Thanks for that Helios, I was going to get a 4 poster so maybe I will get a wheel free. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Thanks everbody for all the replies to my initial post.
I'm pleased to report that the engine does come out the top way easily.
I used the 6 bolt holes on the subframe for the engine undertray and bolted steel channels across under the engine including a formica topped 4mm steel sheet flush with the engine sump as a ski plate, (on adjuster bolts for height). I added adjustable bolts to enable support jacking to the autobox.
The adjusters and ski plate allowed the engine to be slid accurate away from the autobox.
The Power steering pump was lifted into the place of the rad header tank and tywrapped.
The aircon pump was manouvered under the chassis leg and tywrapped.
The engine wiring harnesses were tucked away in front of the battery, still fully connected to the car bulkhead etc
The bonnet gas struts were released and the bonnet lifts to the vertical, it was roped forwards using the bonnet catch loop and roped rearward to the back wheel, (to keep it from falling fore / aft).
All engine front ancilliaries were removed including the aircon/alternator/powersteering vertical mount, the oil filter housing and dipstick tube.
The radiator fans /housing were all left fully installed.
The engine (with turbo still on) was lifted using a Clark top (adjustable) cradle bolted to the engine lift lugs and using a standard engine hydraulic arm lift.
The Clarke adjustable lift cradle allowed minor tilting side to side whilst juggling the engine out.
I am now to change parts from the old engine to the replacement engine and will report later on instalation.
I now have many engine parts for sale from a 2010 2.2 engine including a 2009 high output turbo on manifold 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

i think defenderben needs a cylinder head after the cams seized !

Today with help from a colleague we re-installed the engine back in from the top, it was an absolute doddle of a job. The steelwork ski plate and gearbox adjustable jacking screws worked perfectly.
Tomorrow I will try and finish adding all the ancilliaries.

There are very clear reasons for doing an engine change from the top!!!
No draining and removing power steering
No dismantling of Scuttle to remove wiring and ECU's
No dismantling and removing Radiators and fan assy
No depressure and refill aircon
No undoing suspension
No removing rear central propshaft
No draining and disconnecting gearbox
No taking out driveshafts
No dropping out of subframes

Now I just need to find out if the engine I bought is any good!

Kind regards to all who passed coment on my seemingly crazy method of engine change 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

I'm pleased to say that the engine change has all gone well, the car is beatifully quiet now as it should be.

I did have quite a few hiccups with engine build specification, my original engine would appear to be dec 2009 build, the replacement was about April 2009 build. I ended up changing all my acilliary parts to the replacement engine, differences included
1/ My car has a swirl inlet manifold
2/.The egr valve and its operation
3/. the Turbo and its manifold and heatshield (the replacement had water cooled Turbo bearings)
4/. The Crank Angle sensor AND its reluctor disc
5/. The wiring harness
For anyone needing an engine change I would advise removing the old engine first and making large photos to take with you and compare to the replacement engine.

Interestingly the auto and manual gearbox make no difference to the basic engine fixings. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

I would be intigued to know if anybody has followed and changed an engine by removing out the top as I did and started this thread.
Please let me know, ta  2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

good job that man!, I dont know if I would call myself a good home mechanic, but I have always been a little afraid of messing with a modern engine. I am really impressed you pulled this one off no problem!.. Did you take any photos, would you be interested in writing up a diary online for future reference!! : )

Well I guess it's not much of an update!
The car now has 2,000 miles on the replacement engine with no problems (except for glow plugs change which I've posted elsewhere). It's used no oil and runs sweet. I'm now on the updates if front bumper facelift, changed headlight bulbs, led puddle and footwell . Next is adding mirror lamps which ill detail soon.
I would still like to know if anybody has followed my post for top engine removal.
Cheers guys. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

next update
now on 3k miles since the transplant, just had a non start problem which was a loose heavy red cable at the battery, other than that - all is good. engine typically gives 25mpg towing and up to 41.5MPG on the flat.
The original engine with big end problem has gone via ebay to Lithuania; the SD4 turbo of the new engine is now on its way to Sri Lanka, i'm just left with SD4 injectors, HP fuel pump and vac pump all listed in the for sale section.
Has anybody else done a top engine change yet?
Kind regards
Fred  2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva