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[C2] Engine/gearbox removal??

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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:30 PM
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Default Engine/gearbox removal??

When removing the engine/gearbox, is it better to go from the front or the side with the cherry picker? Any additional tips/techniques would be appreciated. Obviously the hood and radiator will be removed.

Thanks,
Greg
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
When removing the engine/gearbox, is it better to go from the front or the side with the cherry picker? Any additional tips/techniques would be appreciated. Obviously the hood and radiator will be removed.

Thanks,
Greg
I have no personal experience with a C2, but with my C3 and every other car I have ever pulled an engine on (except for my '72 Opel GT, which you had to take the engine out from the bottom, i.e. lift the car off the engine....) I attached the engine crane from the front. Also, I have never tried to remove the engine and gearbox at the same time. Now, I am very interested to know if the C2 is any different. Why are you removing the engine/gearbox as a single unit?
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
When removing the engine/gearbox, is it better to go from the front or the side with the cherry picker? Any additional tips/techniques would be appreciated. Obviously the hood and radiator will be removed.

Thanks,
Greg
I'm no expert, but I do it from the front. With the hood, fan shroud, radiator and fan removed, and distributor. It's seems easier for me to lift the engine/trans assembly to clear the core support then pull away from the car from the front.

Don
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:40 PM
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From the front, as you can pull back and up and out. You need long enough reach on the crane, though. I ended up taking the bumperettes off of my '61 to get the last 6 or 8 inches. And you will need a levelling bar. I put my car up on ramps to let the engine and trans tilt to clear the tunnel. It was a cinch.
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:43 PM
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ok, thanks. Thats all in line with what I assumed, for some reason I thought I remembered someone recently doing it by going in from the side.
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:44 PM
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I’ve removed them both ways side or front, it depended on how much room I had within the space I was working in, no real preference,
your swinging the engine over fiberglass one way or the other.
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
When removing the engine/gearbox, is it better to go from the front or the side with the cherry picker? Any additional tips/techniques would be appreciated. Obviously the hood and radiator will be removed.

Thanks,
Greg

I guess that really depends if you have room limitations. If you can do it from the front it is easier to move the cherry picker straight back. It is always best if you have help doing this as often there are things that want to get hung up at the firewall when removing the engine and trans together. Also you need more ceiling height doing it this way. An engine leveling device attached between the cherry picker and the engine helps so you can level things out as you get clearance frame coming out of the engine compartment. There is likely a You Tube video that shows this if you don’t understand what I am trying to convey here.
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:47 PM
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Understood. I was thinking it might also help to have the car up on the quick jack so that I have the option of lowering the car in addition to raising the engine to get it clear
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
Understood. I was thinking it might also help to have the car up on the quick jack so that I have the option of lowering the car in addition to raising the engine to get it clear
the nice thing about the quick jack is your lifting level front and back, yes having the ability to drop it as you need to is a huge plus. Working off of ramps or jack stands are not nearly as accommodating as the quick jack. An engine leveler is a must if your pulling both the trans and the engine as a unit.
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 06:44 PM
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Like others, I went from the front. Definitely get a leveling bar, makes a huge difference
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 07:45 PM
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The second time I removed mine I left the engine mounts on the frame. But I also left the bell and trans. I also removed the fuel pump but can't remember why. Reassembly was a breeze because I could put the engine in flat and with a stud on the engine the trans shaft went right in. There are a few things to consenter Ice cool beer and some helpful buddy's

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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 07:49 PM
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I went from the side. I watched a YouTube on a C3 where he went from the side. Took the front wheel off and jacked up the driver side as close to the front as I could and still get the cherry picker out.






Last edited by elwood13; Oct 11, 2021 at 07:58 PM.
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 08:21 PM
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Greg,
I removed mine from the front as well, and had the hood and radiator out as you mention. I never messed with the radiator support and didn’t raise/lower the car. Easy because I had two helpers and I removed the tranny first (not required but I figured WTH).

Just realized I forgot to update my signature with all the vehicles I’ve ever owned, so I hope you believe me…


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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by USMC 0802
Greg,
I removed mine from the front as well, and had the hood and radiator out as you mention. I never messed with the radiator support and didn’t raise/lower the car. Easy because I had two helpers and I removed the tranny first (not required but I figured WTH).

Just realized I forgot to update my signature with all the vehicles I’ve ever owned, so I hope you believe me…


Jesus man.....bourbon out the nose stings

Did you already have a removable cross member, or did you wrestle the trans out first even without it?

Last edited by FLYNAVY30; Oct 11, 2021 at 08:32 PM.
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 08:33 PM
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I cheated....Drop the body on the motor and tranny...

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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by FLYNAVY30
Jesus man.....bourbon out the nose stings

Did you already have a removable cross member, or did you wrestle the trans out first even without it?
No removable cross member, Greg. We got it out pretty easily.

Sorry about the stinging nostrils!
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 08:40 PM
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Thanks.....Ill see how it goes. Still need to order a cherry picker and a leveler
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 09:30 PM
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Default Another method...


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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 11:35 PM
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No removable cross member, Greg. We got it out pretty easily.
Get-en mine cut and bracketed up this Wednesday at the "Corvette Shop" in Montgomery NY. ...http://www.thcorvetteshop.com/

They did Joe Cavilino's Totaled C-2....(Paulywanafly)
I an't pullen the 502 and the 5 spd out the front. Don't even know if it will come out?​​​​​​​
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Old Oct 11, 2021 | 11:39 PM
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I went in from the side because I had space limitations in my garage.
I have done that other times on my 69 as well because my engine hoist didn't have the reach to go over the nose.




As an alternative to chains and screw levelers, I have for years used this thing seen above called an Oberg Tilt Lift Engine Sling
All my friends now borrow the thing to pull engines with
Highly recommended
https://obergtiltlift.com/

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