RE: Pulling engine & k-member
It's not too hard you just need the right tools. Make sure to disconnect all the wiring harness', fuel rails, grounding strap, the fuse box, all that crap that you already know. Don't forget the trans wiring harness and shifter cable. I also lowered the gas tank and took off the exhaust so I could slide the drive shaft out. Another thing that got stuck on mine is the steering shaft. I disconnected the universal/knuckle and pushed it back. I went to drop the engine out and the damn thing slid back down and got stuck on the block. Pain in the ass!! So if you can completely take the knuckle off and push that shaft in as far as possible.
Make sure you get an e-18 torx bit, they are hard to find, not a common part. I had read a 16 point socket will work but it definitely wasn't right. I was worried about breaking off the tips on the head. There's a little parts store near my house, they are the only ones I could find that had it. I checked sears, Napa, AutoZone, home depot, lows............just about every place that MIGHT have had it.......then the little guy down the street had it. All of my sub frame bolts came out without a problem.
In my case the easiest way for me to actually drop it was to lift the car up and get everything ready, take out half the sub frame bolts and loosen the trans cross member. Then lower the car down onto cement blocks or something like that (supporting the sub frame and trans). Next I unbolted the last 4 holding the sub frame in and lifted the car up leaving the whole drive train there. If you have a lift or a chain fall available it's the best way. You can also just put the car on some tall jacks and lower the engine with a cherry picker or chain fall but with the trans on it may be a little difficult to balance.
If you haven't already order some new motor mounts, my driver side one was completely trashed. Be careful with the bolts holding the bracket to the block. Most came out easy but one snapped and the stud is in my block. I'm trying to carefully drill it out and re-tap it but we'll see. It's on the passenger side (compression side) and there's two other bolts............so I MAY leave it if I can't fix it.
Next week my car is going to be done. I'm taking the week off. I just need to put it all back together. Give me a call anytime if you need to pick my brain.
I'm glad you are putting headers in!! I keep looking at my car from underneath with no sub frame and keep thing how great a set of long tubes would look. No money in the budget for them..........I'm going to have to buy $500 in books next week instead of go faster parts. ;(
