Pulling engine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 266
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From: Wellsboro PA
Pulling engine
Has anyone ever pulled a small block from a C2 without removing the radiator and fan shroud. It looks to me like it can be done. If I leave the transmission and the bell housing in the car. Of course I would remove the fan, pulleys, fuel pump. dizzy, and alternator. The last time I pulled the engine, it was with the transmission.
This is an L79 without: air, power steering, or power brakes.
This is an L79 without: air, power steering, or power brakes.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Washington Michigan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
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Dude, don't do it. Pulling a motor is a big job, don't minimize the nature of the job by saving 20 minutes from pulling a radiator and shroud. Shroud and raidator out, hood off, and you're smooth sailing. Do the job once, do it right, and don't need to do it again. Remember, beers are for AFTER the motor is on the cradle. LOL...Good luck. I did it with my BB 69 Camaro.. Was fun, and the beers somehow taste colder when you can lean on the engine you just pulled out while drinking them. ARA
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
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From: Greenville, Indiana
Considering the time wasted by having to put accessories back on the engine after it's decked, just so you can leave the radiator in place, I don't think it's wise to leave the shroud and radiator in place.
I wouldn't think about leaving the radiator and shroud in place if I was replacing a midyear engine.
Here's a current thread for reference:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ll-in-car.html
I wouldn't think about leaving the radiator and shroud in place if I was replacing a midyear engine.
Here's a current thread for reference:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ll-in-car.html
Last edited by MikeM; May 11, 2015 at 05:28 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 62
From: Redondo Beach CA
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I have pulled the engine (leaving the bell housing and transmission in the car) without removing the radiator. I didn't know it was a big deal and just did it. My car has an electric fan, so that might also make a different in ease of extraction.
All that said, it only takes a few minutes to pull the radiator and it gives you a few more inches and saves you from an expensive "oops!"
All that said, it only takes a few minutes to pull the radiator and it gives you a few more inches and saves you from an expensive "oops!"
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,296
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From: NorCal
Well, if you're gonna try it, I'd strongly recommend pulling the distributor so it doesn't hit the firewall when you tip the engine front end upwards to gain enough clearance.
Don't ask me how I know.............
Don't ask me how I know.............
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 212
From: Iowa
Sure it can be done...BUT, not worth the hassle. Or it just depends on what you are in the mood to try work around.
Easier (and cheaper) to take the shroud and rad out...the radiator is only held in by the upper bracket once the hoses are off...two bolts and it can be lifted out.
I got rid of my shroud all together...added a dewitts rad w/ elec fan
Frank
Easier (and cheaper) to take the shroud and rad out...the radiator is only held in by the upper bracket once the hoses are off...two bolts and it can be lifted out.
I got rid of my shroud all together...added a dewitts rad w/ elec fan
Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
If you take the motor mounts off, you don't have to tip the engine. Just slide the engine straight forward. Easy peasy.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: NorCal
I did get it right the second time 15 years ago in 2000!PS - I don't think he can slide the engine forward if the radiator and shroud are still in - which is what resulted in my tipping the engine that first time............
Last edited by tuxnharley; May 11, 2015 at 08:33 PM. Reason: typo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 413
From: Maine
Take John's advice
Hi, here are a few pictures of my install, I did it by myself. I also used guide pins in the bottom two holes of engine to help line up bell housing. Taking out radiator / water pump gives much more room. It was not hard to install. Had to do it two times because of other problems...
Notice guide pins in engine
Notice guide pins in engine
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Sure, now you tell me! Where were you 44 years ago in 1971 when I made that mistake..... I did get it right the second time 15 years ago in 2000!
PS - I don't think he can slide the engine forward if the radiator and shroud are still in - which is what resulted in my tipping the engine that first time............
I did get it right the second time 15 years ago in 2000!PS - I don't think he can slide the engine forward if the radiator and shroud are still in - which is what resulted in my tipping the engine that first time............
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 212
From: Iowa
MikeM's comment on motor mounts is the game changer...
I have fought motor mounts so many times.
I now wait until I get motor in the car, and then slip the motor mounts in place...this technique accounts for a 80-90% reduction in cussing
Frank
I have fought motor mounts so many times.
I now wait until I get motor in the car, and then slip the motor mounts in place...this technique accounts for a 80-90% reduction in cussing
Frank
Last edited by Crunch527; May 11, 2015 at 09:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Wellsboro PA
My original thought was to do pretty much what Jackfit has done, only leave the shroud and radiator. But, I sure don't want to risk damaging anything.
Four years ago I did it this way.
Attachment 47884752
I had a ticking noise on the passenger side. I'll post a picture tomorrow of the source.
Four years ago I did it this way.
Attachment 47884752
I had a ticking noise on the passenger side. I'll post a picture tomorrow of the source.
Last edited by Thomas66; Jun 14, 2018 at 10:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Wellsboro PA
Here is my problem. Plus: I have not been very happy with the Comp Cams Nostalgia L79+ cam. I intend on going back to the factory L79.
Attachment 47884803
Attachment 47884803
Last edited by Thomas66; Jun 14, 2018 at 10:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Wellsboro PA
Does anyone have any thoughts on this wear? I am thinking that it was a bad case of miss alighment of the roller tip 
. I am going to get a set of adjustable guides when it all goes back together.
. I am going to get a set of adjustable guides when it all goes back together.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Fresno California
In over 35 years working on cars professionally, I've learned that 'shortcuts' often become 'loncuts' due to unanticipated collateral damage and hardship. I've found that removing any and all items even remotely in the way assures a clean, neat, timely job with no damage repair needed at its completion. It took me about 30 years to learn this, but man, it's a huge life lesson! Turn on the radio, have a sip of soda or coffee, and take your time. That way, its fun and stays fun.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: northern CA
) .. . . It's all about having fun now. . .
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
You are pulling the motor to change a cam and valve?
1), if you are going to pull the motor, take the radiator out, sometimes it takes a little pulling to separate the motor from trans, or bell, and then the engine swings forward and takes out your radiator.
2) why not do the cam swap in the car,I haveve done that several of times, in an evening, it doesn't take hardly any longer to pull a head, or heads, vs fussing around under the car disconnecting and reconnecting the motor to the rest of the drivetrain.
The harmonic damper is more of a pain to R&R in the car, but less work than removing the motor.
Doug
1), if you are going to pull the motor, take the radiator out, sometimes it takes a little pulling to separate the motor from trans, or bell, and then the engine swings forward and takes out your radiator.
2) why not do the cam swap in the car,I haveve done that several of times, in an evening, it doesn't take hardly any longer to pull a head, or heads, vs fussing around under the car disconnecting and reconnecting the motor to the rest of the drivetrain.
The harmonic damper is more of a pain to R&R in the car, but less work than removing the motor.
Doug