taking out and putting new engine in help

[Elk whack master]

Got a donor mini van. Its front wheel drive. Is it faster to just take out just the  engine Or take out engine and transmission together? Donor vans transmission seams good , so I don't mind putting that in my van now if its easier. Other thoughts I have not thought of that might be easier? I got a lot of work to do with  taking out bad one and taking out donor one out and then putting donor one in! I'm gonna be one tired greasy monkey by the end!

[Bofire]

So, you have two mini vans that are identical? and identical motors etc? and you want to know if you should take out your motor and put in the donor motor OR if you should change motor and tranny of both?
Do you know the new tranny works? does the old one? I guess the old motor does not work?
Can you test the new stuff?

[jeepasaurusrex]

A thought to ponder... about 99% of front wheel drive vehicles, the motor is pulled out the bottom.

[jackelope]

What kind of mini van?

[Elk whack master]

Chevy Uplander and same engines in both. I test drove the donor van and alls well as far as I could tell for the short time I drove it. All good parts are coming off donor van cause I still owe money on mine that decided to throw a rod.

[Woodchuck]

What year Uplander? I can look up procedure for you. Maybe just shoot me the VIN. I can go from there to.

[jackelope]

Per the book, it comes out the bottom with some special tools.

Removal Procedure


Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the air cleaner assembly.
Drain the cooling system.
Remove the radiator inlet hose from the engine.
Remove the radiator outlet hose from the engine.
Remove the heater outlet and inlet hoses from the engine.
Remove the vacuum hoses from the upper intake manifold.
Remove the brake booster vacuum hose from the upper intake manifold.
Remove the fuel lines from the fuel rail.
Remove the automatic transaxle range selector cable.
Disconnect these electrical connectors:
The knock sensor (KS)
The camshaft position (CMP) sensor
The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor
The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S)
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve
The evaporative emission (EVAP) canister purge solenoid
The electronic throttle control
The ignition coil
The body wiring harness-to-engine harness
The engine wiring harness from transmission
Remove the engine wiring harness grounds from the transaxle.
Remove the engine mount strut.
Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
Drain the engine oil.
Remove rear propeller shaft (AWD Only).
Remove the catalytic converter.
Remove the front tires and wheels.
Remove the lower radiator air baffle assembly.
Remove the engine splash shields.
Remove the stabilizer shaft links from the lower control arms.
Remove the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles.
Remove the lower ball joints from the knuckles.
Remove the A/C compressor bolts and position compressor aside. DO NOT discharge the A/C system. Support the compressor.
Disconnect the drive axles from the transaxle.
Secure the drive axles to the steering knuckle/struts.
Caution: Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion steering gear stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage may cause loss of steering control which could result in an accident and possible personal injury. Remove the intermediate shaft pinch bolt from the steering gear.
 
 
 
 




Lower the vehicle until the frame contacts the transaxle table.
Remove the frame bolts.
Raise the vehicle in order to separate the powertrain/frame assembly from the vehicle.
Remove the starter motor.
Remove the torque converter covers.
Remove the torque converter bolts.
 
 
 
 




Remove the engine mount lower nuts.
Remove the transaxle brace.
Remove the exhaust crossover pipe.
Install engine hoist to engine.
 
 
 
 




Remove the transaxle-to-engine bolts (3, 4, 5, 6) and the studs (1, 2).
Support the transaxle.
Separate and remove the engine from the transaxle/frame.
Install the engine to the engine stand.
Remove the flywheel.
Remove the drive belt.

[Bofire]

  , sounds like it might be easier to removce the whole front clip.!!! what a job, I do not envy you!!
Carl

[Alchase]

Got a donor mini van. Its front wheel drive. Is it faster to just take out just the  engine Or take out engine and transmission together? Donor vans transmission seams good , so I don't mind putting that in my van now if its easier. Other thoughts I have not thought of that might be easier? I got a lot of work to do with  taking out bad one and taking out donor one out and then putting donor one in! I'm gonna be one tired greasy monkey by the end!

The "donor" is front wheel drive, I am assuming the one the donor engine is going in is also front wheel drive, ............ correct?

[Buckmark]

, sounds like it might be easier to removce the whole front clip.!!! what a job, I do not envy you!!
Carl

We have done a few of these, you cannot remove the front clip to pull the engine..
They are really not that hard to do, time consuming yes, but difficult no....
*
Kinda like if IKEA made cars.... 

[Elk whack master]

What kind of special tools do I need. I'm gonna get some tools when I in town tomorrow. I snapped some extensions on the last project and I I can't find my 3/8 open end wrench , and 1/2" and 3/8" ratchets need replacing. Always something!


Same vans. One year difference but same parts.

[dewandgin]

Get a good supply of 10,13,15,18mm  sockets and wrenches and some extensions. You will need the tools to disconnect the fuel lines. When you drop it out take the main wire harness loose at the firewall and drop it out with disconnecting as much as possible. Drop it with the struts and everything. I tip is take the torque converter bolts loose before you drop it out

From the Wetside. like the darkside only Wetter!

[Buckmark]

If you think extensions, open end wrenches etc are specialty your in trouble..
*
The only "specialty" item would be the frame holder for setting the engine and cradle Assembly on, but it is not necessary.
But what is, is the ability to raise the vehicle to a height to get the engine/trans/cradle assembly out from under it..
*
In a nut shell, you will be unbolting the engine cradle (frame) with lower control arms etc all attached and raising the vehicle up....figure you have to get he van about 4ft in the air.....
*
This is really a job that requires a lift to perform....or a tractor...
*
I would not do this job at home....
*
Don't get me wrong, its not impossible it is just going to take some time and ingenuity without a lift, it is not unbolting a rwd V8 and lifting it out,,,,

[6x6in6]

, sounds like it might be easier to removce the whole front clip.!!! what a job, I do not envy you!!
Carl

We have done a few of these, you cannot remove the front clip to pull the engine..
They are really not that hard to do, time consuming yes, but difficult no....
*
Kinda like if IKEA made cars.... 

If the van's a donor - a cutting torch can make short work of a whole lot of things, like the front clip, that are in the way for a conventional out the top engine yard out.   

[Buckmark]

, sounds like it might be easier to removce the whole front clip.!!! what a job, I do not envy you!!
Carl

We have done a few of these, you cannot remove the front clip to pull the engine..
They are really not that hard to do, time consuming yes, but difficult no....
*
Kinda like if IKEA made cars.... 

If the van's a donor - a cutting torch can make short work of a whole lot of things, like the front clip, that are in the way for a conventional out the top engine yard out.   

Ok, that solves getting the donor engine out, but what about the van he wants to keep 
guess he could cut it then weld it back together...