Any of the engine pulls I've done I used 4 axle stands to get everything loosened up then lowered the front onto its wheels and raised the rear as high as it would safely go. Doing this I have never needed anything other than a normal hoist.

Disclaimer: I've not done a Miata engine pull so your success may vary with this.

 

I've only had to lower the front when my cheery picker hit my garage door.

 

We were doing the same thing this weekend.

I pulled mine Saturday (load leveler really helps), prepped new (used) motor and swapped parts from old to new yesterday morning, and got it in during afternoon/evening.

I still have a few things left to connect, and decided it would be better to take my time another day as opposed to staying up till midnight and wrapping it up sloppily.

Really straight-forward. A little bit of work, but if you label all connectors, bag and label all fasteners, and make a good list of steps and things you need, can't forget, you're golden.

I use a dry erase board with three categories: PULL, SWAP, IN&FINISH.

Good luck.

 

real men leave all bolts randomly on the ground or the cowl cover. The only things I never put back correctly are the wire loom clips that I don't care about.

 

+1 in case you are considering it there is no question IMO that it is easier to remove/install the motor/trans as an assembly.

 

+2...you will thank yourself.


Oh...and tranny isn't heavy at all. I pushed mine in while holding it like a barrel with motor on hoist 4ft in the air. Have someone ready to thread in a few bolts.

 

I like the leaving all the bolts just laying on the ground method also. Makes it like a puzzle when you go to reinstall everything. You also end up with some weight savings when you have left over bolts that you have no clue where they go.

 

i don't think i've ever had any left overs. only the ones I'm too lazy to refit...

 

Not if you have a lift in your garage!

 

The two times I've pulled my motor I left the tranny in the car but both times I had already blown the motor so the head was already off. Life is much easier taking the engine from the trans with no head in the way

 

That I'll concede to, but I'll never be stupid enough to try removing the tranny ever again.

 

My method also. I hate to think how many nuts/bolts/washers/sockets are lost down the hole by the fender in my driver side cowl opening.

 

I don't think I've lost any bolts there, maybe a washer from time to time. What I can never figure out it how I lost my 16mm socket when I was installing my harnesses!

 

I also do this. +10 on removing the trans/engine as a unit. Also I lowered the front of my car after removing the wheels. Really only because my lift was broken. Getting it back in is extremely simple as well, as long as you have one of those balance things for the lift so you can angle it how you want.