I was just looking up how i can replace the main and rod bearings in my 86 iroc-z. i know since i have the cross member i have to lift the engine to clear it. but cant i remove the cross meber so i can make things a littl easier. then i can just drop the oil pan. i can do bearings while the motors still in, i just wonder if i can take out the k-member to make less likely to break the pickup or anything else. thanks!!!

 

Why remove the crossmember? Pulling the engine is so much easier, to remove the crossmember everything has to come apart.

 

You'd have to compress or remove both springs, unbolt the struts, unhook the front brake line crossover, unbolt steering idler, separate steering cross link from pitman arm, safely support the weight of the motor, unbolt motor mounts, unbolt cross member triangle braces, then the six mounting bolts. If you pull the motor, you can clean it up and throw some new gaskets at it.

 

I agree that you're making more work for yourself that way and you'd have to work in a much tighter/more dangerous space underneath an engine held by a hoist.