Thread: Removing engine and gearbox manually (no hoist) - can it be done?

Originally Posted by pfillery

Easy question I hope - I need to pull out an engine (186) and a gearbox. I don't have a hoist or anywhere to attach a lifting system above the car. My options are to buy or hire a hoist (buying means I will have it but it will sit idle 99.9% of the time), hiring is probably almost as expensive as buying a cheap one, or to do it without a hoist, but can it be done. We are talking a series 3, so is there a better way to do it (ie order of removal for engine and box, removal of other bits to make the job easier?). Someone has fitted a removable engine cross member so is it easier to drop the gearbox first and can this be done by one or 2 people without lifting gear? The engine is another concern - how to get it out without a hoist? Anyone done this or am I better of just buying one?

How heavy is a 186 and a series gearbox?

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Pm me with your location in Brisbane i may be able to help ypu

The gearbox can be removed without any equipment - remove seatbox, floor cab/hardtop etc, it has to come out upwards. The transfer case can be removed separately to reduce weight if there is only one of you. If there are two it can be lifted out with a suitable pole across the vehicle. Engine can probably be done the same, but you might need two each side.

I would still lift the units separately, but I would hire an engine crane for a day.

Remove the front mudguards and radiator support if you have not already done so - makes life a lot easier!

John

you can come and borrow my engine crane if you like

you need 6 men and a strong beam to manhandle a 186/202 out of a series without a crane and 2 preferably 3 to do the box.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

The gearbox can be removed without any equipment - remove seatbox, floor cab/hardtop etc, it has to come out upwards. The transfer case can be removed separately to reduce weight if there is only one of you. If there are two it can be lifted out with a suitable pole across the vehicle. Engine can probably be done the same, but you might need two each side.

I would still lift the units separately, but I would hire an engine crane for a day.

Remove the front mudguards and radiator support if you have not already done so - makes life a lot easier!

John

I've done it that way maybe 10 times,actaully it's the way I prefere to do it as it's easier to line the gearbox splines up without the T/C hanging off it. Pat

I just priced to hire one and for a 24 hour period is $65 plus deposit, I think considering the cost to buy one (under $200 at the moment for a 1250kg one) I might just buy one. If I have to use it again it might come in handy.

Thanks for the offers to borrow one but my location (Far North Brisbane) is a little out of the way, appreciate the thought though.

I'm stripping the vehicle so will take off the front end before the engine comes out - but with a removable gearbox crossmember does it still have to come out from the top (or do you just access it from the top to drop it to the ground?)

to get the box out you have without the removable cross member you have to lift it out through the seat box area unless you remove the Tcase first.

Rangas here ATM getting some work done to his 130, if you like He can bring my crane to you for this weekend and it can be bought back later.

Thanks Dave, appreciate the offer very much. Have decided to buy one as it is not going to work borrowing one every time I need it and lets face it, owning a land rover chances are I will need it again.

Just buy a cheap chinese hoist, will save a lot of pain, I have one it works, still have the use of my back and fingers, spend the money.