Dropping engine through the bottom
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City TN
Dropping engine through the bottom
I basically have a short block in a 62 I am restoring. I don't have an engine hoist and hesitate to buy one for a one-time job. It looks to me like the easiest way to get the engine and bell-housing out of the car is through the bottom by removing the tie-rods and third-arm assemblies. It could be lowered onto a flat-steel furniture mover I have an rolled out. Has anyone done this before? Anything I am not seeing?
Also, about how much weight am I dealing with?
Thanks,
Doug
Also, about how much weight am I dealing with?
Thanks,
Doug
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 370
Likes: 22
From: Morrill NE
Interesting concept, lift the car, not the engine!!! Seriously, that is essentially what you are suggesting. Even if it were possible, which I have no idea if it is, you are going to have to lift the car almost 3 feet off the ground and support it ( 2 post lift??) while you lower the engine onto some sort of cart. How are you going to lower the engine? Seems like you will need a hoist, which gets us back to the original problem. Buy or rent a hoist and do it the right way. If you buy a hoist, you can always sell it. Another question, how do you propose to reinstall the engine? Good luck!
Cheers
Steve
Cheers
Steve
Last edited by sting ry; Apr 25, 2007 at 09:41 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 4
From: Texas
You could buy a "Come-a-long" from Walmart for about the same price
as a Hoist rental if you've got a big tree or steel barn beam to attach
it to..last one I got was $30.00 or so..... takes a little longer but that's
all I used as a pup.
as a Hoist rental if you've got a big tree or steel barn beam to attach
it to..last one I got was $30.00 or so..... takes a little longer but that's
all I used as a pup.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City TN
Interesting concept, lift the car, not the engine!!! Seriously, that is essentially what you are suggesting. Even if it were possible, which I have no idea if it is, you are going to have to lift the car almost 3 feet off the ground and support it ( 2 post lift??) while you lower the engine onto some sort of cart. How are you going to lower the engine? Seems like you will need a hoist, which gets us back to the original problem. Buy or rent a hoist and do it the right way. If you buy a hoist, you can always sell it. Another question, how do you propose to reinstall the engine? Good luck!
Cheers
Steve
Cheers
Steve
). Honestly, my garage has solid 2x6 rafters that could easily support the weight. I can use a chain hoist from work and as for the clearance, I almost have that now. Not also seems that the possibly of something really bad happening (like dropping the engine at a very inopportune time) would be minimized. Looks like the safe approach to me. However, I will likely yield and rent a hoist, invite a friend over and do it right.
Thanks,
Doug
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 4
From: Plano Texas
Doug, what you are suggesting is not too far fetched, believe it or not! When I was into late model Mustangs several years back, dropping the K-member (front suspension member) with the engine and tranny attached out the bottom was the easiest way to do it. With four burly friends who work on the cheap, you could lift the front end of the Stang and move it over the engine/tranny/K-member assembly.
When I was inspecting a Ford dealership in Little Rock Arkansas a year ago, I sam a Ford Expedition body that had been lifted off the chassis. I asked the service manager what they were doing that the body had to be removed, and he said they were changing out a head gasket. He said it was easier to get to the engine that way! He also said they put new grease on the body bushings before re-assembly and they always hear from the customer that the vehicle rides smoother. If they only knew!!!
Your theory is valid, it's just going to take some creativity to lower the engine/tranny without damaging the radiator, oil pan, etc. Keep in mind that the car will rise when you take the load off the motor mounts. IMHO, that's going to be the tricky part. Good luck.
When I was inspecting a Ford dealership in Little Rock Arkansas a year ago, I sam a Ford Expedition body that had been lifted off the chassis. I asked the service manager what they were doing that the body had to be removed, and he said they were changing out a head gasket. He said it was easier to get to the engine that way! He also said they put new grease on the body bushings before re-assembly and they always hear from the customer that the vehicle rides smoother. If they only knew!!!
Your theory is valid, it's just going to take some creativity to lower the engine/tranny without damaging the radiator, oil pan, etc. Keep in mind that the car will rise when you take the load off the motor mounts. IMHO, that's going to be the tricky part. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Doug, what you are suggesting is not too far fetched, believe it or not! When I was into late model Mustangs several years back, dropping the K-member (front suspension member) with the engine and tranny attached out the bottom was the easiest way to do it. With four burly friends who work on the cheap, you could lift the front end of the Stang and move it over the engine/tranny/K-member assembly.
