I pulled the motor. Helpers 
Pulling the L98 Outta There
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 157
Likes: 2
From: Fayetteville Ga
Pulling the L98 Outta There
Does the hood need to be removed in order to pull the motor on an 86 L98? Haynes manual doesn't think so, but I'd like to hear from us that have actually done it. Is hood removal relatively simple, or an absolute last-resort bear of a job?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Don't pull the hood. Can't remember if the '86 has the pneumatic strut or the scissor hood prop but in either case removing the prop mechanism will allow you to open the hood further.
I say don't remove the hood as it can take a *lot* of time and patience to get it lined up perfectly again.
Brian
VTvette
I say don't remove the hood as it can take a *lot* of time and patience to get it lined up perfectly again.
Brian
VTvette
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 2
From: Howard Beach, NY
Originally Posted by Flyingboy
Does the hood need to be removed in order to pull the motor on an 86 L98? Haynes manual doesn't think so, but I'd like to hear from us that have actually done it. Is hood removal relatively simple, or an absolute last-resort bear of a job?
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Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Take the wiper motor off and also put some thick carboard across the windshield covered with a thick blanket.Thats just a precaution...pulling the engine out takes it close to the firewall and the windshield so just wanted to pass that along for someone doing it there first time.
Especially when pulling the engine out from the side with the hood on.
Its really not a problem at all this way and Ive done it twice before.
It is pretty easy once you get it going.Then you see more what to do.not to do next etc.
Enjoy your pull and take pics and label everything.That helps when reinstalling stuff that you may forget where it goes.
Especially when pulling the engine out from the side with the hood on.
Its really not a problem at all this way and Ive done it twice before.
It is pretty easy once you get it going.Then you see more what to do.not to do next etc.
Enjoy your pull and take pics and label everything.That helps when reinstalling stuff that you may forget where it goes.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
I pulled the hood for my swap and found it fairly easy to do (with someone else helping of course). I etched out lines where all of the mounting brackets lined up, including the headlights, and made sure that the shims stayed in their original location. In my case, it made it easier to get the engine in and out, install the cold air induction, new radiator, etc mostly because I wasn't bumping into it all the time
Fortunately for me, it lined up very well upon re-installation. These hoods can be a pain in the @ss to re-align if you don't mark everything out carefully, though.
Good luck with the job!
Fortunately for me, it lined up very well upon re-installation. These hoods can be a pain in the @ss to re-align if you don't mark everything out carefully, though.
Good luck with the job!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: The land of 10,000 lakes ,Minnesota 89 coupe 6speed with 383 and 89 roadster 6speed bonestock with XXX low miles
Pulled my engine last fall I left the hood on!
I just bolted the headers on for the picture they do not fit while putting engine in or out of the car!
Unbolt tranny and bellhousing (remove distibutor) it allows you to get the top bolts out easier so the motor can tip back some
Then the motor comes out almost straight up!
I just bolted the headers on for the picture they do not fit while putting engine in or out of the car!
Unbolt tranny and bellhousing (remove distibutor) it allows you to get the top bolts out easier so the motor can tip back some
Then the motor comes out almost straight up!
Last edited by 89sleeper; Nov 17, 2005 at 09:45 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
You make it sound so easy, sleazy. Although getting it out is much easier than getting it back in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
I've done both versions. Definitely do not take the hood off!
You don't need the extra hassle, re-align headaches, knicks to the hood.
I don't know 'bout you guys, but I get a kick out of seeing all my corvette brothers showing pics of their engine pulls. It's kinda like a club. 
You don't need the extra hassle, re-align headaches, knicks to the hood.
I don't know 'bout you guys, but I get a kick out of seeing all my corvette brothers showing pics of their engine pulls. It's kinda like a club.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 567
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
You make it sound so easy, sleazy. Although getting it out is much easier than getting it back in.
