Biting the bullet!! Engine removal time

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

My new project vn has had issues since i bought it, i drove it home knowing i was going to be doing alot of work to get it to where i want. Next day i start it and a pool of water appeared, stuff it ill replace the water pump. Done that and saw the puddle maker hadnt stopped, jacked the car up to have a peek and saw the culprit right hand side welch plug. Today after buying a few plugs both sizes and some loctite to fix them in, i had a look and realized i aint getting my persuader and a socket in there to tap in the new one let alone remove the old ones.

So now i have to remove the engine, so since the engine will be removed may as well do all the gaskets... So i need to get myself a friend with a engine crane or buy one. So who has a engine crane?? Or where can i grab a cheap one thatl do the deed, or is hiring a cheap option?

Then i need to find out the steps for removing the vn's engine. I have a donior vp which i have been pillaging parts off that also needs the engine removed so i can start rebuilding it. So ill get the practice (might also make a how to) would have been handy if there was one already here.

The power steering rack seems to be a little tight on the vn aswell so i might do a conversion tot he vp's steering rack.

Anyone want a rolling shell vp lol.

[Morton]

Whereabouts do you live? There's a couple of little parts I wouldn't mind stealing from the VP.

Hiring an engine crane I THINK is a good option. I know they're around $300 to buy outright... think ahead, how many times do you think you'll use it? They're handy for changing transmissions, they keep the engine supported so it doesn't break engine mounts. Funnily enough, also handy for changing engine mounts. Not a bad thing to have.

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

I live in Bendigo Victoria, Yeah ive got a few people hunting around to find me a loaner for 4 weeks use. Im also looking into maybe purchasing one aswell. One with a engine stand built in so i can rebuild the VP motor for when i blow the Vn's up lol.

[pow3rslave]

hey man, still waiting on ricerbarn to get the crane i bought into stock.
if you get your removal done before mine i wouldn't mind a howto.
pics a bonus but not nesessary.

[Brin]

VP body in good condition?

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

Ill post a pic in 5 mins





There ya go. Ive still to poach exhaust, side indicator loom, engine, lsd diff, shocks, petrol tank, and power steering and maybe a few other steering parts.
I have full VN interior plastics and dash and carpets. Also full vp central locking with 2 remotes and bcm if anyone needs them cheap.

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

hey man, still waiting on ricerbarn to get the crane i bought into stock.
if you get your removal done before mine i wouldn't mind a howto.
pics a bonus but not nesessary.

Yeah ill do a full how to with pics once ive got ahold of the engine crane, got one sorta lined up now.

[immortality]

if you have a decent garage/shed or carport with some strong beams in the roof then a 500kg chain block works well also.

removing engine is fairly simple. you can go 2 ways. drop trans and then remove engine or remove engine/trans together in one go.

if removing engine/trans together. remove driveshaft (plug output shaft or drain trans to prevent liquid spillage later ) remove any linkages/wiring/coolant lines for the trans. loosen trans crossmember bolts but do not remove. remove exhaust 'Y' pipe. undo engine mounts from bottom of K frame. drain then remove cooling system pipes, drop trans cooler lines(auto only) and remove radiator. remove engine wiring loom. (if re-using, put some masking tape on connectors and label. makes putting it back together a lot simpler later). remove vacuum line for brake booster and fuel lines. remove powersteering pump lines, if you have A/C then remove those lines also. connect engine crane to lifting points and take up slack. remove trans crossmember. slowly lift engine and bring forward. if removing both engine and trans one of those devices that allows you to tilt the engine/trans as you lift and bring it forward really helps as it allows you to have the sump clear the radiator support panel without the trans fouling in the trans tunnel

depending on what sort of exhaust system you have you may need to drop the headers also as they sometimes go around the steering shaft and will foul if trying to remove with them still attached to the engine.

it's a rough guide but should see you right

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

Sweet thanks gives me a brief guideline to follow, rest im guessing is simply looking at whats going to stay attached when lifting ehhee.

[centy]

mate i might be interested in the bcm and remotes.

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

On ebay as of a few hours ago...

[MAC-VN]

hey u still got the rims of vp ill take them off ya hands mate

[h0Ld3n`VN]

i was gonna do a whole write up but my phone was playing up <--pos) u shoulda gotten the crane at supercheap for $200 i did n it was good and whats with people changing motors these days

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

Still got the vp rims, they have good tread on em. Im not swapping motors just doing gaskets and welch plugs.

[Brin]

o0oo damnit. your taking most of what i would have wanted, im after a non leaky fuel tank too haha.

where abouts are you though? ive always thought the vn would look.. different with a vp front. i remember seeing it in a mag ages ago too.

[needwork2-4fillhabbit]

Im in bendigo victoria bout and hour 40 drive from melbourne.