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Rotating / Tilting Engine

D

divisor

New member
Hey everyone! Been browsing these forums as a guest since I bought my Prix this year, and decided to join today - can't wait to get involved! Anyway...
I own a 2002 Grand Prix GT (3.8L 3800 Series 2 N/A) and I decided to change the spark plugs, O2 sensors, coils, and wires this week since she's been running a little rough. (I can hear you laughing already). I can get my arm behind the engine but I cannot pull the boots from the plugs (Yes, I tried pliers, twisting, pulling, pulling and twisting but I cannot get enough leverage or space) so I have done a little research here and on google and decided tilting the motor may be my best bet...my question is (since I've heard / read conflicting information that later models with 3800's were not made to be rotated / tilted [seems odd to me]) CAN I SAFELY TILT / ROTATE THIS ENGINE BY SIMPLY UNBOLTING THE DOGBONES / TOP MOUNTS AND USE A RATCHET STRAP TO TILT THE ENGINE? If so, do I strap to the eyelet on the front of the motor (where the dogbone is) or do I use the back lift bracket (or is that just preference)? Do I need to disconnect anything else? I'm assuming shifting to neutral and setting the parking brake applies to automatic transmissions as well? This is my daily at the moment and I don't want to destroy anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated...
 


Simple as that.

Unbolt dog bones, strap to the engine lift bracket, then hook to somewhere on the core support and it'll come forward to give you a little extra room. And just throw it in Neutral.

Just dont come so far forward the front exhaust manifold smashes the fans shroud.
 
This is the easiest way to tilt the engine.
Set the parking brake and put the car in neutral.
Remove the dog bone mounts.
Use a ratchet strap to pull the engine forward, you should be able to get it to come forward till the manifolds almost touch the radiator.
 
Wow! That was quick! Thank you, guys. That was all I needed to know for now - I'll be doing alot more to this thing in the months to come so expect to hear more from me.
 
Good man. I was hoping to do them soon along with some HV3 inserts while I'm at it. I'm not leaking any fluid at the moment (crosses fingers) but I would imagine I'll need them soon coming up on 150,000 mi.
 


Going to do manifold gaskets as you suggested. The stock is plastic correct? Should I go aluminum? ZZP is offering them so I will most likely order those if possible.
 
I pulled my engine by hand and put one of the dog bone bolts through the hole in the mount. The wires are the hardest part. It takes a lot of twisting and pulling and maybe pliers. Don't forget the dielectric grease in the boots and a little anti seize on the plug threads. It will make it easier next time. AC delco iridium plugs are best
 


Hate to keep this thread alive for so long, but a quick question about blocking the coolant ports in the LIM. Is it still a good idea to plug the ports in the LIM if I am replacing my UIM with the dorman 615-180 (since it apparently has the redesigned EGR area?) or is it just unnecessary in this case (replacing the UIM)? I'll also be doing VC gaskets...any other ideas on what to do while I'm in there?
 
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