Have a 94 civic dx, 185K. compression is 70-70-110-70. Purchased used, poor maintainence, quit running after a couple of weeks. Planning to replace motor with used d15 from 95 with good compression. Never pulled a front wheel drive motor. Not even sure where to begin. I have heard you can take them either up or down. Can you remove the front clip for better access? Very narrow garage, limited depth also. Any pointers to make this easier would be appreciated.

 

When I did my swap. I lowered the motor onto the ground, then lifted the car up and pulled the motor out.

You cannot remove the front clip to my knowledge.

 

I've done a couple by lifting the engine out the top with a comealong attached to the ceiling joists. Raise the front of the car and put on jack stands and take both front wheels off. Then undo the lower ball joints and swing the knuckles out so you can disengage the CV axles from the transmission. Also disconnect the exhaust (at the front of the converter), undo the shift linkage, unbolt the A/C compressor (Do not disconnect the refrigerant hoses), and remove the alternator while you are under there. Then put the ball joints back and put the wheels back on.

There is an extra spot for the prop rod to raise the hood really high so you can take the engine out (with transmission attached) without removing the hood. After you lift the engine out the top, roll the car backwards, set down the bad engine and hook up the new engine, push the car underneath the good engine and install it.

 

I did all mine from the top, you should borrow or rent an engine hoist.