Cam belt apparantly skipped a tooth in my 2000 TL and grenaded the motor. I can't even turn the crank via the crank bolt 10 degrees either left or right via a socket wrench without hitting something hard. Anyway, I am going to pull it and install a lower milage used motor. The question is-can I pull it out the top? Chilton's gives a procedure for lowering it out through the chassis.
Since I don't have a lift, but do have access to a engine hoist, I would much prefer to come out the top rather than having to pick up the front end at least 30" or more. Any suggestions welcome.

 

It can be done, as this is what our Mega Mod fsttyms1 did when he converted to a manual trans:

 

So you had to pull the tranny prior to lifting the motor? The "expert" at the recycler's said that it could be done also, but a lot more work. I just have to figure out how to lift the front end 24" with a floor jack, without dropping something. The guy said to lower the engine to the ground and then lift the car.

 

if u dont know how to do this it can be hard but if u do its not hard at all about 2 hours to get it out and the tranny doesnt have to come out i do this all the time just make sure u get the tourqe converter bolt out before u pull it out i see too many people forget and twek the flywheel good luck

 

Pull the trans and motor out at the same time. Believe me you will thank yourself. It will be far easier to unhook the trans and rehook it together. It is far easier to bring it out the top.
Also you can unhook the wire harness from teh ecu and pull it thru the firewall and re wire every thing outside the engine compartment far easier.