Tonight I'll be taking out my friend's D-series motor to make room for a GSR going in. However, I have a few questions. I have been witness to many many swaps, but have never done any myself. I put in my own motor, but never took one out, plus mine is an Integra, not a Civic (I know I know, it's the same).

1) I don't have a balljoint remover. How can I get the axle out? Can I just wing it and unscrew it and just yank on it?

2) I don't have one of those center punch removers. How can I get the linkage out of the tranny? Would it be easier to just leave it in and pull out the motor with the linkages attached?

3) I believe I have to modify the driver's side mount. What exactly is involved?

Thank you very much. I can do pretty much everything (I do work on my own car), but I never did anything as involved as a full swap. Hey, you gotta start somewhere, right?

 

Whoops, didn't see the hybrid forum. Anywho, you guys can still help me out!

 

go to autozone and get yourself a balljoint remover and an awl or straight-punch. you really shouldn't be trying to mess with axles and shift linkages without them. there's no modification to the driver's side mount...you just use the integra ones all around. it's really the easiest swap conceivable and you should have it done within a couple hours.

good luck

 

1) just take off the bolts that hold the LCA to the car then secure it to somthing, ive never disconnected the balljoint before.
2) i would reccomend an 8mm punch. if you cant get one try to use a screw.

 

A balljoint remover is not necessary at all, all you need is a hammer, you just give the outer casing of the ball joint a whack and it will come right loose. As for the linkage, it is better to have a punch to pull the little pin, and remove the linkage seperately.

 

As for the balljoint to get the axle out- I just use a ball ping hammer and hit the LCA near the joint to seperate it.
The shift linkage I used a AC bolt or I believe it was a 4mm socket with extension and it fit (cant remember exact size of socket so just match it up).

 

That's what I said.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. So the consensus is that I can get away without a joint remover? I mean, I'll try to get one for tonight, but there's a high possibility that I won't be able to.

As for the mount question, I don't have the Integra mounts. I only have the Civic ones in his car now. That's why I was asking about modifying the driver's side one. Do I need to?

Thanks again.

 

easiest way i've found to pop the ball joint is to stick a breaker bar in between the lca, and the hub (the two pieces that the ball joint holds together), and step on it.

much easier on the hands than hammering, and works everytime.

also don't forget to only back the castle nuts off a turn or two so that you don't damage the threads on the ball joint when it comes loose.

 

^
That part is very good info

Use a hammer and whack it a few times (the LCA, not what you're thinking ...) and it will separate in no time. I've had to use alternative methods myself though...I used a long-*** crowbar and popped it real quick...off we were

 

you can use a 1/4" extension for the shiift linkage... but get a pickle fork.... makes life easier for the balljoints

 

Okay, I got most of it apart (except the ball joint and the linkage, which I haven't started yet.

My question is, do I have to totally disconnect every wire from the harness to the motor before I pull it out? Most of it is under the intake manifold and nearly impossible to get to. I got most of it out after cutting up my hand, but there are some left over.

I thought it might be a bright idea to take off the intake manifold for better access. I took off the top 3 or 4 nuts and the side ones. I also took off the brace in the back. Is that all there is? I was rocking that thing like crazy and it won't budge. It kinda moves very very very little, but that's it.

Thanks dude. I knew from the beginning that it was gonna be a big thing for me. But hey, you gotta learn to do it yourself, right?

 

you only need to disconnect the harness connectors that are at the right and left shock towers, you shouldn't have to disconnect much if anything from the actual engine block, cept for maybe the o2 sensor, and ground wires.