So ive started to take apart my motor to do the top end. My parts are on their way so im hoping to complete this in the next few weeks. But now that Ive started taking it apart it seems I should just pull the motor out. Is it easier to pull the motor out to swap cam, heads, timing chain, and intake/carb? Or is it better leaving it in?

 

I did the top end on my l-48 while in the car. You have to remove the radiator and shroud to take the cam out, but it wasn't that tough. remember to change the oil before the intial start up after you get it back together.

 

Depends on what type of equipment you have availible. I have an engine picker and stand, so usually just pull it. Good time to clean up/paint the engine compartment and engine. Heck of a lot easier working on the engine this way too. If buying an engine picker, careful getting a cheapo short boom job, as may be of no use to you at all.

 

With proper equipment, the engine comes out of the car in less than an hour, so there's no reason to not put it on an engine stand and do the work on comfort. This will also allow you to flip it upside-down, put a new pan gasket on it, and check the condition of the bearings while you're at it. With the engine on a stand, you can also get the cam degreed properly, and you can do a darned nice cleanup of the engine compartment.

Lars

 

Agree with Vette5.5 AND Lars regarding equipment availability. I'm getting too old for all the contortions needed for leaning over and leveraging on heavy gear. I like to work standing up and the work is at gut level and this is my primary hobby; all at home.

I yank the motor and trans as a combo because I have the equipment: cherry picker, chains, engine levels, static engine, rotating engine, and jack, stands. Tables, carts and benches. Also an engine test stand. All of that in association with a high capacity air compressor, various floor jacks, hydraulic press, sand blaster, fluorescent lighting, and various assortment of hand tools.

The car has the dreaded fixed trans crossmember, too. While I contemplate what sort of removable x-member configuration to employ while the body is mounted, I'm getting better at setting up the car to pull the package out.

I have the luxury of a secured shop, independent of sharing space. Not that sharing can't be done but I'm picky about packaging the same components together on reassembly. I don't worry about parts walking away or otherwise, being disturbed from their assigned space in the days, weeks, months or longer before reassembly.

In my case, I have enough real estate to disassemble, categorize, and reassemble. All of this behind closed doors and an environment to support cleaning greasy parts and pieces without the wife, GF, or significant other commenting why there's greasy footprints on the floor or gasoline fumes stinking up the house.

The ease with which to conduct any maintenance saves scratched up fenders, constant leaning over said fenders, and ease of access to the surrounding components in the now-empty engine bay.

For me, just a lot easier but not everyone has these assets. I've done enough kitchen table rebuilds, contracting or renting carpet cleaning gear, leaving stuff out in the weather, and visits to the chiropractor. I wanted better and I developed something that works, the next time I had to schedule a rebuild.

Other than checking fluids or oogling somebody else's engine, I do not like leaning over protected fenders.

 

Thanks guys, you have confirmed my idea of pulling it. I have all the tools to pull an engine. My father used to stock car race and I have inherited all of his tools since he has no use for them on a regular basis.

 

Go slow and don't scratch the car lol! You'll have a better chance to seal the engine up better . Oil leaks suck!

 

i agree with the others. If you have to tools than by all means pull the motor. MUCH, MUCH easier and more comfortable to work on it that way plus the advantage of being able to get the engine bay cleaned up a bunch while the motor is out

 

If the top end rebuild is to add power....and you are thinking of changing out the torque converter....motor out will be alot easier.

 

Did a top end rebuild like you except I dropped the oil pan to do a rear main seal.It would have been a lot easier with the engine out for sure.I didn't have the resources to pull the engine.You might as well stroke that baby while you got it out.

 

Just to show you how bright I am. Installed a couple tranny shift kits, with the unit sitting upside down on a some boxes. Practically tripped over an engine stand getting to them. Thought never occurred to me, until seeing some tranny work being done on weekend Power Block TV. Duh.

 

This always turns into a huge debate; for some folks the act of pulling an engine seems to be a "major deal"...but realistically anybody can do it with a couple of hours work. Not only is it easier, but as Lars noted it's a good chance to do some general work and cleanup as well.

 

Everything is easy to do with it in the car except for putting the timing cover back on. It can be done by loosening up the oil pan bolts, but also a good source of a future oil leak. Easier to pull out the engine to do that. Good luck!