Need onsite help. DC metro area
 

Hey guys. I've been trying to get the engine out of my newly acquired 1983 300TD, but having never pulled an engine out of anything before I wanted help.

So far I've enlisted the help of two of my uncles, a family friend and a few other people. Both uncles had disasters strike them en route to me and the others have either been unable to get to me or swamped with projects of their own.

What I'm looking for is someone who has pulled AN ENGINE before, it doesn't need to be an OM617. I just need experience to guide me. The position of my life right now is not the greatest and although I've been told I can do it on my own just being careful, I just can't risk the car, the engine or my own personal injury right now.

The engine is only held in right now by gravity and the transmission crossmember, everything else is disconnected or removed completely.

If anyone can spare a few hours and a few bits of experience in the next week or so I would really appreciate it. I'm broke right now, but I'm sure if you need to get paid I can find the money, or pizza or whatever you need. Sorry cold beer is not an option, unless of course you drink it off the property.

You are right man, you have to have help. I am sure there were many pulled by one man with the proper equipment, but if you haven't done much of it, working on your driveway and with the typical lower cost engine lift, it is definetly a two/three man job. You know the hood goes into the second position, the full or straight up, right? Works best to pull engine and transmission and to have the back end up a couple of inches. Radiator has to be out, all hoses disconnected, A/C and oil cooler also. Heavy card board or thin plywood to protect A/C condensor from damage and I hope you have an engine lift with the adjustable two point hitch so you can tilt it as necessary. It takes a lot of tilt to get it out of there. If I was with in 50 or 75 miles, I would love to give you a hand, but I am just too far.

Yep, hood will be vertical.

Everything except for the engine and the brake master cylinder is out of the engine bay. Even the a/c compressor has been removed. I plan to clean, repair and then paint the engine bay, so everything that can be removed is out.

I plan to pull the engine and the trans together rather than dealing with accidentally having the front of the trans drop while it's sitting in there or having to deal with disconnecting the TC... etc.

The engine crane I had didn't look like it adjusted but I had to return it to the rental place, I didn't feel like paying $20 a day having it just sit. So I'll look for one that has another pivot. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks for all the advice, and this is exactly why I want experienced help. Reading online helps alot of the time, but it's the little things I won't know about until they kill me/the engine/the car.

This is what you need in addition to the hoist:
2 Ton Capacity Heavy Duty Load Leveler

IMPORTANT
 

If anyone in the DC area has an engine crane available for rent/borrow TODAY (October 2nd) please let me know. I've found help, but I just returned the engine crane I rented and no place is open on Sunday.

Well that is too bad. Surely there has to be some Rental shop open. Try the places that rent U Haul. They might well rent engine lifts. Make sure you get it with the piece like the one Kerry pointed out. Life is difficult without that.

I agree, there must be a rental shop open somewhere. Maybe even an auto parts store.

Do you plan on seperating the engine and trans after you remove it?
If so, I recommend to remove the 6 little bolts that connect the torque converter to the drive plate (FW), while the engine is still in the car.

Remove the black plastic inspection plate on the bottom of the bell housing. the bolts are in a group of two and are 13mm. have some one rotate the engine slowly until they show.
Also if the injectors and GP are still in helps. then you have the compression of the eng to help keep it from rotating while breaking the bolts loose.

Much easier than after it is out and hanging on the hoist swinging around. also you do not want to be under the eng hanging up on the hoist or under anything hydraulic that is not safely supported.

I have pulled 3 617 in the driveway by myself and at PNP when pulling engines for myself. I have helped a couple other guys at PNP pull an eng for them.
It really isn`t all that difficult to do.

You can leave the oil cooler on, just unbolt it from the radiator, then you won`t have a mess from oil leaking from the lines.
If you are leaving the a/c condensor in. then put some carboart of plywool to protect it from the eng coming forward and hitting it.

Kerry posted the engine tilter above. they really do work great. I would recommend to cut off the little crank and weld on a long nut. then use your air impact or a 1/2" drive ratchet. I used a 13/16 nut.
Turning that little crank gets really hard with the weight hanging on it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_6164.jpg

Charlie

It really can be tough to turn. Putting a long nut on it and using the impact is the way to go. Just when you want to tilt it all the way that bloomin handle will lock up tight against something. Happens every time I use it.

I never had a problem with it...just make sure the threads are very well lubricated by putting a load on it.

edit: **before putting a load on it

Matureo, Where in MD, I live near Dulles Airport and have pulled many,many engines. i understand the issues. I pulled my first engine out of my 1967 Chevelle SS ( I spun a bearing while drag racing on what is now the Airport Road) in my Dad's driveway ( his car was the only one allowed in the carport)
in the middle of winter with it snowing. Anyway let me know if weekday help is useable I think I am off Wednesday.
Alan

I am a little late to the party here, and I know this has been discussed other times in this forum..... I have done this engine removal/installation 5 times now on my w115 300D (a tight fit, but different from the W123). 3 removals, 2 installations. I have never used the load leveler, or needed to.

I used a large poly strap around the forward part of the engine, attached just behind the oil sump. As you begin to lift, the weight of the attached tranny automatically tilts the engine at the correct angle to clear the firewall, front suspension, and front grill. The radiator has to come out, of course.

I was a total rookie at it the first time, and I did it single-handedly each time. Once everything was disconnected, the total elapsed time each time was less than 10 minutes
I used a Cherry picker crane hoist, and Honest to God it was a piece of cake. I was amazed, because I had been warned many times how hard it was. A testament to MB engineering.

Many thanks to member "aaa" here on PeachParts, he dropped by and helped me (rather it was me helping him) pull the engine.

Harbor Freight was out of stock of the load levelers so I had to run to PepBoys (which I hate, it was the first time I entered the store since getting fired several years ago). And you guys were right, we ended up removing the plastic handle on the crank and using a 27mm socket on the opposite end.

Beastie, I'm hoping to put the engine back in next weekend or so after I've finished with the painting. I could definitely use some local help... and get back in touch with another Northern Virginian. I grew up in Chantilly and I miss NoVa:(