Originally posted by HoosierContour:
Did you remove your hood or build the special tool to hold it open?
Did you drain the brake fluid reservoir?
If so, I assume not the master cylinder.
Did you drain the power steering fluid reservoir?
If so, how did you suction it out, or drain it?
Did you leave the radiator in on cotter pins?

What did you leave out or add to the FORD CD manual?




1. Left the hood on and opened it fully without the prop rod. Then braced it with a piece of aluminum rod just in case the wind picked up. Gives tons of room and it will hold itself open.
2. No. No need to pull the master cylinder, just be carefull to turn the transaxe assembly as you are hoisting it out. I did it myself without any help if that tells you how easy it is.
3. No. I popped it out of its brackets and unhooked the lines from the pump. Then I tucked it up onto the hood cowling to keep it out of the way. Lost fluid but no biggie.
4. I pulled the cooling fans and radiator. Give a lot more room to work on things and you won't ram the engine into it when lifting it out.
5. The ac compressor unbolts easily when the radiator is out. I left the ac lines all hooked up and supported the condenser with some wire since it is supported by little brackets on the radiator. Once the radiator is out, the compressor can sit nicely on the front frame crossmember. This is nice so you don't vent your ac system.

The only other issues were the shift cable clips. They do pop off with a good pry-bar, carefull not to break them as they are plastic. Don't pop loose the adjusters or you'll have to readjust them.

6. Pull the hole strut assembly since it is very easy to pull it down once you pop the tie-rod, lower ball joint, and strut tower nut. Pop the half-shafts loose at the trans on the left side and the axle extension on the right. Remove the strut and half-shafts as an assembly to save assembly/dissassembly time AND having to buy new axle nuts as well as possible screwed up axle threads. Pulling them out of the hubs can cause premature bearing wear too.

Don't bother to pull the alternator or exhaust manifolds since the engine is compact and will lift out very easily. You should pull the y-pipe though.
Oh yea, pull the front bumber cover off so it doesn' get damaged and provides a lot more access room.

There: I gave all the good shortcut and $$$ saver tips I can about pulling the motor/trans assembly. It only took me about 4 hours from the time I started tear-down to when I was ready to hook up the hoist.

Happy tear-down!

warmonger

Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760 356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas! See My Mods '05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red '06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black