How do I remove front end ready for engine swap?

[golfmk2boy]

Hi,

I am swapping my golf engine for a replacement 8valve gti engine at the weekend.

I am prepping the car now ready for the install.

I have never removed the front end before and I have been told it would help to do this.

Please help, what is involved?

[Judderi]

Its pretty easy really.

1st remove your grill. A few clips here and there

2nd Remove your front bumper. If you get under the car you will see 3 bolts at either side. You need to remove the 2 large ones not the small one in the middle. Once removed the bumper should slide off. You will need to disconect indicators and fogs.

3rd remove the slam pannel. Its held by 2 bolts at each side on the top and a couple of bolts at the bottom sides and centre. Disconect your headlights then remove.

All you have left now is the front cross member. You can either remove the last 2 bolts holding this or leave it there. Remember this is supporting the front of the engine!

[golfmk2boy]

Much appreciated! 

thanks for the excellent guide!

[TIM20]

I would also drop the bonnet off (two bolts either side) it means its out of the way and lets in far more light so you can see what you are doing. 

Another thing to conscider is covering the tops of the wings, as leaning in the car all weekend leads to scratches. 

get some proper covers eg from frost or machine mart or just do the chaep few layers of wide masking tape trick

Good luck with the swap

Tim

[golfmk2boy]

Just finished today's session of the engine swap.

Again thanks for the help.

I manged to get one side's nuts removed however the other side;s wont budge.

Im stuck now.... Any tips for removing welded nuts? 

[Judderi]

Which nuts exactly are you stuck with?

[golfmk2boy]

The big bumper nuts...

I have managed to remove one side, however the other two ones at the driver side wont move