engine removal

**425i** · 04-07-2009, 10:23 PM

Im sure this has been covered before but Im having no luck with the search function.
I have been in the group for a while but havn't posted much. Most of my spare time has been spent collecting welding burns from working on the golf

I need to get to the firewall inside the engine bay to do some welding and cleaning up
Is it best to take out the engine and then box or is it possible to unbolt the top of the struts and a few other things and lift the whole body up in the air.
I have had this Mk1 for a while and it had some major rust
I have cut out the drivers and passengers floors and made new ones
I have welded in the drivers but have left out the passengers as it makes it easier to work in the car with your legs sticking through like fred flintstone
I have taken out the filler in the seam in the fire wall and welded this up and then chased the rust all the way up the wheel arches in the cabin which I had to chop out and remake and then chased the rust up into the rain tray and along the top of the inside fenders. I have also had to cut out and remake the 45 degree foot rests at the bottom of the firewall/footrest.
Oh yes I also had to chop out a 40cm length of the passenger sill and make a new piece to fit in that. Thats a work in progress actualy as I have just welded a flat plate in there at the moment for strength
Due to welding up the firewall I havebits of mig wire sticking through into the engine bay and there is rust around where the seam was.
I was thinking it would be easier to lift the car off the engine as I have a block and takle on an frame I welded up and also have enough steel to build up a decent sized frame to support the car on once its in the air and it would make the firewall a nice height to work on.
Has any one got any ideas or advice as they would be greatly appreciated

**Peter Jones** · 04-07-2009, 10:55 PM

Either way works.

You can remove the engine and gearbox from either above or below.

Either way it's easiest to remove motor and box together.

Pete

**gldgti** · 04-07-2009, 10:59 PM

first, welcome.

second - wow, oyu've done a lot of work to save an old mk1 by the sounds of it. most people will give up and look for another shell.

now- your problem:

engine removal is easy for sure, and your idea is ok however you'll find putting it back together that way difficult.

the best way i would say would be to disconnect the driveshafts from the gearbox, and leave the rest of the suspension intact. then disconnect everything from the engine/gearbox, support the engine/box assy. and lower it to the ground. use your lifting device to lift the front of the car high enough to move the engine/box out of the way. alternately, remove the bonnet, take out the radiator, and remove the engine/box assy out through the top. i've done it both ways several times.... the former way is good for a quick removal if your wrecking a car, the latter seems to be neater and you dont have to sit the engine/box on the ground. both ways have their plusses and minuses...

HTH.

aydan

**gldgti** · 04-07-2009, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by Peter Jones

Either way works.

You can remove the engine and gearbox from either above or below.

Either way it's easiest to remove motor and box together.

Pete

love the red sump pete. very nice.

**16v_kid** · 04-07-2009, 11:15 PM

pete, whats holding the car in the air?

**Peter Jones** · 04-07-2009, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by 16v_kid

pete, whats holding the car in the air?

Could be that BIG RED CRANE!

Pete

**16v_kid** · 04-07-2009, 11:29 PM

Originally Posted by Peter Jones

Could be that BIG RED CRANE!

Pete

then how did u get the engine in....

looks like you had a battle getting it in this way.

**Peter Jones** · 04-07-2009, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by 16v_kid

then how did u get the engine in....

looks like you had a battle getting it in this way.

Put motor under car.

Lower car over motor.

Pick motor up with crane.

Bolt it in.

Like I said either way works. Depending on the tools you have, the ceiling height of your workspace and what's in the engine bay one way sometimes works better than the other.

Pete