How to Remove the Engine From My 1995 Trans Am

The 1995 Trans Am comes with several engines, but the 5.0- and 5.7-liter engines are the most common, since the Trans Am is a muscle car. You might need to remove the engine to detail the engine compartment or, if you are in the habit of racing your Trans Am, you might have to rebuild it -- or you might want to upgrade it by boring and stroking the engine. Since the 1995 Trans Am is fuel-injected, any internal engine upgrades require a computer (PCM) upgrade, else the vehicle will not run properly. Programmable PCMs are available at many speed shops.

Things You'll Need

• Set of wrenches
• Marker and tape
• Screwdriver
• 2 drain pans
• Set of line wrenches
• Distributor wrench
• 2 floor jacks
• Jack stands
• Engine hoist

Instructions

1. Locate the relay box near the driver's side fenderwell. Lift the cover off the box, and using the diagram on the underside of the cover, locate the fuel pump relay. Pull the relay out of its socket with your fingers. Start the vehicle and allow it to run until it stalls, to relieve fuel pressure. If the vehicle doesn't start, crank it over four or five times.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable, using the appropriate wrench. Set it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Disconnect the positive battery cable. Follow the negative battery cable to the other end. If it is attached to the engine, remove it from the engine. If it is attached to the body or frame, you do not need to disconnect it.

3. Match-mark the hood bolts to the hood, so you know where the adjustment is when you put the hood back on. Remove the hood, using the appropriate socket. Loosen the clamps on the air ducts, using a screwdriver. Pull the ducts off the air cleaner box. Remove the air cleaner box, using the appropriate socket.

4. Slide one drain pan under the radiator petcock. Loosen the petcock and allow the coolant to drain. Discard the coolant in an appropriate manner. Slide the other drain pan under the transmission cooler lines. Remove the lines at the radiator, using the appropriate line wrench. Disconnect the fan's electrical connectors and the retaining clips. Remove the fan. Remove the fan shroud, using the appropriate socket.

5. Loosen the clamps on the upper and lower radiator hoses at the engine and radiator sides. Pull the hoses off the engine and radiator. Remove the radiator, using the appropriate sockets. Slide the appropriate socket over the bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley. Rotate the pulley toward the center of the engine to loosen tension on the belt. Lift the belt off the pulleys.

6. Disconnect the throttle cable, using the screwdriver and sockets. Remove the plenum extension screws and the plenum extension, if equipped. Pull the spark plug wires off the plugs and the distributor. Remove the distributor hold-down bolt, using the distributor wrench. Remove the distributor.

7. Label all wiring and vacuum hoses on the engine, using the tape and marker. Unplug the wiring harness connectors and remove the vacuum hoses. Remove the wiring from the alternator, using the appropriate wrench. Remove the high- and low-pressure lines from the power steering pump, using the appropriate line wrench. Unbolt and remove the power steering pump and the alternator. Unplug the wiring harness connector from the air compressor. Remove the air compressor and set it aside, but do not disconnect the hoses.

8. Jack up the vehicle, using the floor jack, and support it with jack stands. Remove the wiring from the starter, using the appropriate wrench. Remove the starter, using the appropriate sockets. Unbolt the exhaust pipes at the exhaust manifolds. Loosen the brackets on the exhaust pipes and move the pipes out of the way, if they are in the way, otherwise, let them hang.

9. Remove the flywheel cover and the converter-to-flywheel bolts using the appropriate sockets. Support the transmission with the floor jack. Remove the bellhousing bolts and motor mount through bolts, using the appropriate sockets. Lower the vehicle off the jack stands, using a floor jack. Remove the AIR/converter bracket and ground wires from the back of the head, using the appropriate socket. Attach the engine hoist to the engine and lift it out of the engine compartment, carefully, checking to ensure that you did not leave any wires or hoses connected.