Engine R&R without transmission?

[smp375]

Hey, I'm going to do an engine swap on my 98 XC this weekend. According to my alldatapro subscription, the engine and transmission come out as a unit. I don't want to screw around with the transmission if I don't have to. Has anybody done this R&R without the transmission? If so, were there any major hurdles?

Thanks!

[cattlecar]

You have to remove the angle gear for clearance.
The transmission will need to be held towards the left so engine will clear trans bell housing when it is moved to the right. Torque converter bolts can be removed through the slot on back of engine or through starter hole once starter is removed.
Exhaust pipe on turbo is a problem and has to be loosened up at every attachment to get it out of way or better is to remove it.

[gshadow325]

a little late but here are my $0.02

first time took the engine and trans out together thru the top
second time dropped sub frame to slide trans out
third time took engine out thru the top

Why? If you have a lift. You can drop it all out on the sub frame cradle as one unit.

At home in a garage, take it both out as one complete unit. Set it on the floor and much easier to assemble. Take pictures to remember how the starter wires go back on. the angle gear is a pain in the butt to mess with.

[smp375]

I managed the R&R without touching the transmission, angle gear, or either half-shaft. The two transmission bolts on the back side of the block and above the gear were the most difficult but 15" of extensions made it easy to ratchet them. I didn't have any issues to speak of aside from forgetting to order o-rings for the oil cooler pipes and turbo drain pipe before I started the job. I had to make a run up to Milwaukee to get those, then another the next day when the seal ring for the turbo drain rolled on me. I should have picked up 2 the first time, but I now have extras of all three. It was a tight squeeze between the transmission and frame-rail when I set the engine back in but nothing a little angle didn't overcome.

I've been a very active hobbyist for about 21 years, so this was probably my twelfth or fifteenth engine swap, being that this car is my third Volvo of a total of 66 cars. I've always had a knack for seeing how things go together, so I've never really had a need to record how things are connected before I disassemble. I'm very happy with my XC though, this is a car I've wanted for about 5 years; all she needs now is a pair of liftgate struts and maybe a set of rear brake pads.

Thanks for the input guys!

[ylstaffer]

Wow, right on that's definitely encouraging!! Did you use a cherry picker to lift the engine out or do you have a hoist? I've actually done it using a skid loader a few times back in the day on some big old American rides with V8 engines. HA! A lot more wiggle room with those big old tanks though! A little too "jerky" to use a Bobcat with these FWD/AWD cars, although I watch them take engines out of these cars with Payloaders at the junk yards. Get ready boys, here she comes! :eek:

[smp375]

I just have a basic hydraulic shop crane, nothing fancy.