silly question about pulling the engine
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
silly question about pulling the engine
I have a tiny garage. This project started out as just replacing the heads and cam. It now has become a complete rebuild project! I have the car parked head-in in the tiny garage and the engine is stripped down to the block. When I pull the engine the Haynes manual says to support the tranny with a jack.
My original plan was to lift the engine out, back the car out of the way, roll the engine out to the driveway, and push the car back into the garage.
But if the transmission has to be supported when it's not attached that plan doesn't seem possible.
The problem is that the garage is too narrow to wheel the engine around the car. If I park the car backwards in the garage the engine hoist will have it's back wheels in the driveway, and the driveway is a little sloped.
Any ideas for how to best tackle this project?
Thanks,
~Jay
My original plan was to lift the engine out, back the car out of the way, roll the engine out to the driveway, and push the car back into the garage.
But if the transmission has to be supported when it's not attached that plan doesn't seem possible.
The problem is that the garage is too narrow to wheel the engine around the car. If I park the car backwards in the garage the engine hoist will have it's back wheels in the driveway, and the driveway is a little sloped.
Any ideas for how to best tackle this project?
Thanks,
~Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: silly question about pulling the engine (Jay M)
The tranny does have to be supported. One possibility, but not a likely one, is supporting the tranny with a floor jack (it has wheels). This is what I used. But I did not try to move the car with the tranny supported by the floor jack.
You could remove the tranny as well. It's not that hard.
Another idea: You could create a wheeled dolly that would support the tranny, but also provide for maneuverability. I don't think it would be that hard, and it should work better than the floor jack. I would make sure the dolly is designed in such a way that it cradles the tranny, so that it won't slip from underneath.
Reading your post, the question I have, is how do you intend to lift the engine, with the manifold removed? I found using a lifting plate, bolted to the manifold, provided for a nice amount of leverage.
Good luck with it.
:cheers:
You could remove the tranny as well. It's not that hard.
Another idea: You could create a wheeled dolly that would support the tranny, but also provide for maneuverability. I don't think it would be that hard, and it should work better than the floor jack. I would make sure the dolly is designed in such a way that it cradles the tranny, so that it won't slip from underneath.
Reading your post, the question I have, is how do you intend to lift the engine, with the manifold removed? I found using a lifting plate, bolted to the manifold, provided for a nice amount of leverage.
Good luck with it.
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Re: silly question about pulling the engine (joeveto)
Since it is just the block it will be very small, and weigh much less. I plan on using bolts at opposite ends of the block where the head bolts go.
It sounds like I should just turn the car around in the garage to get the engine out. The sloped driveway will be easier to deal with than a tranny dolly I think.
~Jay
It sounds like I should just turn the car around in the garage to get the engine out. The sloped driveway will be easier to deal with than a tranny dolly I think.
~Jay
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 193
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From: Ballston Spa NY
Re: silly question about pulling the engine (Jay M)
Jay,
Several years ago I was in almost the same situation. What I did was support the transmission with a jack until I had the engine out. I did leave the bellhousing attached to the transmission. Once the engine was lifted clear I laid a 2x4 across the top of the frame right at the base of the firewall. I then ran a couple of long bolts through mounting holes in the bellhousing that lined up with the 2x4. Last I removed the the jack from under the transmission.
This does an excellent job of supporting the transmission so that you can move the car. I have also seen this done with a piece of pipe laid across the frame.
John
Several years ago I was in almost the same situation. What I did was support the transmission with a jack until I had the engine out. I did leave the bellhousing attached to the transmission. Once the engine was lifted clear I laid a 2x4 across the top of the frame right at the base of the firewall. I then ran a couple of long bolts through mounting holes in the bellhousing that lined up with the 2x4. Last I removed the the jack from under the transmission.
This does an excellent job of supporting the transmission so that you can move the car. I have also seen this done with a piece of pipe laid across the frame.
John
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 547
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From: New York Flemington
Re: silly question about pulling the engine (69bblock3x2)
um...why not back the car out and pull it while in the driveway? Then remove the tranny (very easy at that point) and you'll have a rolling chassis. That's how I removed my engine 2 weekends ago.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 971
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From: Rockwood TN
Re: silly question about pulling the engine (69bblock3x2)
:iagree: Just make sure you secure the 2x4 to the frame so it won't move and it should work fine the transmision is not that heavy. You could even screw a piece of plywood to the 2x4, and drill holes to match the bell housing and run through bolts through it. that should hold it.
