I've only done it from the top but I have access to a lift this time.....which way is the easiest?

 

Sounds like you have an opportunity to make an educated comparison. I wish I had a lift, just makes everything easier.

 

Out the bottom is the easiest, you can essentially drop the entire drivertrain with little trouble. Get the service manual-it's all in there.

 

It was designed to come out from the bottom but of course you'll need a holding fixture to do it.

 

A couple of heavy duty roll around tables seem to work the best. When you position the tables use some short blocks to shim up the front of the rear cradle and it will make reassembly much easier.

 

If you have access to a 2-post lift, out the bottom is the best way to do it. I've done mine a few times and wouldn't even consider pulling it out the top. As an alternative to building a table to rest the cradles on, I used 2 motorcycle jacks when I did my swaps. They are relatively cheap and have wheels so you can roll the drive train around after you lift the body and frame off. If you want I can post some pics.

Jimbo

 

A couple of pics would be nice as I'm going to have to do mine eventually.

 

Here are some pics for ya!









Hope this helps.

Jimbo

 

If you were just pulling the engine do you have to drop the rear also? Can't you split it at the bell housing and just drop the front cradle?

 

I cant help myself.

Thats what she said.

 

Thanks for the pictures, I copied them for reference.

 

 

 

IMO, taking everything out from the bottom in one shot saves alot of other work associated with just removing the engine.You don't have to remove the radiator/fans, steering rack, hood, etc.
Another benefit is that if you need to service the trans, diff or anything else on the driveline, it is much easier .

 

That's a hell of a set up. very nice.

 

Wow. That seems major but I've never pulled a C5 engine so it may be the way to go.

 

No, not really because you can't just "split" it, you have to pull it apart a few inches to separate it. I don't see how you could pull the front cradle/motor forward at all, until it was lowered a lot to clear the engine. By then, something would have broke at the rear cradle.

The rear cradle only takes about 20-25 minutes to drop, like 4 bolts in the rear cradle, upper control arm bolts and a shock bolt on each side. Watch the brake lines and disconnect a few electrical connectors. That was a couple years ago, hopefully I remembered most of it


I have a 4 post lift and had to pull and drop in from the top. I left the front cradle, radiator/fans and steering rack in place. Motor had heads, front accessories (water pump, ps pump) and clutch installed, no valve covers and no intake and I had left the AC compressor resting on the front cradle. Had to drop engine nearly straight down (clutch on bottom, crank pulley on top) until it got close to the front cradle and then slowly we pulled clutch end up and lower front down and repeat in small steps until rear was pulled up enough and engine was nearly level over the front cradle. I got underneath and grabbed the rear of the motor and pushed up and back, to clear the "batwing" style oil pan as buddy lowered the engine the last couple inches onto the front cradle.


Wish I could go back in time and buy a 2-post lift but you work with what you have. Jim has a great setup and a great running car.

 

If you pull the radiator and all you can drop the front without dropping the rear, you just have to lower it all down then slide it forward. Its kind of pain

 

Ok so I now officially have experienced it both ways. The only way to go is to drop it all out from the bottom. Talk about ez.