Pulling an engine

[#0441]

I recently swaped trannys in a syclone. All we did was droped the cross member for the tranny. Made sure the fan wasn't going to hit and pulled down on the back of the tranny. A few extentions and a swivel and the top bolts were out. I could even get my hand on top of the tranny. Realesed the pressure on the back of the tranny and took out the bottom bolts.That was it, quick and easy. :tup:

I'm planning to put an engine in my sy. When I do I will do the same. When I pulled the tranny in that other sy I saw that I would gain easier access to all the bolts in the back of the engine.

 

[93ty475]

mike,

your front clip is off in your avatar.. :lol:

thats because i did a little more then just pull the motor :rock:

that truck is a work of art...i went through a gallery of it on sportmachines today.... can't wait to see it in person.... :tup:

 

[TYTILIDIE]

I got so good at pulling my motor I can do it in under 2 hours. Probably even less now cause Ive thrown so much out like the huge gaping A/C box, wheel wells, all that crap. Anyway, I may be flammed for saying this and am not nececssarily recommending this, but, I tosssed the 2 bell housing bolts on top. They suck anyway. My Vette didnt have them either. Never had a trans fall out or vibrate. To each his own I guess, Ild just rather not deal with them. BTW, torque converter bolts and bell housing bolts are all you should have to get under the truck for. And the motor mounts, almost forgot. Good luck.

Mike

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: Pulling an engine

I know, I know, this is a really old thread, but I wanted to recycle it instead of make a new one.:rotf: We are getting ready to start prepping for removing the engine, and a few (more) tips and tricks would be appreciated. We have a Syclone service manual, and from the looks of it the turbo and accessories can stay on the engine. One question is, can the transfer case stay attached when removing the engine and trans as a whole? If not, what is the best way to lower/lift it, since I have heard that it isn't exactly light. Also, we will be swapping bolt-ons from the blown engine onto a good (bare) Sy engine. How hard (generally) are the exhaust manifolds to remove? Does the turbo have to be removed before the manifold can be unbolted? I've heard stories of snapped turbo mounting studs, so that is one thing that concerns me.


Our plan is to put in the "new" engine/trans into the recipiant truck, and take the trans that is attached to the blown engine and put it in our truck. Any tips for doing transmission swaps while the engine is still in the truck? Any (and all) help is much appreciated!:tup:

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Pulling an engine

i don't see how the transfer case can be that heavy but if it is just put a jack under and strap it to the jack. anytime i pull a transfer i just slide it off the output of the tranny and pull it off and drag it out from under the truck. i doubt it weighs over 70 or 80lbs

 

[Syclone#892]

Re: Pulling an engine

Transfer case is pretty light I have removed them by myself before and I am not a very big guy don't worry about that. What I would worry about is why you are removing all of it. I would just remove the engine unless there is a reason you want to remove all of it. If you have to remove the trans also you must drop the front diff some and remove the whole front core support. The Oil pan will hit the diff if you don't at least lower it it is way more work than you need to do.


Good luck with the swap.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Pulling an engine

How hard (generally) are the exhaust manifolds to remove? Does the turbo have to be removed before the manifold can be unbolted? I've heard stories of snapped turbo mounting studs, so that is one thing that concerns me.

I tried to remove my Turbo before removing the manifolds and experienced the snapped studs. It just depends on the age and state. Make an educated guess but it might be worth sourcing some alternate headers in case. Getting the actual manifolds off is not too bad at least in my experience. Getting them on again? That was a nightmare.

I have read of people putting their manifolds in the oven so they heat up enough to give you the clearance to get them back on again. Others have had no problems. Stand by!

Also, when you go to put the manifolds on the engine again, be prepared for a leak. I personally think it is a poor design that doesn't take into account any required maintenance. There is no gasket (there wasn't supposed to be one) between the engine and the manifolds, but there are LOADS of thereads on here (do a search) about people with that problem.

Unless your new engine and the manifolds are in perect condition, you'll probably need to either machine the heads or use a gasket material. That is a preference/ cost based decision. Ask the guys here. I am putting some gasket material on over the weekend.

When you have the headers off, examine the bit where the turbo mounts - there is often a crack. They are made from cast iron so whilst strong, they are brittle so you may need to repair them which could prove problematic.

You can remove the manifolds with the turbo on but if you have an A/C, it is a PITA.

Good luck!

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: Pulling an engine

Thanks for the advice! When I swap over all the parts, I will have both engines on stands, so it will make access easier. I plan on replacing all the gaskets where required (upper and lower intake, and most likely adding exh. gaskets). Would those who have removed engines before also reccommend changing the motor mounts as well? The truck has roughly 300-350K on it, so I'm sure the mounts are trash. Would it be safe to use poly or solid mounts for the engine while retaining the OE mounts for the trans? I also plan on replacing normal wear items such as plugs/wires/cap/rotor/belt/hoses, etc. Thanks for all the info!:tup:

 

[ed hess]

Re: Pulling an engine

fwiw

i now have rubber plugs in the firewall for the 2 upper bolts on the drivers side. takes 60 seconds literally to do those now.

 

[leadfoot]

Re: Pulling an engine

Where have you guys been mounting your chains for the cherry picker? -intake manifold bolts? I need a strong spot as the whole engine, trans, turbo/downpipe etc. are coming out in one pop.

There is no front diff, or rad support in the way, so I am going to go for it.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Pulling an engine

Where have you guys been mounting your chains for the cherry picker? -intake manifold bolts? I need a strong spot as the whole engine, trans, turbo/downpipe etc. are coming out in one pop.

There is no front diff, or rad support in the way, so I am going to go for it.

most people use the lower intake bolts, I think there is a spot for a hook on the back of the intake as well..

I'll eventually pull the motor in my syclone, eventually.. it should be easy enough, the only thing still on it is the cab.

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: Pulling an engine

Well, its warming up here and now I can work on the truck again. Last time I left off, I was trying to remove the front bumper so I can take the entire front end off. No such luck, those bolts are really on there. Is it possible to remove the engine without taking off the front clip?

 

[Houseofperformance]

Re: Pulling an engine

no need to take the front clip of, even so it makes things a lot easier.
I even left the radiator in the truck when i pulled my engine.
for the chains: i made a steel plate with the bolt-pattern of the upper intake, welded 2 steel hooks to it and bolted it to the lower intake.
if you leave your front clip on you will need a cherrypicker with enough lift to get the engine to clear it.

 

[leadfoot]

Re: Pulling an engine

Well, its warming up here and now I can work on the truck again. Last time I left off, I was trying to remove the front bumper so I can take the entire front end off. No such luck, those bolts are really on there. Is it possible to remove the engine without taking off the front clip?

Load up all nuts and bolts (being removed) with liquid wrench for about a few weeks before you start taking things apart. It really helps.

I think those two main bolts that hold the front clip to the frame will spin if you do not hold the bolt side.

If you leave the trans in, then it should not be a problem taking the engine out with the front clip on.