pulling the engine
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
pulling the engine
i got a 96 lt4 and i cannot get the engine out. i have removed the mounts, the balancer, the acc. bracket, the heads and about every other little thing on this damn thing. i got it about an inch away from the tranny and it won't move any father. any suggesttions. i tried using i a big pry bar with no luck. i have trried shaking the hell out of it. nothing seems to be in the way and i know all the bellhousing bolts are out cause the engine and bellhousing aren't touching the whole way around.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Well you have about 1/2 the motor gone but are you supporting the trany? you unbolted the bellhousing from the trany correct? If not start there. If you have then support the trany and it should come out no problems I have done it several times with no problems.
Here is a shot of the original motor coming out.
Here is a shot of the original motor coming out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Are you trying to pull the engine with the trans still in the car?
Someone correct me if they have different experience, but I can't see how that would be possible. You'd first have to slide the engine forward about 6 inches without changing the angle to the trans in order to get the input shaft out. Maybe I'm missing something, but I've always pulled the trans first.
When I pulled the engine on mine, I removed the AC compressor (to avoid having to drain the system), wiring, PS lines, Fuel rail, motor mount bolts, and transmission. heads, motor mounts, balancer, and the rest of the accessories stayed on. Engine came right out with no clearance problems.
Someone correct me if they have different experience, but I can't see how that would be possible. You'd first have to slide the engine forward about 6 inches without changing the angle to the trans in order to get the input shaft out. Maybe I'm missing something, but I've always pulled the trans first.
When I pulled the engine on mine, I removed the AC compressor (to avoid having to drain the system), wiring, PS lines, Fuel rail, motor mount bolts, and transmission. heads, motor mounts, balancer, and the rest of the accessories stayed on. Engine came right out with no clearance problems.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Unless you just like extra work leave the trany in place. As I stated before I have done this several times and there is no reason to pull the trany what so ever. Take a look at my photo that is how every motor I have pulled/Installed has been done it comes out w/o a problem and instalation is simple as well. If you unbolt the bell housing from the trany it will come out but if you try to unbolt the bell housing from the block it will not because the clutch and FW are bolted to the motor. I don't know why so many drop the trany but I am glad I listened to another forum member the first time it has saved me hours of work. 
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Originally Posted by pr0zac
what is the difference between pulling just the engine off without removing the bellhousing from the tranny or the engine and bellhousing off the tranny
The Shiftfork is connected to the TO bearing, clutch/Preasure plateand they are bolted to the motor. So you are atempting to pull the trany off with the shift fork still atached to the P/P. There is also an inspection plate to consider but anyway trust me just unbolt the trany from the bellhousing and it will come right out and you will see what i am talking about.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I would take everything off the back of the motor and then remove the motor.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Originally Posted by pr0zac
well i go t the inspection plate off. will take the bell housing off the tranny. thanks for the info
I hope the info helped, I dont think the inspection cover had to come off but it wont hurt anything. good luck and i hope it all slides out nice and easy.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
it still won't budge from where it is right now. i don't know what else too do. i hate this damn car. it has been a complete night mare from the start. anyone want to buy a vette.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Dont let it get you down, been there done that.
Did you get all five bolts out of the trany?
I sent you an e-mail give me a call and I am sure we can figure out what the hold up is.
Did you get all five bolts out of the trany?
I sent you an e-mail give me a call and I am sure we can figure out what the hold up is.
Last edited by FD2BLK; May 13, 2005 at 09:55 PM.