Removing Engine from 89 Lancer Shelby

Need to replace the freeze plugs on my 89 Lancer Shelby. Looks like I have to pull the engine to do it. Haven't done this before. Assuming it has to come out through the top. Have garage and engine hoist. Questions:

a) how big a deal is this? one day, weekend? just a best guess

b) no need to remove the turbo before lifting engine, right?

c) is there a "step-by-step" on this, i.e. " remove hood, remove wheels and axles, disconnect hoses and wires, disconnect from exhaust pipe, etc." particularly looking for any "gotchas"; really don't need any surprises

Looking forward to getting this done.

Thanks, John in Charlotte, NC

What tools do you have? Engine hoist? Car lift?

I always go out through the bottom. I pull the axles out of the spindles and swing the spindle out of the way by removing the ball joints so you alignment doesn't get screwed up. Then disconnect everything from the trans and engine and the front and rear motor mounts. Then hook up the hoist, with some tension on it disconnect the side mounts and then drop it down slowly. Oh before dropping it and since the coolant is drained I pull the radiator too. Damaged the drain pet---- once dropping the engine so I just pull it now. Once it's on the ground I remove the hoist and pull it out of the way, Then with one jack stand at it's lowest setting I jack the other side of the car as far up as I can get it and slide the motor out through the fender well. All the splash guards on that side have to come out too but they have to come off to drop the motor for the most part but I've seen hacks try to skip that and then it ruins them or messes something else up. Install is reverse of removal.

Yikes! Sounds like fun. Thanks for the input. I need to run this by the guy I will be working with on this. :)

Could you replace all the freeze plugs by removing the head and turbo as an assembly? Much quicker. I can only think of one plug your not going to be able to get to but that's an oil plug on the trans side.

I can have the motor out in 4 hrs by myself with hand tools and taking my time. It's not awefully bad to do.

Here is the general way to remove the engine as per the FSM:

ENGINE ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect battery.
(2) Scribe hood hinge outline on hood and remove
hood.
(3) Drain cooling system.
(4) Remove hoses from radiator and engine.
(5) Remove radiator and fan assembly.
(6) Remove air cleaner and hoses.
(7) Remove air conditioning compressor mounting
bolts and set compressor aside, if equipped.
(8) Remove power steering pump mounting bolts
and set pump aside.
(9) Remove oil filter.
(10) Disconnect fuel line, heater hose and accelerator
cable.
(11) Disconnect all electrical connections and harnesses
at throttle body and engine.
(12) Manual Transmission
(a) Disconnect clutch cable.
(b) Remove transmission case lower cover.
(c) Disconnect exhaust pipe at manifold.
(d) Disconnect starter and lay aside.
(e) Install transmission holding fixture.
(13) Automatic Transmission
(a) Disconnect exhaust pipe at manifold.
(b) Disconnect starter and lay aside.
(c) Remove transmission case lower cover.
(d) Mark flex plate to torque converter.
(e) Remove screws holding torque converter to
flex plate.
(14) Attach C clamp on front bottom of torque converter
housing to prevent torque converter from coming
out.
(15) Install transmission holding fixture.
(16) Remove right inner splash shield (Fig. 5).
(17) Remove ground strap.
(18) To lower engine separate right engine bracket
from yoke bracket. To raise engine remove long bolt
through yoke and insulator. IF INSULATOR TO
RAIL SCREWS ARE TO BE REMOVED, MARK INSULATOR
POSITION ON SIDE RAIL TO INSURE
EXACT INSTALLATION (Fig. 4).
(19) Remove transmission case to cylinder block
mounting screws.
CAUTION: Make sure clutch cable has been disconnected.
(20) Remove front engine mount screw and nut.
(21) Remove manual transmission damper.
(22) Remove left insulator through bolt from inside
wheelhouse or insulator bracket to transmission
screws.
(23) Remove engine from vehicle.

I usually do it this way. Personally, I've dropped and raised engines to remove them, I prefer to hoist them out.

I just don't like the risk of dropping the hood onto the windshield and busting it (seen it done even with 2 people) let alone dropping on the fenders or anywhere else.