Easiest way to remove 1.8 8v engine? Mk2

[Mirage-]

Guys

Might be a bit of a stupid question, or maybe even a lot of a stupid question but what's the easiest way to remove and re-fit an 8v engine in a mk2 gti?

I was thinking that since the front-end of a mk2 is all bolt-on it would probably make sense to un-bolt the exhaust after the downpipe, remove the front bumper and slam panel/radiator, engine mountings and lift it out forward?

Basically I'm trying to remove the engine to do the head gasket but the exhaust manifold is also blowing so wanted to be able to take that off clean it up fit new gaskets and bolt it all back up before it's back in the engine bay where there is virtually no room to get to the exhaust manifold without having to pull the inlet manifold off... which is difficult to get to because of the exhaust manifold/bulkhead!!!!

Cheers

Ian

[...joe]

if your doing the head gasket just split the downpipe from the manifold and take the head off with both manifolds attached, then its easy to get to everything and you can clean it all up, re-assemble and put it back on as you took it off. i've done it like this and is pretty easy, the only thing is some of the exhaust manifold to downpipe nuts can be a bastard to get off so spray a ton of wd40 on them and get them hot and they should pop off easily enough. if you do this from below its easy enough with an extension bar or two....

[Mirage-]

You know I didn't even think about removing the head without taking the engine out as I always assumed that the inlet/exhaust were too near the bulkhead to be able to angle them enough to pull out. 

Will definately have to bear that in mind.  My idea was that since I have a spare engine in my other car thats not long since had the head gasket done (but can't be done again, head can't be skimmed no more) I was going to swap the engines over completely and then work on the new engine doing what I can performance wise in the meantime so that once ready I could simply swap them back over.

Cheers

Ian

[Judderi]

If your swapping the full engine then i would recomend removing the front section like you said.

[sellers]

if it was me, i would get a jack under the engine, take the front mount off, lower teh jack and rock it forward as much as it will go, and you will get easy access top the exhaut and inlet, then carry on with gettinf the head off and then re assemble,

u will need a jack to jack the car up, then a jack for the engine

[...joe]

i wouldn't bother swapping the engine unless you have to, your only making more work for yourself. its easy enough to do without getting all cowboy style like sellers said! you can have it all apart, skimmed and back together in a day. its pretty straightforward.....

[sellers]

cowboy style pah lol

engine mounts are supposed to me flexible, its a test on their flexibility

[...joe]

yeah but any hoses, exhaust (until you unbolt it) and wiring will get pulled about which is never a good thing! plus they aint meant to be that flexable....

yee haa!!

[Mr Blue]

cowboy style pah lol

engine mounts are supposed to me flexible, its a test on their flexibility

Sellers. Thats more like Shoddy Shodderson and Son's LTD mate 

[VeeDubGTI16v]

kwik fit stylee