Pulling short block
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
Pulling short block
This is kind of an idle question guys, and it may indeed be a stupid idea, it wouldn't be my first...I just don't know:
Doing H/C/I on 2000 M6. I have the heads off the motor, and with them the steering, radiator, etc. I notice that there is not much left. I have heard of people pulling motors out of C5s from the top before...once you have all of this stuff pulled, is it really as easy as it looks (torque tube and motor mounts) to pull the short block with a cherry picker?
I'm not really considering it, but maybe 10% of me wants to replace my clutch in this fashion while I'm at it...and another 10% (and 100% of my buddies) want me to throw a stroker in there instead of my "seasoned" LS1 short block.
If you got any ideas about this, I'd love to hear them, but again...mostly idle wondering. I will probably leave it there no matter what.
Doing H/C/I on 2000 M6. I have the heads off the motor, and with them the steering, radiator, etc. I notice that there is not much left. I have heard of people pulling motors out of C5s from the top before...once you have all of this stuff pulled, is it really as easy as it looks (torque tube and motor mounts) to pull the short block with a cherry picker?
I'm not really considering it, but maybe 10% of me wants to replace my clutch in this fashion while I'm at it...and another 10% (and 100% of my buddies) want me to throw a stroker in there instead of my "seasoned" LS1 short block.
If you got any ideas about this, I'd love to hear them, but again...mostly idle wondering. I will probably leave it there no matter what.
Last edited by kernelPanicked; Apr 3, 2013 at 06:03 PM. Reason: clarified year & model
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
I've seen it done before in another thread. I beleive you need to remove the front bumper as well unless you have a gantry. you really aren't far off. you could probably even leave the ac intact.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
I've done 11 cam swaps in C5s leaving the engine in the car and only one complete engine removal. It can be a lot more work to pull the shortblock than you may think, depending on your equipment. I was using an engine hoist that wasn't long enough to reach from the front so I had to pull it from the side of the car. Made it very difficult to get under the car to drop the front cradle while suspending the engine. Also was a pain to get the torque tube re-aligned with the clutch on assembly. If you don't plan on breaking down the short block then I wouldn't recommend pulling it.
It is good for a once every couple years experience though:
It is good for a once every couple years experience though:
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 2
From: Clemson Sc
We just finished putting a ls3 based 418 in my buddies c5, we took the blown ls2(402) out the bottom but put the 418 back in the top. I think it depends on the equipment you have available. Basic floor jacks, jack stands, and a cherry picker.
R and R'd mine from the bottom.
BUT if you don't need to work on the short block, lol id leave it in the car. All kinds of extra headaches that you don't need you know.
R and R'd mine from the bottom.
BUT if you don't need to work on the short block, lol id leave it in the car. All kinds of extra headaches that you don't need you know.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Not sure it is apples to apples but I pulled My C4 from the side many times without any problems with the hood on. I know the C5 is different but in terms of getting a cherry picker with a long enough boom to reach from the front it has been the same since the C3.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
I just got my motor pulled from the top this past weekend. New motor going in this weekend.
I didnt think it was all that hard. You dont need to pull the heads, bumper, front anything really. Just the intake, lines on the top of steering rack(so the balancer will clear), and loosen the kmember bolts(for the oil pan to clear). I removed the front accessories but dont think you have to minus the compressor. To do this EASILY YOU NEED to have a leveler on the engine lift and a jack on the torque tube.
I used this link to help me some... http://www.cajundude.com/engineswap.htm
If you get into this and have any issues feel free to pm me!
I didnt think it was all that hard. You dont need to pull the heads, bumper, front anything really. Just the intake, lines on the top of steering rack(so the balancer will clear), and loosen the kmember bolts(for the oil pan to clear). I removed the front accessories but dont think you have to minus the compressor. To do this EASILY YOU NEED to have a leveler on the engine lift and a jack on the torque tube.
I used this link to help me some... http://www.cajundude.com/engineswap.htm
If you get into this and have any issues feel free to pm me!
Last edited by williamb81; Apr 6, 2013 at 12:59 AM.
