Pulling Engine Only?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 6
From: Long Island NY
Pulling Engine Only?
I normally pull engine & tranny together. I have never pulled a vette engine. I have a '78 350 4spd. I'll assume I can leave the tranny, linkage, & tranny mount alone. Do I have to remove the engine mount from the block side to pull forward, or I can raise the engine enough to clear the frame mount? I'm planning on leaving the bell housing on the tranny. I will remove the hood & maybe the radiator & support to inspect & clean.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: AL
It's not a hard job. On my 71, I dropped the trans first (4-speed but auto frame car so I can take off the trans crossmember). I also took out the radiator and support, but you should be able to get just the enigne out if you take off the fan. Don't forget about the Z bar on the driver's side that the clutch linkage attaches to.
One other thing I learned. I had my engine out for several months, and the radiator support was out that long as well. When I put the support back in, I found that the front end had sagged about a quarter inch. I finally got it back in. I let the car sit with the weight of the engine to help push the nose up and a little but of prying and swearing finished the job. Just fyi.
One other thing I learned. I had my engine out for several months, and the radiator support was out that long as well. When I put the support back in, I found that the front end had sagged about a quarter inch. I finally got it back in. I let the car sit with the weight of the engine to help push the nose up and a little but of prying and swearing finished the job. Just fyi.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 241
From: Morgan City Louisiana
I have done this before with no problems. Take all the bell housing bolts out. Remove the long motor mount bolts. Raise the engine until the mounts clear. Put a jack with wood block under the tranny to support it.
Pull forward on the engine until it comes loose and then raise it up and out
Pull forward on the engine until it comes loose and then raise it up and out
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 6
From: Long Island NY
Thanks, that's what I was hoping for. I want to make this as painless as possible and I decided to leave the tranny in... The Radiator Support issue I heard of before, but I forgot about. Good Point...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
I have always pulled engine seperate from trans.
easier for me, less weight, more direct.
Tipping and tilting motor and trans together, moving car
around, never appealed to me
easier for me, less weight, more direct.
Tipping and tilting motor and trans together, moving car
around, never appealed to me
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,443
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm pulling my motor and then the tranny in the morning. I never had good luck stabing the motor to the tranny. So it was always easier installing the motor and then attaching the tranny to it.
i have never removed the hood. Just adding more work.
i have never removed the hood. Just adding more work.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis
You don't have to remove the radiator or support. Just remove the hood, support the trans. and bring a cherry picker in from the side, or overhead lift from the top.
There are only four bolts holding the hood on, so it's a snap. Recommend doing an outline of the hinge on the hood first, to make re-aligment alot easier.
There are only four bolts holding the hood on, so it's a snap. Recommend doing an outline of the hinge on the hood first, to make re-aligment alot easier.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have done it many times like this. Never pulled the hood either.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
I had a tranny bellhousing bolt strip this time,so I had to pull the hood to get both out together. Normally the hood stays on,comes out over the side start to out on the stand in less than four hours working alone.
Unless I have to stop and run out for more beer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
I have done this before with no problems. Take all the bell housing bolts out. Remove the long motor mount bolts. Raise the engine until the mounts clear. Put a jack with wood block under the tranny to support it.
Pull forward on the engine until it comes loose and then raise it up and out
Pull forward on the engine until it comes loose and then raise it up and out
A load leveller makes it easier.