I'm getting ready to pull the motor in my 71. Has anyone been there? The question is can I pull the Engine Trans(4spd) as a unit. Is easier to pull the motor leave the trans and remove it later or pull the trans first? Every is loose or removed its just which combo is the best way. Please If anyone can give me a better way idea let me know. The dentist is waiting to put some teeth in this mouse! Crank, pistons, cam , intake and heads are on the bench. Noticed after I posted these questions that motorbreath had just completed the same job but his file does not give an e mail So If your out there I would appreciate your input.

|UPDATED|11/20/2002 9:01:48 PM|/UPDATED|

Adam just recently replaced his engine also. With all the problems he encountered, he just has to have some advice on this.

I was just told that my engine crane may not work because of the engine set back? The cars on my lift and can't be moved. I hope I don't end up renting a fork lift to get this darn thing out.

|UPDATED|11/21/2002 9:08:27 AM|/UPDATED|

|QUOTE|pozz33 said: I'm getting ready to pull the motor in my 71. Has anyone been there? The question is can I pull the Engine Trans(4spd) as a unit. Is easier to pull the motor leave the trans and remove it later or pull the trans first?...|/QUOTE|

Glenn is right, I recently replaced my motor.
Take a look at "1979 Project Car" under the "Fun" menu.

I had a hell of a time getting it out.
I left the trans in place and just unbolted it from the motor.

The angle of the car, and the limited room made it very hard... as you'll see in the 1979 Project Car section, we had to yank a little, move the hoist, yank some more, move the hoist, etc.

BE VERY CAREFUL when you put the engine back in. It is VERY important to attach it back to the trans as smoothly and gently as possible. You have to make sure to line it up right, or you'll be in big trouble, like me. We pretty much smacked the hell out of it to get them to line up, and wound up ruining the trans in the process.

Take plenty of pictures as you go, and LABEL EVERYTHING, every nut & bolt!! Don't take for granted that when you pull it out, you say "oh, I'll remember that this is the motor mount bolt," because when it comes time to put it back, you'll forget which is which, because they all start to look alike!

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress!

(Oh, by the way... if you were to ask me if you should do it yourself or have a professional do it... I'd tell you have a professional do it! It wound up costing me more to fix my mistakes then to have it done by a professional to begin with.)

|UPDATED|11/21/2002 10:55:50 AM|/UPDATED|

There ya go ladies and gents, one for the tricks and tips section. If you are going to take on a job like that, at least have someone with you who knows how, or at the very least has done it before and already knows some of the mistakes they make and won't make again.
I will be doing my engine swap sometime this winter ( I hope ) and one of the guys from my club who used to build race cars and swapped more engines that he cares to remember is going to help me. If it was not for him, I would absolutely be on the phone calling a professional shop. At least if they break something, they are obligated to fix it for free ( if they are a responsible shop anyhow ).
Good luck Henry

if i remenber correctly the shop manual states to remove the trans first and not to remove it with the engine.

Thanks for all the info. I pulled the mouse yesterday. Good tips from all! Glad that someone told me that the standard boom length was to short. Friday in school the kids made an extension for me. I pushed the transmission back so that it was out of the throwout bearing but not clear of the bellhousing. I supported the transmission after I slide it back. The engine minus the intake came out like butter. I pulled the intake to get better mounting for the sling. Thanks again everybody I started to strip the engine down but its miller time.

|UPDATED|11/24/2002 11:22:03 PM|/UPDATED|

When you put it back in, try to do it as a one piece assembly. What I did is first build it all out, and bolt it together. I got the car on four tires where I could roll it. I took the raditor core support out.

I put a brace in the ceiling with a hook supporting it and a come along style crank.

We then centered the car, lifted the motor and trans, and rolled the car into the engine. My wife grabed the trans tail shaft and made sure it swung up and over the trans x member, then it dropped in like a glove. The whole thing was in in 5 minutes and I was already tightening the engine mount bolts.

I have R&R'd two motors in my Vette's. Both were disconected from the trans. I am impressed with 69myway's pics however, I am not sure this would work without the car on wheel casters and a whole lot of adjustments. If you have A/C, the process is more complicated.

The important thing is to have help. I have done all of my engine swaps solo, and it was extremely tedious. Take your time as the target (the engine compartment) gets real small with 700+ pounds of cast iron swinging over the fenders.

Have fun,

Alex

If I have help I may go one piece. I pulled it alone and think if I had help I could have done as a unit. I have to prep better. There is nothing in the engine bay. The problem I have is that with the extention on my crane the load is a bouncy. It cant tip because the legs are under the lift but thats the other problem its up about 12 inches between the height for the crane legs and the thickness on the ramps.I still have some time, my suspension kit just came, the blocks is amost finished, I just started the heads, I need an intake and its cold in the garage. I'm off for two weeks I hope to complete the motor and get most of the heavy work in the bay done. I hope anyway. All the info that I've gotten here on the forum pages has been great. I still kick myself after Juiliet pointed out the the problem I was having with PS belt clearence was that the belt was to long. Sometimes you can't see the forest through the trees. I always expect the worst on my on cars. Thanks again to all, Have a happy and safe holiday if I'm not on between how and then. Save the wave Pozz33

|UPDATED|12/21/2002 11:08:50 AM|/UPDATED|