engine r&r on Unique

62406 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002, 06:03 PM

WELL GUYS ,
I believe I've made up my mind(this was a real difficult task!) I'm going with Unique. The only thing left is to visit the plant, of which I'm sure from previous posts should prove positive.
But here's my question: Has anyone did an r&r on their FE Unique with the body on, or does it need removal? Not expecting trouble just looking down the road on upgrades. Searches couldn'T t ell me. Alex

FakeSnaks~~ · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002, 07:54 PM

62406: Had a different experience with each of my cars. Learned
a few expensive lessons doing an engine swap on my UK Classic.
Should have removed the body!

After deciding to put a new motor in the Unique, two of us had
the wiring disconnected, hydraulic lines sealed, linkage, radiator
and steering connections off in under 2 hours. Six more bolts
and the body lifts right off. An easy operation that makes an R&R
much less troublesome.

Am extremely pleased with the Unique. Maurice Weaver is first class. Welcome to the Unique family.

Bill

62406 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002, 08:42 PM

Thanks Bill,
A couple hrs more might prove better than worryin about the paint job with 600 lbs hangin over it. Ihave a gantry and maybe I can come up with a supporting harness to lift the body off. But all in do time. Next vacation SOUTHERN BOUND! TNX, ALEX

Homewrecker · #4 (**permalink**) 11-20-2002, 05:28 AM

I've done it with the body on. It can be done with out too much trouble with the tranny attached. The hardest part is getting to the header bolts. Everything else is easy. I have heat shields that stand off the foot boxes 1/4", which made it more difficult. You can get some bolts from the top & some from the bottom, but you have to be a pretty flexible person. It's not a big job to take off the body either though, so I would say it's up to you. It's probably faster, but harder to do with the body on. It's safer for the paint to take the body off. Another thing to consider is that you could mess up the paint taking the body off also.

One more thing. If you do it with the body on, you need to unbolt the headers, raise & tilt the motor up about 1/4 way, take the headers out, then continue lifting & tilting the motor up until it is out. Reverse for install. In other words, you can't pull the motor with the headers on, & you can't install the headers with the motor all the way in. This is what I found out with my FE with the above mentioned heat shields.

All things considered, I can pull my engine & re-install it, with the body on, easily in one day by myself.

Hope this answers your questions.

decooney · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2002, 09:55 AM

Either way is a good idea. If the car is not painted, it would really be cleaner to just remove the body. When installing after the body is on - one thing I did, was to buy a few of the thick packing blankets from U-Haul, cut out the center, and layed it over my engine comparmtent, fenders, front, with a little buble-wrap underneth, just in case. Good luck, you will enjoy the Unique - it will provide you with the "total experience" as stated by another ClubCobra member here recently.

62406 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-2002, 11:20 AM

Thanks guys,
I remember working on those mustangs and failanes in the late 60's with those nasty shock towers and thermactor systems. What a pain! But some how I don't think it will be that tight. I asked the question because everyone shows"builds" and not repairs that often. Thanks again! alex

Bruce Botti · #7 (**permalink**) 11-22-2002, 08:42 PM

Alex,
Welcome to the Unique family. You really can't go wrong with unique. They are great people who make a great vehicle. I agree with Dave....you can pull the engine w/o taking the body off, but the headers are a pain. Especially with the heat shields.
Take care,
Bruce