Day 1 of engine swap

27. Now that we are resolved to replace the engine with a short block, started removing components to get the motor and transaxle out of car. First step was removing the radiator. Pretty easy...disconnected the hose at the bottom and removed the two bolts at the top.

28. Removed the three bolts attaching the AC compressor to the block. Hog tied it to the front of the car to keep it out of the way when we lift the block out.

29. Removed the clutch slave cylinder. In spite of warnings to not disconnect the line with the fluid, I accidentally stepped on the clutch pedal tonight and it shot the piston right out of the cylinder, pissing brake fluid all over the garage floor. The fluid looked dark and contaminated, probably needing to be flushed anyway so I'm convincing myself it was a blessing in disguise...

30. Removed the transmission linkage cables. There was so much crap built up on the housing that I couldn't tell how to remove the cables. Finally figured out the angled flanges at the top of where the cable mounted on the housing were actually clips that pulled out. Was able to pull them free with a couple of good yanks.

31. Now we had to dive under the car to remove the axles from the transmission. Drained the transmission fluid and then sent my 14 year old under the car to remove the bolts from the driver side axle. The lower bolts were easy to access with a box end wrench however had a tougher time with the upper bolts. Realized there was a shield in the 10 o'clock position that we removed and gave us access to the other two bolts.

32. The tech manual instructions showed removing the knuckle mounting bolts from the driver side wheel assembly to be able to swing the assembly outboard, giving space to pull the axle out of the transmission. Not even...wouldn't budge. Gave up on the driver side for awhile and we attacked the passenger side axle. Removed the large e-clip and the bolt retaining the bearing as well as the mounting bolts holding the bearing housing to the block. Removed the knuckle mounting bolts on the passenger side wheel assembly and swung it outward which gave us room to pull the axle from the transmission. It pulled out from the spline gear just fine.

33. Okay, back to the driver side. Was able to get the outer cover backed out a bit but couldn't get it to budge any further. Will have to show this to the Toyota Nation forum to ask what they think.