Batfink 201 Posted February 26, 2007 This weekend i removed my gentry engine and box ready for the gti engine. Now as I havent got a crane it was a little tricky to get out the bottom of the car. Now I have a complete gti engine that I want to fit. Is it possible to fit from underneath or are they just too heavy to manhandle into position? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alastairh 47 Posted February 26, 2007 Yes, but you'll need a bag of patience, a couple of trolley jacks and some spare hands. Id just go rent one for £15, saves soo much messing about. Alastair Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonofsam 5 Posted February 26, 2007 I have done this twice now, on my own, both times with my turbo engine, it can be tricky shuving it back underneath, but you can always make up some wooden slider boards for the sump to skid on and use some timber to gain decent leverage while manhandling it in there. Im used to lifting big lumps of metal on and off lathes though. Think I may hire a crane next time as it can be a bit of a back breaker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom_m 0 Posted February 26, 2007 i've dropped an engine down without a crane, but i wouldn't like to try it in reverse! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baz 421 Posted February 26, 2007 Surely someone's got a crane locally u could borrow? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j_turnell 137 3 Cars Posted February 26, 2007 Ive done it from underneath a couple of times but tbh its a pain in the arse. Just rent a engine hoist and load leveler for the day, saves a lot of time, stress and broken backs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve@cornwall 100 Posted February 26, 2007 piece of cake, my friend! Done plenty this way. remove the inlet manifold for clearance, and the subframe lower mount bracket. I find it best to raise the cambelt end first and fit to the mount- then jack the gearbox into position. I also remove the wheels to allow the shell to sit lower-less lifting! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Owain1602 0 Posted February 26, 2007 Its quite easy, i did it a while ago on my own without a jack or anything except for 2 bricks,lol. It was a sunday morning and someone just wanted the engine putting in and didnt want to wait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted February 26, 2007 Every engine change I've done on a GTi has been done by dropping it down on to bricks, spare wheels etc, even when I had a chance at using a crane I'd got the engine out before it was ready. First time I did it I said "never again" but clearly that was a lie. Its not that bad if you are carefull, both times I have used a whinch it was harder as i didn't have a load leveller. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim21070 2 Posted February 27, 2007 This weekend i removed my gentry engine and box ready for the gti engine. Now as I havent got a crane it was a little tricky to get out the bottom of the car. Now I have a complete gti engine that I want to fit. Is it possible to fit from underneath or are they just too heavy to manhandle into position? If you want to borrow a crane, I'm only a few junctions up the M1... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pugpete1108 62 1 Cars Posted February 27, 2007 just do it ya wuss . done both an xu9 and an xu10 now without a crane ( both with the gearbox fitted too ) , the 8v was easy ( alloy block) but the gti6 was fu**ing heavy being all iron , but i still managed it. saying that if you can get a crane it would be a hell of a lot easier , i couldn't and i am too tight to rent one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M_R_205 5 1 Cars Posted February 27, 2007 me and my mate always lift them in gearbox end first from the front where the rad would be, we use ropes to hold the engine it goes in quite easy, slide the passenger side shaft in (saves you pulling the hub out), and attach the gearbox mount then the seccond mount, normaly takes 20- 30 mins Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baz 421 Posted February 27, 2007 If i wasn't using it and/or you don't need it imminently, come and borrow mine if you want Kev. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites