Pulling out a 217 flathead

[Lakermatt]

Hey all, I am getting ready to fire up my 53 cranbrook tonight, and after I hear hear run I want to pull the engine out to do a deep clean and repaint.. How difficult is this task, and what should I look out for when doing so. You guys always give me sound advice.. Thanks!

[Jerry Roberts]

You can clean the engine right where it is pretty well . Pulling the engine is a lot of extra work .

[54Illinois]

Getting those bolts out between the head and firewall are the biggest pain IMO.

I think you could do a decent job while it is still under the hood though...

[Young Ed]

I did mine earlier this summer. And you could do a much better job than I did if you removed more of the pieces that shouldn't be silver.

Before:

After:

[Guest P15-D24]

Comes out a lot easier with it off. Also pulling the clip makes it a lot easier.

[Rusty O'Toole]

You don't need to remove the engine to clean and paint.

If you are a glutton for punishment what you want to do is remove the front clip. This means, remove the hood then remove the front fenders and grille as an assembly.

Safest place to store the hood is on the roof. Cover the roof with quilts or blankets to prevent scratches.

This gives all around access to the engine, frame, and front suspension for cleaning inspection and repair.

But it is a lot of extra work.

[Niel Hoback]

Yeah, well, Rusty, Thats what I did, put a blanket on the rook and put the hood up there for safe keeping. A few days later it occurred to me to shove the car out in the driveway to clean stuff up in the engine bay. So, I pushed the car out backwards and watched as the hood caught on the overhead door, slide off sideways, bounce off a large vise on a workbench next to the car, then bounce from on side to the other on the floor. Result; a long curved dent in the top next to the hood ornament and folded edges onboth sides at the back corners.

Wait, this post belongs on the "stupid things I've done" thread.

[Rusty O'Toole]

Ah jeez that's too bad. Wish I could say something to make it better.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Yep.. Never set things on any car that can be driven or moved-BUMMER! I've also learned that lession too.

Bob

[james curl]

When pulling the front clip it is made easier if you remove both front wheels and tires then lower the car down as low as your floor jack will go before trying to lift the clip off.

This makes it easier as you do not have to lift the clip high enough for the back bottom of the fenders to clear the front tires.

[DCurrent]

Yeah, well, Rusty, Thats what I did, put a blanket on the rook and put the hood up there for safe keeping. A few days later it occurred to me to shove the car out in the driveway to clean stuff up in the engine bay. So, I pushed the car out backwards and watched as the hood caught on the overhead door, slide off sideways, bounce off a large vise on a workbench next to the car, then bounce from on side to the other on the floor. Result; a long curved dent in the top next to the hood ornament and folded edges onboth sides at the back corners.

Wait, this post belongs on the "stupid things I've done" thread.

I know someone that did the hood on roof idea! He pushed the car outside to clean up the mess in the garage. A big gust of wind picked it up and through it 10' from his car and cartwheeled for another 10'. He had to buy a new hood! It cost him about 2,700 bucks by the time he bought another hood and had the front end painted.

He'll never do that again!

Darren

[Don Coatney]

My hood was stored on the roof the entire time I replaced the engine. But the car never moved more than a foot or so the entire time (close to two years),

[55 Fargo]

My hood was stored on the roof the entire time I replaced the engine. But the car never moved more than a foot or so the entire time (close to two years),

Hey You, Been an STP promoter since your Motorcyle days Don, do you still secretly pour some down once in a while.....

[Don Coatney]

Hey You, Been an STP promoter since your Motorcyle days Don, do you still secretly pour some down once in a while.....

I do not secretly pour some down these days. I did use STP on the camshaft and crankshaft bearings along with assembly lubrication when I assembled my engine. The fender covers were given to all Bonneville participants in 1969 if you placed an STP decal on your racer. I stuck the decal on the oil tank on my BSA motorcycle and it was covered when I reinstalled the oil tank cover.

[55 Fargo]

I figured that fender cover was vintage, looks like real quality. I used some STP last in my truck steering box...