when taking engines in and out of the 2nd gen crx, do u prefer out the top or out the bottom? this is a question for the "driveway mechanics" out there like myself i have an engine hoist and a bunch of jack stands. i need to pop and swap two motors, one is attached to a manual, the other and auto. any other handy ideas welcome.

 

I have done it both ways. It's harder for me to go out the bottom because of the lack of a lift. It's a pain to get the car WAY off the ground just so the engine can be laid on it's side and dragged out. I had to take the head off the replacement engine to get it to fit back under the car to go back in place. If I had a lift, this would be the way to go though. I only dropped the engine that time because I didn't have any help available and I had to get the job done.

Hoist from top was pie. Lift, pull, lift drop, bolt in. The only draw back is buying the hoist or renting it.

 

Actually I'd say buying it wouldn't be bad because then you never have to rent one again, nor would you have to lift the car again. From the bottom you do it by something you can throw some thick rope over and lift the body. Then you cart the engine on the bottom of the oil pan (that's how you are supposed to do it.) with a floor-jack. That's why barns with lots of pulleys are favorable with back-yard racing teams.

 

thanks for the advice...yeah renting a hoist is pricey.... 40 bucks a day is what i have found..

 

Renting a hoist can get pricey. My neighbor has one and he lets me use it for free, maybe check to see if any of your friends or your dads friends has one.