I believer it can be done either way it'* just a matter of time and preference.

It was put in from the bottom at the factory, and is probably easiest to work on if you lift the body off of the subframe with engine, transaxle, suspension, accessories, etc. attached, but should be able to be pulled from the top.

Does anyone have instructions on how to remove cylinder head. I may have a friend who might take it on. How long should it take considering all the electronics and air box and and valve cover is removed. There was a small piece (about and inch and half) with wheel on it and cylindrical bearings in it that was broken on first cylinder.
I was told that it is the piece that makes contact with valve stem and makes it move.

Sounds like the rocker/roller busted off. Unless you are going to rebuild that engine you best consider a replacement.

It'* time for you to invest in a service manual for this engine.

There is no way for us to estimate this, especially considering all of the damage that we know about. How long to remove the cylinder head? probably an hour. How long to remove it in such a way as to be able to reinstall it easily? Probably 2 hours. If all you're doing is removing and reinstalling it then setting it on a shelf. You're talking about a head (and probably engine) with heavy damage that you also want to be able to drive once the last wrench is put away. Best bet would be to ask your friend, and then double whatever answer your friend gives you.

Sounds like a follower to me. How does this break? Usually by valves and pistons colliding.

I am considering replacing with used engine. They are quite expensive right now. Is there a way the mechanic can test the quality of the engine before installing. If he installs and there is a problem, I would likely have to pay for the install and removal. Can an engine be started without installing to look for signs of knock or any other issues. The junk yard usually does a compression test as far as I know and what number should I be looking for for compression.

A mechanic can check some things on it before installing, but mostly it would have to be inspection, not testing.

Correct. Maybe your mechanic can manage getting a used engine for you from their recommended supplier. That might increase the odds of success and/or lower the price to pull out a bad donor engine.

Not easily. Rigging this up would be more expensive than just installing it.

They do? News to me. Which junk yard?

Does your mechanic not have this information available through their own resources?

A few tips:

- Get the odometer reading of the donor car if possible
- Maybe the junkyard will get you a picture of the vehicle the engine is coming out of.
- See if you can get a VIN for the vehicle that the used engine came out of. Google the VIN and see if you can find it was sold at auction somewhere with major rear-end damage or some other damage that would not affect the engine. This would allow you to infer that it probably ran fine until the event happened.

The Mechanic told me that the junk yard usually does compression test. Didn't say which yard

How many hours of labor to do the engine swap on this vehicle ?

That'd be something for a flat rate book to tell you. I don't know what surprises are in store. Your mechanic should be able to tell you.