About to take engine out of my 2000 xk8. I have previously removed the engine from a xk8 with the engine and transmission as one unit. On this car I only need to remove the engine. If I just remove the engine I will need some way to support the transmission. I don't think it would support itself with just the rear transmission mount. Or is it better to remove it as an engine/transmission unit. If I just remove the engine I won't have deal with the exhaust. I have a 2 post lift if that helps with your suggestions.

 

On these cars I'd only remove it with tranny. You'll find it hard to get to all the bolts.

 

It is worlds easier to remove it with the transmission UNLESS you are disassembling it along the way.

Since you have a lift, just use a tranny jack.

 

The easiest way (for me) is to drop the entire front subframe with the engine/gearbox as a UNIT onto 2 steel tables with heavy castors.

I always remove the torque conveter bolts and cataveter mount brackets before I set the subframe onto 2 steel tables. The front steel table with casters will hold the subframe and engine, the rear steel table will support the gearbox and can be 'wheeled' away from the engine.

'Pluck' the engine from the subframe with a crane lift and reinstall the replacement onto the subframe.
Wheel the gearbox in place and mate the units.

Lower the car onto the subframe and install the mount bolts. Lift the car and remove the steel tables from under the car.

You can get some hydraulic steel tables or borrow them.

1000 lbs. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

The handles can be removed for clearance.

Everyone has their preferred method.

bob

 

I just noticed that I posted this on the wrong forum. I meant to post on X100. Well the cars engine and transmission is generally the same.
This is the 2000 xk8 I posted about that had the broken valves and a hole in the top of the piston.
There is no damage to the cylinder walls.

Looking at having to remove the exhaust ,transmission, power steering pump lines, AC lines, ect.. I beginning to think it might be easier for me to remove the head and piston from a 99 xj8 engine that has a bad rod bearing and put them on this motor while it is still in the car.

The donor engine is still in the car so it might take a half a day to get the parts off. Then when I get the 2000 xk8 going I'll put the engine I was going to put in the xk8 into the donor xj8 and then get it going.

 

That makes sense. It's nice having your own parts yard. You've saved several cars from the crusher now.

 

I might be nuts but I enjoy working on these jags and conversing with you and other members of the forum. I see these cars and they are just too beautiful to let go to the wrecker unless there is no way to cost efectly save them.

It makes you feel good when you get them back on the road. The 98 xj8 I just finished with, one of my employees said he wanted it for his parents. So I better get back to work if I'm going to get these done.

 

I vote for doing the head in the car- You still have to loosen the cats, and unbolt their brackets but it is nice not having to use a picker etc.

 

Actually I already have one head off. The one with broken valves. All I had to do was to just remove the nuts off the studs. Since I already had the front cover off I moved it slightly forward as I lifted it off the block. If that didn't work I would have removed the studs.