I've taken out about 5 motors from 88-91 crx's and civics, but my current car has AC in it, and it works well.

the car is an 89 civic SI, and i'm going to swap in another d16a6 that doesn't burn oil, has new clutch, ect, ect. I was wondering if it's possible to take the motor out without cutting any AC lines, or losing the AC in the lines, ect. Has anybody done it, what is needed to be done? Do you pull the motor/tranny out from the hood, or drop it from under the car?

Anybody done this before?

 

I have done it both ways..Out the top and bottom..

Just unbolt the compressor, tie it to the radiator support
with some mechanics wire and then work around it..
No problem..

 

I just read the service manual about it, and it said you don't have to disconnect the lines, so I guess it's all about how you take the motor out, cuz if you lift straight up, then the transmission will bump into the ac lines.

 

So if it bumps into the lines, so what? Move the lift once you reach that point, elevate one side on the engine more while lifting, or bend the lines out of the way. I got my motor in and out of my LX without breaking or disconnecting one line

 

Alright, well i'm glad you guys say it can be done. I didn't want to lose the AC in this car. I don't mind the weight penalty, as long as while i'm going to and from autocross events I won't be sweating my nuts off.

 

what i did was drop it out the bottom. just unbolt the engine and have it sit on something, and lift the car with the engine hoist, old school vw style.

then with the car up, slide the old engine out from underneath, slide the new one in, set the car back down, and lift it into place. its so easy i think they put them in through the bottom at the factory