SL2 removing engine & 5 speed

I've done one each way. Out the top requires less disassembly, but you need a hoist. The cradle with all the suspension stuff attached is heavy, especially with the trans in it. I prefer the top.

None of the above need to be removed. But getting the fan and radiator out of the way give you more room to work. Also be careful not to scrape the throttle body's sensors on the edge of the cowl. It's very easy to do.

I believe that the steering rack is attached to the cradle, so when you drop the cradle, the wheel shaft has to be disconnected from the rack. It's easy though - just one bolt. You can probably keep all the A/C stuff connected if you need to.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]

I've never done it out the top - I'm not sure if you even can pull it out the top with the trans attached.

Its not such a bad job dropping the cradle. You will need a hoise whichever way you do it. You need to drain and pull the radiator, and you leave all the AC stuff in the car - unbolt the compressor and tie wrap it out of the way. The steering comes right apart - there is a slipjoint(IIRC I unbolted the single bolt then when I took it apart it fell out of the slipjoint too). Don't forget that you will need to disconnect the brake lines, I did it right at the banjo fitting on the calipers. Check and double check you disconnected all of the wiring before you drop it - and make sure its safely out of the way from getting snagged. It will clear the exhaust downpipe with a little wriggling - make sure it doesn't get stuck between the sway bar. Also, take off the rubber exhaust hangers to give it room to fall. Make sure when you take the struts out, you unbolt the three nuts, not the big center bolt. If you take the three nuts off the springs will stay compressed and its much easier. I uploaded a couple shots to give you an idea of how high it will need to be and what it looks like when it comes out.

Thanks for the info.

But looking at it from the top, it just doesn't look to be able to fit between the frame rails.

Thanks for the info and the pics.

I take-it oyu used the hoist to lower the assembly outthe bottom?

I'm getting ready to pull my engine and 5spd also. People have told me the crank pulley needs to be removed with an air gun.

RC

One time I raised both car and cradle, then lowered cradle out the bottom. Another time I THINK I raised everything, disconnected everything, then lowered the car to the ground, removed the cradle bolts and lifted the car off the cradle.

It makes it easy to zip it off with an air gun. Otherwise you will have to prevent the crankshaft from turning when you turn the bolt.

Sorry, my post didn't mention that I separated the trans from the motor before pulling the motor out the top.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]

Did you have the drive axles still in the transmission when separated from the engine, or were they [both ? ] pulled out of the transmission?

Thanks, Ben

If it is me that you're asking -

I moved the trans away from the motor before the motor was pulled. In order to do so, I removed the axles from it.

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]

Lane, I'm wondering if the engine you pulled out the top was attached to a manual tranny? I don't have any personal experience with pulling a manual out the top but I've heard you can't separate a manual tranny far enough from the engine due to the input shaft sticking out too far. Hutch

Yes, this was with a manual trans. I can't recall if I separated it and left it there, or if I pulled the trans out the side first (out the wheelwell after dropping cradle a few inches - a whole other topic). I would think you could separate it enough to get the input shaft out of the motor since I know several people who have replaced their clutch with the trans and motor still in the car. That may have been by dropping the cradle down on the trans side in order to be able to move the trans over that way a bit more though too.

For those of you with all these sorts of questions - you should check out Saturn chat. You'd get instant answers and advice there from people who have done things like this many times. Details are in a post I made yesterday titled "calling all Saturn owners/enthusiasts - please read".

Lane [ l a n e @ p a i r . c o m ]

They must have lowered the cradle on that side. You will also have to pull the axles out of the tranny to do this too. I thought it was pretty easy to just drop it out the bottom myself......