Engine in or out?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
Engine in or out?
Got my new cam and 1.6 rr's today :D
Since I am also going to lift the heads to check the bores and do a little porting, will it be as easy or easier, to pull the complete motor?
Or is this just making extra work?
I have a four post lift, and a beam with a block and tackle, so apart from all the disconnecting hassle, pulling the engine is possible - if it is a good idea.
I did the job on my C3 by removing the radiator, but on the C4 we have that crossmember that looks as though it could be a PITA.
Any opinions welcome, I am sure lots have done this one.
Thanks for your consideration :cheers:
Since I am also going to lift the heads to check the bores and do a little porting, will it be as easy or easier, to pull the complete motor?
Or is this just making extra work?
I have a four post lift, and a beam with a block and tackle, so apart from all the disconnecting hassle, pulling the engine is possible - if it is a good idea.
I did the job on my C3 by removing the radiator, but on the C4 we have that crossmember that looks as though it could be a PITA.
Any opinions welcome, I am sure lots have done this one.
Thanks for your consideration :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Engine in or out? (britvette)
I changed the heads on my car with the engine in the car, it wasn't really hard. However the engine isn't really that hard to get out of a C4 either.
Just remember the rule. If you pull the motor out of a vette the engine bay expands and you will need a larger displacement motor to fill it back up :)
Can you say stroker motor?
Just remember the rule. If you pull the motor out of a vette the engine bay expands and you will need a larger displacement motor to fill it back up :)
Can you say stroker motor?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
You can pull the heads either way. I did my entire cam swap with the engine in the car. I've also removed the engine to replace it with another short block when I melted a bearing.
The only tough thing about pulling the heads in the car is getting to a couple of the lower head bolts with a torque wrench afterwards to put them on. It isn't HARD it just isn't the easiest.
If you pull the engine don't forget to put something under the tranny unless you take that out too. There is plenty of room to pull an engine out of a C4 engien bay without removing the hood if you don't pull the tranny. Those who tell you that you can't didn't try hard enough. :)
The only tough thing about pulling the heads in the car is getting to a couple of the lower head bolts with a torque wrench afterwards to put them on. It isn't HARD it just isn't the easiest.
If you pull the engine don't forget to put something under the tranny unless you take that out too. There is plenty of room to pull an engine out of a C4 engien bay without removing the hood if you don't pull the tranny. Those who tell you that you can't didn't try hard enough. :)
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: (scorp508)
You can pull the heads either way. I did my entire cam swap with the engine in the car. I've also removed the engine to replace it with another short block when I melted a bearing.
The only tough thing about pulling the heads in the car is getting to a couple of the lower head bolts with a torque wrench afterwards to put them on. It isn't HARD it just isn't the easiest.
If you pull the engine don't forget to put something under the tranny unless you take that out too. There is plenty of room to pull an engine out of a C4 engien bay without removing the hood if you don't pull the tranny. Those who tell you that you can't didn't try hard enough. :)
The only tough thing about pulling the heads in the car is getting to a couple of the lower head bolts with a torque wrench afterwards to put them on. It isn't HARD it just isn't the easiest.
If you pull the engine don't forget to put something under the tranny unless you take that out too. There is plenty of room to pull an engine out of a C4 engien bay without removing the hood if you don't pull the tranny. Those who tell you that you can't didn't try hard enough. :)
Mine was in and out 3 times this year, but ,,,,,I would not pull it agin unless I HAD too!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Re: (ld85)
Like it was said above you do not need to remove the hood to get the engine out, but I did it with a boom lift not an overhead beam. Might need the hood out of the way.
One tip I would give if you pull the engine is to lift the engine and tranny up as high as possible and pull the engine mounts. Then lower them back down as much as possible. This will give you the little bit of extra room you need to get the upper transmission bolts out. They are a real pain. Once they are out, leave the bottom ones in and raise the engine/tranny to a normal height and support the tranny before removing the remaining two bolts.
One tip I would give if you pull the engine is to lift the engine and tranny up as high as possible and pull the engine mounts. Then lower them back down as much as possible. This will give you the little bit of extra room you need to get the upper transmission bolts out. They are a real pain. Once they are out, leave the bottom ones in and raise the engine/tranny to a normal height and support the tranny before removing the remaining two bolts.
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