c3 engine lift
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
From: van buren arkansas
c3 engine lift
I have a 69 coupe , i was going to pull the engine but my engine hoist is not long enough to reach the carburetor engine lift plate. The front end of the car is to long to extend the lift boom. What lift do i need or what can you do to reach the plate?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I had to hit my engine from the PASSENGER SIDE. Remember that the engine is offset to the right a little over an inch.
I also had to move the chain on my hoist so it came out of the very front, not out of the slot in the bottom.
I ALSO had to flip around my hydraulic ram to put the jacking thingy on the inside.
All I have is a 1-ton HF widget, so it's a little undersized. Should have gotten the 2-ton...perhaps the boom would be a smidge longer.
I will have my welder by the time I pull my engine next time, so I'll be able to put a little 2 inch "nose extension" onto the boom, allowing me to keep the ram in its normal rotation and give me a little bit of wiggle room from the side of the car. Either that or I'll use the arms of my car lift. Haven't decided.
I also had to move the chain on my hoist so it came out of the very front, not out of the slot in the bottom.
I ALSO had to flip around my hydraulic ram to put the jacking thingy on the inside.
All I have is a 1-ton HF widget, so it's a little undersized. Should have gotten the 2-ton...perhaps the boom would be a smidge longer.
I will have my welder by the time I pull my engine next time, so I'll be able to put a little 2 inch "nose extension" onto the boom, allowing me to keep the ram in its normal rotation and give me a little bit of wiggle room from the side of the car. Either that or I'll use the arms of my car lift. Haven't decided.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
I had to hit my engine from the PASSENGER SIDE. Remember that the engine is offset to the right a little over an inch.
I also had to move the chain on my hoist so it came out of the very front, not out of the slot in the bottom.
I ALSO had to flip around my hydraulic ram to put the jacking thingy on the inside.
All I have is a 1-ton HF widget, so it's a little undersized. Should have gotten the 2-ton...perhaps the boom would be a smidge longer.
I will have my welder by the time I pull my engine next time, so I'll be able to put a little 2 inch "nose extension" onto the boom, allowing me to keep the ram in its normal rotation and give me a little bit of wiggle room from the side of the car. Either that or I'll use the arms of my car lift. Haven't decided.
I also had to move the chain on my hoist so it came out of the very front, not out of the slot in the bottom.
I ALSO had to flip around my hydraulic ram to put the jacking thingy on the inside.
All I have is a 1-ton HF widget, so it's a little undersized. Should have gotten the 2-ton...perhaps the boom would be a smidge longer.
I will have my welder by the time I pull my engine next time, so I'll be able to put a little 2 inch "nose extension" onto the boom, allowing me to keep the ram in its normal rotation and give me a little bit of wiggle room from the side of the car. Either that or I'll use the arms of my car lift. Haven't decided.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 281
From: Scottsdale Arizona
When I put the engine and transmission in my 68, I did it from the driver side and removed the wheel so the hoist could move in further. I used a 2 ton engine hoist from Harbor Freight and it worked great. With the load leveler and an extra pair of hands it went in easy and I didn't have any problems.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
I have a couple of big block heads strapped to the back bar in my Hazard Fraught cherry picker, sure helps keep the rear end on the ground, even when you try to jack the engine out with a motor mount bolt still in place 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
I've done this three times and each time I've gone out and in from the drivers side not that it makes much difference. And I've always pulled the engine and trans as a unit.
What I do is put the front on jack stands at the lowest setting to get the wheels out of the way. If need be you can remove the wheel on the side you are taking it out from to give a little more movement room. Go at it at a 45 degree angle (works best for me) and be sure to use a load leveler. Start lifting the engine with the load leveler "neutral" then pull the lift (more of a twisting action) towards the front of the car. Once you have it forward enough start jacking the load leveler so the trans goes down and the front of the engine goes up. You might want to have a helper around as you might have to get under the car and pull down on the tail shaft of the trans if your taking them out as a unit ( mines a 4-speed so it may be totally different with and automatic). Keep fiddling with it and next thing you know your engine is out. The next step it to have a beer or two.
The most nerve racking part for me is when the engine is hanging over the fender.
What I do is put the front on jack stands at the lowest setting to get the wheels out of the way. If need be you can remove the wheel on the side you are taking it out from to give a little more movement room. Go at it at a 45 degree angle (works best for me) and be sure to use a load leveler. Start lifting the engine with the load leveler "neutral" then pull the lift (more of a twisting action) towards the front of the car. Once you have it forward enough start jacking the load leveler so the trans goes down and the front of the engine goes up. You might want to have a helper around as you might have to get under the car and pull down on the tail shaft of the trans if your taking them out as a unit ( mines a 4-speed so it may be totally different with and automatic). Keep fiddling with it and next thing you know your engine is out. The next step it to have a beer or two.
The most nerve racking part for me is when the engine is hanging over the fender.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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I did driver's side with wheel removed
Just info. I would not have concrete surface available on the passenger side for the hoist -- so just FYI in case you need to do it from the driver's side.
Also, I removed mine serparated from the tranny.
No real problems. Also had hood removed and radiator removed.
Also, I removed mine serparated from the tranny.
No real problems. Also had hood removed and radiator removed.
Last edited by carriljc; Nov 2, 2016 at 12:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
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From: Texas City, TX Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Yes and the crank pulley. With the transmission in place there is just enough room to clear the radiator support and that's with pushing the transmission down a little to clear it while my helper jacked up the lift.
It's really not that hard. I had a harder time taking out my friends 4-banger in a Mazda small pickup......what a PITA that was.
After disconnect it was out in about 10 minutes.