87 Engine Removal
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
87 Engine Removal
Help,
I am pulling the engine on an 87 with an automatic trans, it has a severe knock in the bottom end. Can I do it without pulling the trans? How do you get to the top trans bolts? What needs to be removed, ie. hood, rad support, etc. I have pulled many engines, however, this is my first Vette. Any support, pics, etc. would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
I am pulling the engine on an 87 with an automatic trans, it has a severe knock in the bottom end. Can I do it without pulling the trans? How do you get to the top trans bolts? What needs to be removed, ie. hood, rad support, etc. I have pulled many engines, however, this is my first Vette. Any support, pics, etc. would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga TN
yeah, you can leave the tranny in. access to the upper bellhousing bolts insnt as bad once the distributor and intake manifold come off, but a couple of them are still tight to get at.
naturally, youll need to support the tranny with a jack/jackstand, ect. and some wood to prevent damaging the pan.
DO NOT pull the hood.... not necessary. and for many hoists, its still a long reach over the front bumper.
bring the hoist in from the SIDE to pull the engine... just remove a wheel from either side, (i did mine from the passenger side) to get close enough with the hoist, and position any jackstands accordingly, to clear the hoist legs.
MUCH easier/better than pulling the hood... ive done it both ways... i`ll never pull the hood again....
i didnt even bother pulling the radiator, or fan asy. out either... they didnt get in the way.
naturally, youll need to support the tranny with a jack/jackstand, ect. and some wood to prevent damaging the pan.
DO NOT pull the hood.... not necessary. and for many hoists, its still a long reach over the front bumper.
bring the hoist in from the SIDE to pull the engine... just remove a wheel from either side, (i did mine from the passenger side) to get close enough with the hoist, and position any jackstands accordingly, to clear the hoist legs.
MUCH easier/better than pulling the hood... ive done it both ways... i`ll never pull the hood again....
i didnt even bother pulling the radiator, or fan asy. out either... they didnt get in the way.
Last edited by BigLee; Mar 29, 2007 at 01:10 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Castleton NY
I pulled the engine out of my 87...not that bad of a job. I did pull my hood and it was a pain to re-align. It still isn't perfect.
All of the bell housing bolts can be accessed from under the car. Just get yourself a gang of extensions and 1 universal and you can get to them with your ratchet at the back of the tranny....spares you the hassle of going in from the top. You will still need to pop off your distributor cap to get the engine out without damagint the cap.
A word of advice - if you are leaving the tranny in the car...support it with a jack stand or something else...or you will have to replace the broken C beam too!!!! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
All of the bell housing bolts can be accessed from under the car. Just get yourself a gang of extensions and 1 universal and you can get to them with your ratchet at the back of the tranny....spares you the hassle of going in from the top. You will still need to pop off your distributor cap to get the engine out without damagint the cap.
A word of advice - if you are leaving the tranny in the car...support it with a jack stand or something else...or you will have to replace the broken C beam too!!!! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
Pulled the hood on our 87' and like the guys said used a really long extension and swivel extension on the end. Did put jack stands all the way up so we had plenty of room under it (could almost sit up there). Myself and the 2 boys pulled the hood just be sure that before you take it off mark all the bolts washer with paint and the brackets were they mate to the body. This gave us even more room to work and let more light in. When we were ready to put it back on only took a few minutes and had it lined up first time (put a soft towel over the front nose so don't bark the paint)! We used a leveler on our cherry picker and came in from the side to pop the engine out. Putting it in was kinda a PIA just had to wiggle it a bunch and pry bar (keep you hands fingers out of the way). Also pull the wiper motor off (easy job) this will give you lots more room and you will not break it then when removal and install.. Good luck 
wro87
wro87
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Chattanooga TN
wro87, i agree with removing the wiper motor, it definetly helps.
but i see no practical benefit to pulling the hood.
one other thing to wach for: if you have limited ceiling space in your garage, make sure the top of the opened hood clears, as you jack the car up... a friend of mine knock a couple of holes into his sheetrock, where the pointed corners of the hood punched into it...
fortunately, he didnt damage his hood.
and yeah, long extensions definetly help with the tranny bolts.
but i see no practical benefit to pulling the hood.
one other thing to wach for: if you have limited ceiling space in your garage, make sure the top of the opened hood clears, as you jack the car up... a friend of mine knock a couple of holes into his sheetrock, where the pointed corners of the hood punched into it...
fortunately, he didnt damage his hood.
and yeah, long extensions definetly help with the tranny bolts.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Castleton NY
Good point wro87....I broke my wiper motor housing (plastic) when I pulled the engine. The engine swung a little and it hit the wiper motor. I had a parts car, so I was not concerned, but I would recommend taking it off to anyone pulling their motor.
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