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2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
Removing engine and trans
Getting ready to pull the 327 and Powerglide out of my 66. Would it be best to pull them out as one unit or pull the engine first and then the transmission?
I would vote for pulling them both as a unit. That way you don't have to worry about supporting the Powerglide while the engine is being taken out and you also don't have to wrestle the heavy Powerglide out from under the car by hand.
It kinda depends on a few other things.
Do you have a lift?
Are you using a cherry picker or an overhead crane?
What's your tolerance level for anxiety for dangling that much weight over a fiberglass fender?
Why are you removing either one or both?
Just some thoughts.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It's so easy to separate an automatic with just the housing and flex plate to unbolt I would do them separately. That way you can leave the rad in, and the water pump, etc on the motor for the straight up lift. All you need under the PG is a dolly with a block of wood on it at about the right height., then roll it forward and lift it out, or from under the car if the car is jacked up high enough.
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Last edited by Kerrmudgeon; Nov 22, 2020 at 02:56 AM.
When my son and I rebuilt the 327 and the PG in our '63, we yanked both together. It was so easy to do using a leveler I can't imagine doing the R&R any other way.
I've done it both ways with a small block and 4 speed and small block with a 5 speed and even with the bulkier 5 speed I found it to be much easier to do both together.
PS I've never used a leveler and never had an issue tilting the combo by hand as it gets raised. I've done it with a chain diagonally across the intake valley and a carb plate and it was definitely easier with a carb plate.
Last edited by 65air_coupe; Nov 22, 2020 at 11:56 AM.
i've done it both ways with a small block and 4 speed and small block with a 5 speed and even with the bulkier 5 speed i found it to be much easier to do both together.
It was definitely easier with a carb plate.
i wouldn't do this with an aluminum intake manifold.
Last edited by 2KREDVert; Nov 22, 2020 at 11:16 AM.
I am going to rebuild the 327 and change the PG to a 700r4. Yes I have a cherry picker and just wondering the best way to remove engine/tranny.
Ok, I am assuming no lift. Be aware that most standard cherry pickers do not reach far enough out to get the engine and/or trans out from the front on a C2. You have to go from the side with the wheel and tire off and jockey it around the jack stand. This is both awkward and cumbersome. I would recommend disconnecting the trans and engine (since it is an automatic this is easy) and then lifting out the engine. Then rig up a cradle chain on the trans and lift it out. (be sure to secure the torque convertor so it doesn't fall out).. If you are going back in with different units, put the trans in first, especially a 700R4 (because of size) from underneath and then the new engine in from the top. JMHO Good luck with what ever you decide.
Last edited by Vette5311; Nov 22, 2020 at 11:26 AM.
I have done it both ways. Pulled out the engine separately from the transmission and the transmission separately from the motor. In addition I have also pulled the engine and transmission all as one unit and installed both as one unit. My vote is for removal and installation all in one unit. I did mine on the garage floor with a standard engine lift and a leveler. I had attached a carb plate to the top of the aluminum intake manifold for emergency purposes but ended up not using it.
Vette5311 is correct and you do have to make sure that you have enough room behind the engine lift to push it back away from the car or toward the car depending on whether or not you are installing or removing. Another option would be to leave the engine lift where it is and slowly roll the car forward or backward into the correct position as needed. Or a combination of both as I did. Regardless, good luck with it. C.J.
I am going to rebuild the 327 and change the PG to a 700r4. Yes I have a cherry picker and just wondering the best way to remove engine/tranny.
I've put a 700R4 in my 67 coupe, I love the car even more. BUT, I did a removable crossmember. With the fixed crossmember it is near impossible to do anything to the transmission once it in place. If there is a leak at the cooler lines, dip stick, or TV cable you can't get to them. With the removable crossmember you just unbolt it, lower the trans and fix whatever and put it back. Easy. That being said I had to replace my body mounts which had collapsed over the years in order to get room to cut the crossmember. The 700R4 and removable crossmember are both great mods for a driver.
I've put a 700R4 in my 67 coupe, I love the car even more. BUT, I did a removable crossmember. With the fixed crossmember it is near impossible to do anything to the transmission once it in place. If there is a leak at the cooler lines, dip stick, or TV cable you can't get to them. With the removable crossmember you just unbolt it, lower the trans and fix whatever and put it back. Easy. That being said I had to replace my body mounts which had collapsed over the years in order to get room to cut the crossmember. The 700R4 and removable crossmember are both great mods for a driver.
Do you have any pictures of the removable crossmember?
Do you have any pictures of the removable crossmember?
For the life of me I can't get my pics from my phone to the laptop so no pics, but there is a lot of good info and pics on this forum on the subject. Some welding skills are needed, you just cut the crossmember at a slight angle (so it will drop out) and weld the flanges in place. Then you can bolt it up and unbolt it when needed, When I got my 700R4 in one of the coolant lines was leaking, and there was absolutely no way to get to it with the trany in place.
I've done it both ways with a small block and 4 speed and small block with a 5 speed and even with the bulkier 5 speed I found it to be much easier to do both together.
PS I've never used a leveler and never had an issue tilting the combo by hand as it gets raised. I've done it with a chain diagonally across the intake valley and a carb plate and it was definitely easier with a carb plate.
You were able to remove the engine, with 5-speed, together? Was it a Tremic? Just wondering, because if it was, I have been under the impression the Tremic would need to be separated. If not, that would be wonderful.
What is involved to install a removable cross member, and what is the source for the removable cross member? I've never done one------------------------------yet. But it seems GM should have done this to begin with. After all, they are removable on 53-62 Vettes and 59-later pass cars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Through the years there have been many posts and threads here on the Forum regarding putting a removable cross-member under a C2. Most have done it with the body off of the frame but some have done it on the frame. All that I have seen and read about are similar with some variations on the techniques. There is a gentleman (whose name escapes me at the moment) who makes a set of 4 flanges intended to be welded at each end of the section of the cut cross-member and to the remaining cut frame ends. Those flanges are precut exactly to fit and make the job a bit easier. I have saved a number of pictures of the variety of cross-members constructed by Forum members (as I one day hope to do this myself) and would be happy to send them to you via regular email. Just send me your email address via PM and I will send you any or all of my 26 saved pictures. C.J.
Removing engine and trans
