M42 removal question

[giorgakis14]

Hey guys I'm in the process of removing my blown m42 for a m42 from a e36. Its my first engine swap and I'm familiar with all the parts I'm going to have to swap over. My main concern is if I should remove the enginr with the tranny or if I should just leave the trans in there. If that's the case does anyone have advice how to get to the upper bell housing bolts?

Thanks for the help guys.

[keflaman]

Welcome to the forum.

Depends on how you're situated. Do you have a lift or engine hoist? Are you going to do it on jack stands? You can pull the engine/tranny out as a unit from the top or bottom. I included a couple of threads below to give you an idea.

http://www.m42club.com/forum/index.php?topic=18614.msg127833#msg127833
http://www.m42club.com/forum/index.php?topic=14842.msg112380#msg112380

[normboudreault]

I had my car up on jackstands and removed it without the tranny.. It was a pretty tight fit to get it out...

The bolts on the bell housing are quite straightforward.. I got most from beneath the car and if I remember a couple from up top.. None were too difficult..

The "hard" part was getting the starter out..it requires some patience and a good selection of bad words.. 

If you can, remove the exhaust headers as this will make the whole thing easier...

Good luck..

[giorgakis14]

thanks for the help guys. its on jackstands whats hard about removing the starter? getting to the bolts from the trans side?

[normboudreault]

They were just hard to reach/get out.. They will come out but it was probabbly the most ardous part of removing the engine.. Dont sweat it.. 

[giorgakis14]

did you have anything supporting the transmission wile you where swapping the motor out? or is the tranny brace enough to keep it put?