Engine Removal

[Jim Shepard]

:confused:When pulling an engine for overhaul, is there any advantage to pulling the transmission at the same time? My truck is a fluid drive - does that make a difference? I seem to remember when my son overhauled the engine in his '55 Chevy he used some sort of "guide" to line up the engine and transmission when he re-installed it. It seems it would be easier to pull the engine and tranny together and bolt them back together before re-installment. What's the consensus out there?

[Reg Evans]

If you are going to remove the front clip you could leave them together during the R and R. It can be done without removing the clip but it's much more difficult.

[John-T-53]

I left them together for removal, with front clip on, and it was tough! There was a hangup with getting the brake pedal off, clearing the firewall at the back of the bellhousing, and clearing the front sheet metal with the crankshaft pulley and oil pan. We had to raise the whole thing up at a sharp angle so the tranny had room to move around. If I were to do it again, I'd remove the front clip.

If you choose to leave the clip on, make some extra room by removing as much from the engine as possible - generator, manifolds, etc. Remove the throttle linkage bracket from the top two bellhousing bolts. Remove the radiator core support and the sheet metal shroud that's between it and the grill panel. Might want to remove the steering column as well so its easier to get the brake pedal off. I'd take the tranny off too. Four bolts and it should slide right out - just have a helper under there to catch it.

Also, a two-ton hoist is a must, since these have a longer reach and lift height.

[48Dodger]

Take'em together. Remove front clip and bumper. You'll be in better control with less at risk. Give me call, we can pull it at my shop.

48D

[Jim Shepard]

Ok, let me see if I can restate my question.I know its esier to remove the nose and hood first and I will do this. My question is whether its easier to mate the engine and trans back together when they're both out of the truck rather than in. It seems to me that it would be, but never having done it, I thought I'd rely on some other expertise. When mating them back together do I need some sort of pilot tool?

[Tom Skinner]

Jim,

I am just going by my experience here, but there are only 4 Bolts per each end of a Drive Shaft at the U-Joints, and 6 Bolts on a Transmission to Bell Housing, I almost forgot I had some Transmission Mounting Bolt (2) to the Frame.

Isn't there alot less work here than removing a Front Clip? More Bolts - many more your way?

I would think the Transmission Selenoids have to come off also. You may re-think this, you could bang everything up pretty good, not to mention have something slip and lose a finger or two trying to wrestle that whole thing out in one piece. I will wish you the best either way, but please be careful.

If the Front Clip needs cleaning up and painting there will be plenty of room with the Motor and Trans out of there anyway.

Tom