to pull or not to pull the motor

[trls063]

got a s13 with an s14 engine and transmission, and my clutch is done for... gotta put a new one in, but even if i could drop the engine and transmission at an angle, i couldn't even get to two or three of the bolts on the bellhousing. . . should i pull the engine out to change the f'n clutch?????? anyone got any advice??

[exhsturbine]

its just my personal opinion, and my ability to pull it. it would take me less time. and less time on the concrete turning a wrench quarter of a turn to get a bolt out. i can have an engine in or out in a matter of hours by myself. with a friend.... it takes no time at all as long as he knows what he is doing.

[Kalypso]

No you dont need to pull it.

loosen the transmission cross member and the motor will sag. giving you just enough room to reach those bolts.

go ask Idahotuner on his build thread

[nzmoman]

I've done it both ways

You dont have to pull it, but im with exhsturbine...

if you have the tools and the space, I would pull it. Pulling SR's is so easy that its not worth any hassle that you may take on while trying to work in a confined space (under the car). But if you have a lift and a transmission jack at your disposal, then go that route.

IMO pulling the motor will just make everything much easier.

[trls063]

well im doing an s13.5 at the same time so i gotta cut out the radiator core support, making it much easier to get the engine out, and i can't change my damn oil filter. so i need to b ring the engine out i think to correctly install a relocation kit. but even when i installed the engine, if i can reach the bolts on the top of the bellhousing there is no way they will clear to come out, they are long bolts, i could get a couple of turns....but i don't think they would clear enough to come all the way out. its so damn tight.

[Slipstream]

Why not, after you remove the trans, undo the engine mount nuts from the bottom and lift the front end up with a cherry picker. Should give you more than enough angle.