Given the right tools, knowledge and parts needed, how long does it take to pull one 283 and replace with another 283? Also, anyone know of someone in the Reading PA area to assist? Thanks -

 

With an engine hoist, one or two knowledgable friends, an air ratchet, and 2 - 12 packs of Coronas you could do it in under 4 or 5 hours depending on how much you have to switch over and dealing with rusted/busted bolts if any.

 

4 to 5 hrs is not bad but if you had some Makers Mark instead of beer could cut that time in 1/2

 

Back when I had little money for renting tools (engine hoist) for 4 or more hours, I had swapping Chev SB's down to an art. Before I rented my hoist I disconnected everything including mounts. This took about 2 hours. Then went down and got the hoist. Swapped the engines and only put the mount bolts and two trans bolts in, then took the hoist back within the hour! They only charged me 4 bucks instead of the daily rate of $16. Acouple more hours getting thing back together and running. Yeah, about 5 hours.

 

The 270 is complete with carbs, valve covers, exhaust manifolds, etc. My current 283 I'll just sell complete. I thought it would take about a day. Beautiful correct motor but I'll be glad when it's over.

 

Wish you were closer and for rent!

 

If you want it running that is extra.

If not; less than an hour with air tools.

 

I'm guessing the estimates provided so far to swap an engine, are for a driver quality engine compartment.

If so, assume a swap in a restored engine compartment will take longer since you can't do anything quickly unless you want to damage things.

Is your engine compartment driver or show?

 

I would consider it close to show. I believe the engine in it now was rebuilt before I bought the car last year for it seems strong and in excellent condition and they might have done the compartment at that time when the car was painted. My guy tells me about a week, he works 1/2 days, and said he'll go slow because of damage like your saying. In the beginning he talked about pulling the trans out also just to go over it but I think it just needs adjusting. What price range would you think an engine replacement should cost today?

 

You guys are FAST.

All kidding aside, you and a friend could EASILY do the entire job in a weekend, taking your time, BS'ing, etc.

I'd pull the trans with the motor....reinstall the same way. It's quicker and easier. Chuck

 

i'd agree with the times listed previously.

last Nov 1st was pretty much the first time I ever put a wrench to a car and I started taking the engine compartment in my '65 apart. After 3 hours or so I was only 4 motor mount bolts and 6 bellhousing bolts away from actually pulling the block if I had wanted to (I wasn't pulling the motor) and I had never worked on a cer before ever. I figure I could have had the motor out in another half hour.
Later last winter I started working on my '78 and had the motor out of it and on the engine stand in 3-4 hours and that was a LOT more work with all the extra stuff the later C3's have like all the vacuum lines, emissions equipment, etc and having to take the time to label each and every one of the vacuum hoses and other stuff as I was disconnecting or removing them. This was the first time I ever pulled a motor out so I'm sure it would go faster now.
Your C1 is a much simpler car without all the emissions equipment and vacuum lines to deal with first and if you have ever done it before unlike me I'd say if you worked smart and efficiently you could pull the one motor and drop in the second one in 4-6 hours.

Chuck's suggestion is a good one though. Take your time and spread it out over a weekend instead of trying to rush it. Things will go smoother if you aren't rushing just to get it all done as fast as you can.
If you pull the motor from the side just be real careful over the fenders......... As we were reinstalling the motor back into the '78 we weren't paying enough attention and the bottom of the oil pan just barely scrapped over the fender as we didn't have it raised up quite enough and scratched the paint on the top of the fender/hood surround a bit. Luckily it was no big deal since the car was going into the paintshop for a complete new paintjob anyway but if you aren't planning on new paint than it would be an upsetting thing to have happen.

 

All BS aside, Chuck is right. Take you time and do it right, make sure everything clears and fits were it should go. Make sure that you have help incase something goes wrong and you need another person there to help get you out of trouble. You will want to chit chat along the way, make sure that when installing the new engine that everything is in the right place and it is always good to double check your self a couple of times. It is easyer and faster to double check 2 or 3 times then have to pull the new engine out and redo it again. When you are finished then you can have a couple of Makers Mark and set back and say I did a good job.

 

In 1967 the Motor's Flat Rate Manual allowed 7.8 hours (total charge $54.60 ) to remove and replace your engine, not including transfer of any part of the engine or replacement of special equipment.

So if you drove your car into the dealerships I worked for back then, I would have gotten $27.30 to do the job.

 

Wow...how things have changed. You can't have anything done at the dealership now for that price. BTW, how well did you typically do against the flat rate manual estimate of time???

Dave

 

trw58c1:
If you get in a bind, let me know as I live in Ephrata and could possibly give you a hand.

 

On an oil change (18 minutes includes car into bay, up, down, back to lot) break even.

Insurance jobs on burned wiring, brakes, carbs, clutches, mechanical items - I'd make it in two third sto three quarters of the alloted time.

You could pay the rent, and own a cheap/demo new car, but you wouldn't retire early. I don't suppose it's changed much.

 

When I was last in that business a dozen plus years ago it hadn't changed at all. Certain things were gravy, others were a break even proposition.

The wages haven't kept up too well either IMHO. If my son decides to forgo college for a trade, I will steer him towards plumbing or another higher paid trade.

 

Ephrata.... - Is the little wood church with the skinny doors still there? I always remember that one - doors specifically constructed to keep over indulging members from getting into God's house. German origins I believe.

 

You're talking about the Ephrata Cloister? Yes, it's still there and restored and run by the state. My great-grandfather was the caretaker and was responsible for getting the state to take it over back in the 50's. They were very humble people.

 

ONce you get that old engine out, your not gonna be happy with the condition of your engine compartment...............Here we go......... about 2-3 months of weekends youll have it back together LOL