Removal of engine/front suspension as a unit

[glennard]

What are the pros and cons of removing the engine/tranny and front suspension as a unit?  Is this unbolting the A/C, PS, steering, exhaust, fuel, shocks, propellor shaft, etc. - then lifting the front chassis about two feet and rolling the 'unit' out from under?  It is held in by the 4 bolts in each shock mount?  Thoughts?

[ja17]

Hello Glenn,

This is an option if your are rebuilding the front end also. Otherwise it is a lot of extra work.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[merrill]

It sounds tempting, but I would not try it with out a lift that will get the car up in the air safely.

also, unless you are going to rebuild the front suspension at the same time why?  

with the help of a co worker I was able to remove and replace the motor and tranny quite easily using a motor hoist.

also, note. by using a cross support you can leave the motor in the car and drop the front suspension for rebuild.  an example of one is in the service book.

Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[al_lieffring]

Glenn

In an old Big Blue Book for the 190 and 220 pontoons there was an illustration of the motor and trans resting on the fully assembled sub frame, wheels and all, with a fixture that attached a caster wheel to the back of the transmission, where the rear mount would be attached on later cars.

On FWD cars this is a fairly common procedure but the wiring and plumbing are designed to quick disconnect,the brakes remain on the body and don't need to be blead when reassembled, none of these are the case on our pagodas.  

Another problem is that most side post lifts are designed for the center of balance to be near the forward door post. The cars become very unstable on the lift when the weight of the driveline is removed from the front. Also the car is stuck on the lift until it gets put back together. In a shop, the lifts are too valuable to tie up for days at a time.

I never thought there was an advantage to disassembling a Pagoda this way.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
Jones'n for a new gas tank

[Joe]

With the hood off, about how many shop hours are required to remove and replace the engine? I'm curious because my car is in the shop being painted, and I would prefer to paint the engine compartment, too, if it doesn't take too much time (money).
This is a 230SL, basic, with no a/c.
Thanks,
Joe