REMOVING YOUR ENGINE

1 Untangle cooling system

Drain the coolant via the bottom hose and the block’s drain plug. Remove the side valances, all the radiator and heater hoses, then the radiator. Remove the alternator/dynamo and distributor. Disconnect and plug the fuel line to the fuel pump.

2 Remove manifolds

Disconnect the control cables and remove the carburettors. Release the exhaust pipe from the manifold, then undo the bolts securing the inlet and exhaust manifolds to the cylinderhead. Lift away the manifolds, then remove the starter motor.

3 Install your crane

An engine crane can be brought in from the side by removing the nearside front wheel and raising the bonnet fully. Position it and take the engine’s weight using chains on the lifting eyes or a sling under the engine. Don’t attempt to lift it yet.

4 Remove bellhousing bolts

Slide a trolley jack under the car and support the bellhousing, using a rubber pad or block of wood. Remove the bellhousing bolts. Most can be accessed by reaching down between the engine and bulkhead. You can get to the remainder from under the car.

5 Undo engine mounts

Check that the hoist is supporting the engine’s weight, then remove the nuts and washers between the engine mounts and chassis. Adjust the hoist until the mounting bolts can be wriggled out. The engine is now fully supported by the hoist.

6 Lift out engine

Lift the engine in small steps, jacking the bellhousing to match. Keep lifting and wiggling the engine gently until it slides free of the gearbox.

When the input shaft is clear, lift the engine further, rotate it 90° and manoeuvre it out sideways.