zagamuffin

Whats the better way to remove , from the top or bottom.....

Ultra_Nexus

I say bottom (If you have a ramp) because you have to get under there are drop the subframe to get to the gearbox bellhousing bolts anyway.

zagamuffin

Cheers ultra, presume there are no suprise Honda only fixings like the French .....

mr-pitts

As said above if you have a ramp, I haven't so I took mine out from above. An engine lift is a must. I needed one as I was working on my own and certainly wouldn't have managed without one.. Before you split it whichever way you go make sure you remove the clutch fork.

hazdjc

From above is the best way, but you will need an engine lift (you can hire them). The engine will come out with the gear box connected. Lots of room in the engine bay to do this.

Floppy

Having done both ways I'd say from underneath. Disconnect the prop shaft from the gearbox, undo the gearbox mounting brackets and the 6 bolts on the subframe and then the whole lots comes down in one go. Obviously make sure your hoist is nice and secure around the engine first though so you can lower it gently. Splitting the box from the engine and lifting out the top you'll get stuck by the bolts on the top of the gearbox bell housing that sit right against the bulkhead or if lifting it all out in one go you'll still need considerable clearance underneath to allow the box to swing down and then lift out so you may as well drop it IMO.

Also, leave the starter motor in place and then remove it once you can see it properly. Otherwise you WILL break the knock sensor removing the top starter motor bolt. Its highly likely the knock sensor will break anyway as they are so fragile after all the heat cycles they go through, I broke one with the bolt from the starter and the other just snapped off in my hand as I pressed the clip down on the multi plug attached to it after I got the whole engine and box out. Best place to order a replacement is CFL Honda in Florida as it'll be about £70 including fedex delivery and taxes etc other wise add about another £100 if you buy it from Honda UK.

HTH

zagamuffin

Great info lads , have an engine hoist but not a ramp , anymore good advise on this job,,,,,

Ultra_Nexus

Just take your time and have lots of cups of tea.

If something won't budge, take a break rather than doing what I do and getting frustrated and angry!!

If it take you a couple of days to remove it, but you do it in one piece, job is a full on guddun

zagamuffin

Might put off the head first , may it a little easier and lighter

mr-pitts

Leave the head on, if possible remove both manifolds,altanator, starter, air con pump.all the bits that are going to get in your way.... And all the hoses.i found take the weight on the lift, remove the engine mounts, slacken the gearbox mount off, lower the engine down onto the subframe. That way you can get at the awkward top bolts, don't forget to slide out the clutch fork. Once you have the weight of the engine on the lift there is a lever slot in the middle bottom of the engine/box joint you can get a pry bar in and start to split it using that.it may be worth removing the Rad so the wayward swinging engine doesn't damage it.Also you may find that you need to remove the front bumper so you can get the lift point far enough back fo a central lif.... Even when it's fully extended.finally as you lift jus keep checking around to make sure nothing is snagged on the engine when lifting.Remove as many sensors as you can because with the engine weight it's easy to crush one and some are quite expensive...... Good luck, be carfull and be safe when you are doing it...... So no lying underneath checking the sump when it's on the lift