Engine Removal - Tips & Tricks

I am approaching the point where it will soon be time to pull the engines on my 2 bikes so I can do the swap. I have been standing there looking at them and trying to decide the best method. If they were small block Chevy's I would have no problem but since I have never done this type of work before I thought it would be prudent to ask you folks who have done this in the past if there are any tricks or tips.

They are both 1982 XS400SJ's with original engines and about 200 numbers apart on the VIN numbers. So far everything seems identical and there is no evidence of Bubba having wrenched on them.

Should I line up a second set of hands before I begin?
Are there any tools, jacks, or lifts that may help?
Any rough idea of what kind of weight am I looking at?
Any pitfalls?

Any comments will be appreciated.

Yesterday I did the opposite. I put the engine in the frame.
I put the motor on the side and with a friend we inserted the frame.
it is very easy, very safe and not tiring.

I think you can do the same to pull on.

I found this picture on the internet that will explain better than my bad English!

i spent hours trying to figure this out. then i did it on the side and just felt right.

engines go in and out on the right hand side, I usually get the wife to help with heavy stuff

I wrestled mine out the left side, by myself, and most definitely will not try that again! I've had it in and out of the frame around 6 times since then, and every time was done like the photo above.

I'd say you're looking at an easy 80 pounds, just by guessing, so you may need a helper!

Thanks guys. I am just about ready but will probably have to step back for a couple of days due to other stuff that has to be done. Good thing is that I will have help available when the time comes. It won't be the wife though Drewpy, she has to fetch the beer.

"It won't be the wife though Drewpy, she has to fetch the beer."

I guess the wife is good for something after all...refreshments!

Just an update on where I am with this. On Sunday I had both engines completely ready, I mean they were totally undone and just resting on the frames. One thing I did in preparation was to have all the mounts undone before my help showed up. I did this by using my garage jack under each engine with a small piece of 2X4 to just take enough weight off to remove the engine mount bolts, including the rear.

One of my son-in-laws came over and between the two of us it was about 20 minutes to swap the engines and have the mounts all hand tight. Real easy two person job but I can see how it would be a bear if you tried it on your own.

Now it's time to start putting all the bits and pieces back together.

63-Coupe said:

Just an update on where I am with this. On Sunday I had both engines completely ready, I mean they were totally undone and just resting on the frames. One thing I did in preparation was to have all the mounts undone before my help showed up. I did this by using my garage jack under each engine with a small piece of 2X4 to just take enough weight off to remove the engine mount bolts, including the rear.

One of my son-in-laws came over and between the two of us it was about 20 minutes to swap the engines and have the mounts all hand tight. Real easy two person job but I can see how it would be a bear if you tried it on your own.

Now it's time to start putting all the bits and pieces back together.

Click to expand...

Then get to it!!!! haha