Rep Power: 245

Well after 7 years and 200,000 miles i finally broke my d17a2!!! Got a nasty knock in the block, assuming rod!! And of course i just did a head gasket this february. So i went and got a used motor exact replacement for 800. Got 55,000 and it is out of a 03 ex.

My question is i have all but the axles and exhaust off, yet to climb under it, why the hell cant this come out the top? I see clearence but am not understanding the reason to drop the subframe if i dont have to. I read other posts but not really answering my questions. Some say ok to, but others say its impossible. Please help me. This is my first sawap and without a lift i am super afraid to endevour down this path.

I have a 04 ex d17a2/ 5spd trans, 4dr. Putting in a 03 d17a2 and swapping my trans and clutch over after removal.

I am in desperate need to get a final verdict on this. Any help would be amazing!!!

 
Rep Power: 284

I have a feeling you were reading a recent thread on dropping the transmission, we discussed clearance issues with pulling the transmission from the top, when separated from the block.

The engine with the transmission attached can be pulled from the top, no need to mess with the subframe.

see..

 
Rep Power: 245

Awsome!!! I noticed you dont seem to have abs, i do. Will i have to remove it? That is another dread of mine.

 
Rep Power: 284

I actually stole that pic from the auto-to-manual diy, fortunately I haven't needed to pull my engine yet, although I hear the beginnings of what I'm trying to convince myself isn't a rod knock.

You won't need to remove the abs module, here's another picture. It's a bit small, but if you look closely you can see the abs module is still at home in the bay after the engine was pulled.

 
Rep Power: 245

Ok good. I have a buddy who keeps telling me that because i have a manual trans i wont be able to take it out the top because of the linkage. He is a gm mechanic but he is used to older 5th and 6th gen civics. I hope he is wrong. Like i said i havent been under the car yet but will be tommarow. I will try to get a few pics if i have the time. Anyone have any knowledge of what my friend is speaking of? To me from what i see there are to cables on the top off the trans under the air cleaner with a cotter pin holding the and a bracket that can be undone and moved out of the way to remove. And the left side trans mount can be removed from the car and there is like an inch or 2. And if i pull the crank pulley for extra clearance. Unless there is something im not seing!!

 
Rep Power: 811

its possible older civics dont have the room to pull everything from the top. the 7thgen it should come out as one piece without too much trouble.

 
Rep Power: 245

I sure hope so. Cant get this sick feeling out of my stomach about dropping the subframe with out a lift and dropping everything

 
Rep Power: 245

Both these pictures are of autos it appears. Still no word on a manual!!!

 
Rep Power: 284

The second pic is of a manual. It's from Brobo's build thread, it's on the first page in member rides, check it out.

 
Rep Power: 245

Ok i see it now. Thanks. Hope this all works out for me. I pm'd Brobo also!!

 
Rep Power: 252

Hmm I didnt think you could do it from the top. I am just curious do you sort of have to tilt the motor for it to clear to come out the top?

 
Rep Power: 245

I got under today and pulled the axles and drained the trans and oil. Undid the shift cables and bracket to trans and pulled them out of the way. Removed alt, ps, and a/c. I dont see why it wont come out the top!!! I have basically done the whole thing myself. I am gonna try to pull it tommarow when i get some more help. It should come out. Honestly seems to be enough clearance. I HOPE!!!!!

 
Rep Power: 245

Will i need a 03 ecu? I never thought of that till i just read something on another post!!

 
Rep Power: 284

to my knowledge, the engines themselves are identical, it's just the sensor differences. So, your 04 ex ecu should be able to run an 03 ex engine. The issue was discussed awhile ago and one of the resident mechanics chimed in and agreed.

 
Rep Power: 245

God I hope so. I dont even think the sensors are different from what i can see!! I guess i'll know soon!!

 
Rep Power: 284

*fingers crossed*

I'm 95% sure you won't have any trouble.

Oh something we haven't discussed!

The throttle body in an at and mt car is different, if the replacement engine is originally from an automatic, you'll need to swap your original tb over.

 
Rep Power: 245

Yeah it was from a at, but the guy kept the tb anyway. And the flywheel More work!!

 
Rep Power: 245

Sad!!




Is this a safe place to hook a chain to?

 
Rep Power: 245

New used motor. Been sitting awhile apparently!!



Freaking broken pulley on 03 motor. More work. Just ordered the tool to pull it.

 
Rep Power: 192

Yeah that motor looks like it's been sitting for awhile. I'd at least change the timing belt, if you have the funds change the water pump and tensioner as well. Since it only has 55k on the motor I assume the belt is original and is 10 years old now....and hasn't been run in years. The crank pulley removal tool is a big help...sucks waiting for parts though.

In my Mustang days I picked up a 5.0L from the junk yard that had been sitting for awhile. The motor was fine but I had to re-tap all the threads where the transmission mounts to the block because they were badly rusted. Just something to watch out for.

 
Rep Power: 245

Yeah i just had my water pump timing service done in february so im just gonna swap it all over when i can get the damn thing out thursday hopefully. As far as the tapping part i should be good because they removed it from the car a day before I bought it. Then removed trans and tb. That part should be ok. I hope!!

 
Rep Power: 245

Some more pics. The crank pulley tool is being overnighted. 15$ on Amazon, 35 to overnight!! Oh well it's gotta get done






Should of pulled from ecu, but was not aware you could do that






Damn pulley!! Should of bought it years ago. My homemade tool just wont cut it!!



Cables zipped up!!

 
Rep Power: 245

So if anyone cares I got the motor out the top. Tried to remove my trans and on reinstall blew a roller bearing off the countershaft that fell out out the back off the clutch housing

 
Rep Power: 284

I'm glad to hear the engine came out the top fine, I would hate if I spread misinformation.

To bad about the trans issue, these things never can just go completely smoothly.

 
Rep Power: 245

It's just one of those things you never plan for. I gotta get a new clutch housing, 275$ and seals and 2 new bearings. Total 393$ after shipping and taxes!!! Hell of a mistake!!! Just having a issue figuring where the reverse cam lock and reverse holder go. I can figure it out but a little advise would be nice!!! I posted it under need tranmission help!!