When I was inspecting a Ford dealership in Little Rock Arkansas a year ago, I sam a Ford Expedition body that had been lifted off the chassis. I asked the service manager what they were doing that the body had to be removed, and he said they were changing out a head gasket. He said it was easier to get to the engine that way! He also said they put new grease on the body bushings before re-assembly and they always hear from the customer that the vehicle rides smoother. If they only knew!!!
Your theory is valid, it's just going to take some creativity to lower the engine/tranny without damaging the radiator, oil pan, etc. Keep in mind that the car will rise when you take the load off the motor mounts. IMHO, that's going to be the tricky part. Good luck.
When I was inspecting a Ford dealership in Little Rock Arkansas a year ago, I sam a Ford Expedition body that had been lifted off the chassis. I asked the service manager what they were doing that the body had to be removed, and he said they were changing out a head gasket. He said it was easier to get to the engine that way! He also said they put new grease on the body bushings before re-assembly and they always hear from the customer that the vehicle rides smoother. If they only knew!!!
Your theory is valid, it's just going to take some creativity to lower the engine/tranny without damaging the radiator, oil pan, etc. Keep in mind that the car will rise when you take the load off the motor mounts. IMHO, that's going to be the tricky part. Good luck.
On Jag XKEs it is one of the 2 ways prescribed in the manual, and is actually easier than trying to remove the engine/trans out the top. I also did it a 3rd way that was not in the book (pull the trans first), but after doing it, I saw why they said not to try it (REINSTALLING THE TRANS WAS NOT EASY!!!!!!).However, for Vettes the top removal would be my choice. I have never have done it any other way, and it just seems "natural".
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Apr 25, 2007 at 11:28 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 192
From: nj
yep did that
I took out my 61, 283 shortblock out from the bottom. Was winter and couldn't move it to the big garage with a lift. Couldn't wait for the snow to melt. If your inventive you can do it, no problem.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 370
Likes: 22
From: Morrill NE
Yeah, I know it sounds goofy, but I am an independent cuss who likes to figure out how to do a two-man job by myself (as my hernia surgeon will attest ). Honestly, my garage has solid 2x6 rafters that could easily support the weight. I can use a chain hoist from work and as for the clearance, I almost have that now. Not also seems that the possibly of something really bad happening (like dropping the engine at a very inopportune time) would be minimized. Looks like the safe approach to me.
However, I will likely yield and rent a hoist, invite a friend over and do it right.
Thanks,
Doug
). Honestly, my garage has solid 2x6 rafters that could easily support the weight. I can use a chain hoist from work and as for the clearance, I almost have that now. Not also seems that the possibly of something really bad happening (like dropping the engine at a very inopportune time) would be minimized. Looks like the safe approach to me. However, I will likely yield and rent a hoist, invite a friend over and do it right.
Thanks,
Doug
Cheers
Steve
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: tampa fl
ok - i have some expertise, if you want to call it that, in this area. i used to own a fiero - had it for 17 years. always wanted to rebuilt a car, so after 240k on the clock i pulled it apart. the motor is installed in the bottom of the car and the only way to get it out is to lift the car off the H-frame that houses the motor and tranny.
i had a buddy who had a tow truck come over and we pulled the rear struts and dropped the car on a pallet. we pulled the bolts and lifted the car.
ask yourself this question - what exactly are you going to tie to, to lift the car 3+ feet. i had strut tower mounts. not to mention, if you do find something it cant touch or bind on anything.
contrast that to pulling the motor and trans out of my 72 cutlass -
with having experience with both - there is not way i would EVER lift a car like that again..EVER.
good luck on what you decide but....... rent a hoist
i had a buddy who had a tow truck come over and we pulled the rear struts and dropped the car on a pallet. we pulled the bolts and lifted the car.
ask yourself this question - what exactly are you going to tie to, to lift the car 3+ feet. i had strut tower mounts. not to mention, if you do find something it cant touch or bind on anything.
contrast that to pulling the motor and trans out of my 72 cutlass -
with having experience with both - there is not way i would EVER lift a car like that again..EVER.
good luck on what you decide but....... rent a hoist
