how hard is it to remove the engine and tranny without using an engine hoist? like can it be done or would it be easier to spend like $200 for a hoist?

 

just go to pep boys they have a 3 ton hoist for $139 bucks

 

when we were dirt poor we used a oak tree limb in the yard. later when we thought we were rich and had a garage, we reinforced the overhead truss and put a 'stiff leg' post support on each side of the car. you can then use a come-along (primitive, but workable), or a multi-pulley chain hoist (much better). engine hoists are great, but when your not using it, its always in the way. its the kind of thing best bought by several people and shared.

 

Yea we did the same thing except mulbarry tree. My dad was so thrifty.
I bet we pulled 50 engines with that tree.
The hoists at pep boys or checker do fold up nicely.

 

we have no trees...and my garage can barely squeeze two Neons in the garage so space is limited. but i'll check out Pepboys...if i can find one around me.

 

Your garage looks exactly like mine. I pulled my engine over the winter with the door closed and was able to use the hoist from the side of the car just had to turn the wheel one way.
The wifes car had to go for awhile but she got over it.

 

Up till next week when i bought a engine hoist. I use to use a 2 ton come along like dhvaughan is talking about it works very well for both my dohc neon and my sohc neon must have pulled the dohc neon motor 5 times that way and the sohc twice.Just make sure you reinforce rafeters of the garage.

 

you can ust bench the tranny out from underneat, its fairly easy, ust look out for hte crossmember

 

Or you can do the Jonny Cash method "One Piece at a Time"

 

there is a different method you can try that hasnt been mentioned yet.....but make sure you have a few people over to help

jack up the front of the car
take the tires off the car...
remove all the usual junk from the engine compartment....(radiator, fuel line, a/c lines, misc.)
remove the axels from the car....
disconnect the exhaust pipe from the manifold
lay a cinder blok on the ground under the oil pan...and another under the tranny...
lower the jack the the engine and tranny sit on the blocks....make sure to keep tension on the jack so it supports the car...
unbolt and remove all motor and tranny mounts...
when all the mounts are removed, use the jack to lift the car as high as you can....then, use a few friends to lift the car up over the motor and push the car out of the way....(its easy, the car doesnt weigh too much once the motor and tranny are out...)

get the new motor and tranny and set it up on the block.....(friends can help lift it too, its not that hard)
then use the friends to lift the car back over top of the new motor and tranny and set it down....bolt it up and start the re-assembly..

but either way, it would still be easier to get an engine hoist