them if he thinks so...

 

[Barry.b]

Don, this is terrific advice, thanks!

I don't think Barry has a cherry picker, or the room to use one. He'll be using an overhead beam in his small garage.
He might need to give us more information on his situation, and to what degree his engine is assembled.

I don't know if the measurements of my device are helpful either, but I can provide them if he thinks so...

Hi jon
Thanks for the measurements, I can already see the dimensions from your tape which is great.
Just wondering is that plate approximately 4” x 1/2”. Perhaps ? ( I’m just guessing)

 

[Oldbmwcoupes]

I just did this with my NSX last week, although that's the only way you can do it. Car on high jack stands, lower engine/trans/subframe onto cradle, lift car with hoist to slide cradle out, lower car back onto stands. It was a lot easier than expected. Barely had enough room for the lift.

Why would you have to take Honda engine out? Isn’t that activity only reserved for non- Honda or Toyota cars?

 

[Barry.b]

We have done a lot of engines over 20 years.
Leave the hood on.
No accessories
Left front wheel off. It's important
Jack midway down frame rail
Come from the Drivers side with the cherry picker
Don't install the flywheel or clutch.
Water pump ok- no damper or pulleys
No leveler.
Rubber motor mounts are attached very loosely to engine mounts on block.
Chain attached to front shackle by water pump and bolt hole for starter

It's a 30 minute job. 2 people

Tranny and flywheel and clutch go in afterwards

Hi Don
I think the true answer to my question is perhaps don’t do it in my garage .
Anyway thanks for the advice.
I am probably going about it the wrong way, as I don’t have a cherry picker , engine crane or load lever.
I have a lifting beam some slings , shackles , chains and a block and tackle.
I am going to try and hang it at approximately 30 degrees as suggested and hopefully it should drop in carefully and relatively smoothly.
Thanks for the pics of where the brackets live and thanks again for the advice.