E34 M50 engine removal

[laharbimmer]

It's time to dig out the high mile engine out of my 525. Per our B bible it calls for a special tool to hook the rear side of the engine. I looked around and do not see a particular place to use as a rear point to hoist the engine out. Any help/advice would be much appreciated. I've decided to remove the engine with the tranny attached as it seems that the 2inch space between the engine and the firewall are going to prove a pain in the arse in removing the upper bolts. Also should be much easier to align the splines with both the engine and tranny out of the car. I've done plenty of rwd cars/clutches but this is my first bimmer and learning the ropes.

Many thanks and a great 2008!!

[d3ity]

well, i can't help you with that bmw special tool, (probably made of unobtanium... theres a few places that might have it listed in the front of your bible)

But I would suggest finding an even higher mileage e30 to put that m50 in.

[chinonca]

If you cant locate the special lifting tool,another way could be to remove the cylinder head first then remove the engine might be easier! Once you remove the cylinder head you should be able to access your upper tranny bolts. Its much easier to just remove the engine by it self then to remove it with the tranny!!

[laharbimmer]

Thanks Chinonka Makes sense too on removing the head ahead of time as I was planning to see where the H2O leak in #5 was coming from, head gasket or cracked head?? My plan was to get the bad engine out asap and then drop the newer one back in.

[chinonca]

Your water leak is probably coming from the head gasket may also be the head! I repaired my boys m50 wich was leaking externally from that same cylinder! i also repaired my m50 with the same problem except my head was cracked on number 5 combustion chamber! Are you looking on swapping it out with another m50??