engine pulling advice
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 5
From: Wheaton IL
My lesson was that if you are using a picker and pulling the engine and trans at the same time the radiator has to come out.
Also, if you are using a picker, the engine will move towards the front of the car as it lifts -- oh yeah - if you remove the exhaust manifolds it will make it much easier - I left mine on and scratched up the frame (lucky I didn't break a stud).
Also, if pullig the trans engine and trans, drain the oil and get ready for leakage ... or plug the tailshft. I had a big black puddle on my garage floor.
brian
Also, if you are using a picker, the engine will move towards the front of the car as it lifts -- oh yeah - if you remove the exhaust manifolds it will make it much easier - I left mine on and scratched up the frame (lucky I didn't break a stud).
Also, if pullig the trans engine and trans, drain the oil and get ready for leakage ... or plug the tailshft. I had a big black puddle on my garage floor.
brian
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Kanata Ontario
Pull as much off and out of the way as you can, removing the rad is pretty much necessary. Also, make sure the radio shielding around the motormounts is clear (I missed one bolt on mine and trashed one side).
Bruce
Bruce
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
All good advise.. Definately heed.. Remove as much as necessary ie manifolds,water pump, all shielding, dist, fuel pump, shoot I even pulled my intake and heads just b/c. As Dennis mentioned it's a hoss but it can be done by yourself.. Or at least I did... Oh you ask and I can't resist.. All that motor hanging over the front end will make you real nervous.. I know it did for me.. Going back in is worse.. Everything is new and shiny....... Dave..
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
get an engine leveller. Also get the largest engine puller you can get. I tried pulling an engine without a leveller and I was playing hockey in the engine compartment with the engine being the puck. I also had an old engine puller. When I noticed one of the wheels on the puller was 2 inches off the ground, with my engine 6 ft up, hanging over my 58 with a new paint job, I decided then that bigger is better. No need to take chances, and so I got a BIG engine puller with 4 wheels, not 3. No stress and much easier.
Last edited by whall; Oct 20, 2004 at 08:00 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,613
Likes: 3,635
From: Central Arkansas
I second Allcoupedup's comments on being prepared for the engine to swing forward. It's especially pronounced if your lift is a little short when reaching in from the front. Also cinch your chains down fairly short to the block. You may get surprised by how high that lift has to go to get the engine to clear over the radiator support, especially if you have the suspension out and the front on stands, or you are in a low ceiling garage. Matter of fact, removing the radiator support first is not a bad idea if you are tearing the car all the way down. I once left too much chain length on mine with the front on stands and ended up having to drop the front of the car off the stands and nearly to the floor to swing the motor over the front. It got a little shaky. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Oh yep the radiator support great time to look at the bottom of it.. I knew I was changing mine out when I did it but I couldn't see the real damage until it was out... And to all those putting a Tremec back in with your new motor you will appreciate that extra little bit with the rad support out of the way... Dave..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 6
From: Arizona
Balancer, leveler or what ever!
Can't stress enough about using a balancer or leveler. You can angle or position that engine/trans where ever you need to to clear anything, without banging it into stuff!
With a balancer I got my time down to pulling SB's in one hour!
With a balancer I got my time down to pulling SB's in one hour!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
I am with the leveler and having a friend help. There is a lot of weight swinging around. Once the motor/tranny is clear, I usually push the car back and lower the motor onto a stand. Figured the car is a heck of a lot more stable than an engine/tran combo swinging around on a cherry picker. Even a cheap engine stand can have its moments when rolling on a driveway with a some cracks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,536
Likes: 280
From: Egg Harbor Township NJ
2015 C2 of Year
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10, '14-'15
Originally Posted by Allcoupedup
I don't see how it can be done (with the trans attached) w/o a leveler.
Brian
p.s. - spend some $$ and get a good one - make sure it has 4 chains.
Brian
Brian
p.s. - spend some $$ and get a good one - make sure it has 4 chains.
Brian
My Cardio Rate when Up when I did the In And Out on mine the last time...!!!
This time when I do the 502 swap the body will be off.....Don't think I could stand watching that Hunk of Cast Iron Swinging over my Front End ..!!
It's like watching a guy jump on a running bike and miss the seat and land on the crossbar......!!! YEOOOOOOWWW...We all feel that...!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 6
From: Arizona
1st body off.
This is my 1st body off resto, and I gotta tell ya... I think (?) it's quicker and easier to pull the body than to pull the the eng/trans combo.
I was nervous as all get out, but when I total the hours and effort, I spent a lot less time crawling around on the floor. (I'll be 50 this year)
I mean when I have to do the clutch in the future
, I have to seriously think body off rather than trany wrestling.
I was nervous as all get out, but when I total the hours and effort, I spent a lot less time crawling around on the floor. (I'll be 50 this year)
I mean when I have to do the clutch in the future
, I have to seriously think body off rather than trany wrestling.