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After replacing warped heads, and blown head gaskets, my 86 was pulling like a beast for the last few months. Then about a month ago, it's starts making this strange squeaking, grinding type of sound. Brought it to my friends shop, informs me i have a spun bearing, need a rebuild. I tore it down to the block last week, it's just about ready to come out. I still have to take out the bell housing bolts, and motor mounts. My question is this: Has anyone out there ever pulled the engine & trans at the same time? I've done it like that before, on a 68 chevelle, it was actually easier than removing bell housing bolts while still in vehicle. I was told by a few people that i would not be able to remove them both at the same time with the vette, "not enough room"
Is that the case? The bell housing bolts look like they are going to be VERY tough to remove while engine is still in car. I plan on doing this tomorrow morning, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Leave the trans behind, unless it's in need of repair. On my manual trans 86, I just unbolted the 4 bolts from trans to bell, and pulled the motor straight forward and out the side.
If you don't have to mess with the C beam, DON'T !!
Way easier to R&R the engine as an assembly vs tearing it down in the car. With a little practice it takes about 8 hours from start to "on the stand". Reverse for the install.
Thanks for the replies. I was able to remove the bolts from the top with an open end, and universal { wobble } ratchet adaptor. It was kinda tough, but i got them out. The sun just broke through the clouds, was raining all morning. I'm going out now to pull this thing.
Thanks again for the input. Nice pics by the way.
When i did the heads a few months back, it rained EVERY DAY. I park my van next to it, so i can put things away fast during downpours. I have to bring the engine to a garage when it's out, theres NO WAY i'll be able to do this outside.
Hey guys,
I pulled the engine and started shopping around for a short block. My question is about roller cams and lifters. I found a very reasonable price on ebay for a short block with a roller cam. It's actually $50 more for the non-roller version. I was wondering if it would be better to buy the roller version, and just buy a set of roller lifters. Would i have to do anything other than buy new lifters to convert to a roller engine? Or is it more involved than that?
Hey shumacher,
No thats not what i meant. My question was: If i buy this shortblock with the roller cam installed, do i need to do anything other than buy roller lifters to make it work? The stock engine, that was just pulled has a flat tappet cam, and lifters.
Hey guys,
I pulled the engine and started shopping around for a short block. My question is about roller cams and lifters. I found a very reasonable price on ebay for a short block with a roller cam. It's actually $50 more for the non-roller version. I was wondering if it would be better to buy the roller version, and just buy a set of roller lifters. Would i have to do anything other than buy new lifters to convert to a roller engine? Or is it more involved than that?
Thanks,
Mike
Buy the roller cam short block. You will need roller cam, roller lifters, retainer plates and a spider plate. Good news is GM performance parts sells an entire kit with lifters and the parts necessary to retain the lifters.