Pulling The Engine

[RLE80L48]

Well I'm planning on puttin the 383 in the baby over the holiday break. Was wondering if its easier to pull the eng. and trans together or just the eng. its self. I've done it both ways in other vehicles but never a vette. Looks a lot tight in there. What do you all think.Ron

 

[1979toy]

Pull just the engine. You can remove the engine without taking off the hood even. All of the bellhousing bolts can be removed easily. Put the car on jackstands, remove the near side front tire, move the hoist in from the side, lift engine, back out, Smile!

 

[matchframe]

Ron,

Is your Vette automatic, or manual?

From my experience, with the manual trans it is easier in the long run to pull it with the engine. Once out, lining the clutch up with the flywheel is easier on the floor than under the Vette.

Automatics are another story. The size and weight makes it difficult to get it all out at the same time.

Do like 1979toy suggested and put the Vette up on stands before working on it, because you will need to get under the Vette several times during the pull. Make sure the Vette has a solid footing on the stands so there are no problems. If you are using a cherry picker type of hoist, you will have to pull the hood off in order to pull the motor. An overhead chain hoist may be another story. I have always pulled the hood because I needed more room to work on the motor.

Let us hear how it goes!

Take lots of pics!


Bill

 

[RLE80L48]

Does it hurt to lift the eng. using a plate on the intake where the carb bolts on? I have a two post lift in the garage now. Can I use it in place of jack stands?

 

[Full_Blown]

Looks like everyone is pulling motors this weekend. LOL.

I've got a 79. I'm pulling the L48 and dropping in an L82. Like RLE80L48 I've also done pulls but never on a vette. I'd like to pull the tranny too so I can have a good look at it and maybe do a mod or two before I put it all back together. I've already removed the hood and I was going to take out the metal donut frame where the rad mounts. Can I remove the engine and tranny out altogether or is it better separately? (I have a cherry-picker hoist)

Also the AC system has been removed. I was going to reinstall one. Can this be done with the engine in place or does the motor have to be out? I haven't got an AC system yet. BTW if anybody has a lead on one in Onatrio, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[GTR1999]

You can pull the eng with/without the tranny. I've done it both ways. Pulled 350 + 4 spd,350+ TH400,350 alone. Never tried a BB and tranny though. You would need a strong hoist for that.
Use a leveler or it's not going to be pretty. Bolt into the head accessory holes(3/8-16) I would trust a carb plate on an aluminum intake. I like to install as a unit. Then you know the clutch is aligned and you save a lot of time. Leave off the fuel pump and oil filter. I also remove the radiator and support. Most times the support needs repair or replacement anyway.

 

[Mac]

Use a leveler or it's not going to be pretty.

Definitely! Nothing will spoil your day faster than slamming your engine against that fibreglass firewall while trying to pull the engine out on chains. A leveler gives the ability to change the tilt in a controlled manner and, trust me, that comes in very handy. With a leveler, an engine pull is a one man job.

I also remove the radiator and support. Most times the support needs repair or replacement anyway.

If nothing else, this gives you a bit more room to work and save you from accidently messing up the rad (or the support).

A few extra minutes of preparation (ie: removing potential obstructions) will pay huge dividends. I know I'm a bit too fussy but I make a list of things as I remove them, so I know what to restore when I put it all back together.

 

[Jack]

Does it hurt to lift the eng. using a plate on the intake where the carb bolts on?

No it doesn't hurt the engine to R&R w/ a carb plate. We've done it many times on race cars (not vette) ... it's our preferred way to do it. All our motors (mostly sbc & a coupla sbf) have aluminum intake with four (4) carb bolts ... make sure you have all 4 bolts securely threaded into the intake. Our cars have a bit more wiggle room in the bay than a vette ... you may find chains offer a bit more ability to articulate. All our motors have manual trans ... we R&R motor & trans together ... agree it's probably easier to do auto trans separate.
JACK:gap

 

[tonyk72]

Any advice for somebody looking to pull a motor/trans for the first time? Anybody ever take a video of themselves pulling an engine? I'd like to see one...

 

[silver 80]

It's very simple to do.
I pulled the engine out of the 80 myself no problems.
just take your time and keep checking the engine on the way out, to make sure you didn't forget anything.

I had the 80 up on jackstands, and just used a cherry picker.
I started at the bottom and worked my way to the top.

 

[gedmeyer]

...

Any advice for somebody looking to pull a motor/trans for the first time? Anybody ever take a video of themselves pulling an engine? I'd like to see one...

...yeah, don't drop it!

haha, in all seroiusness, it isn't that difficult. I left my tranny in, so the bell housing bolts were a bit of a pain in the butt, but otherwise it was pretty simple. And this was my first time ever pulling an engine. Take your time. If you get in a hurry, you might start getting lazy and then doing stuff that might haunt you. I pulled mine completely alone, but help would be even better!

-tim

 

[corvettegreg]

not everyone has access to a leveler. Here is a trick I have used many times successfully in my c2's and c3's. I usually pull the engine and tranny as a unit using a chainfall on a trolley. Use a strong chain and catch the most rear exhaust manifold bolts. If you lifted only this way the assembly would be "front heavy". Go buy a 1" wide nylon rachet type tie down with hooks on each end (about $10) Hook one end to the chainfall chain and the other around the waterpump. Use the chainfall to lift and the rachet to tilt. I have almost stood the engine/tranny assembly on end to get it in and out (just plug the tranny with an old driveshaft yoke)This makes it easy to remove or install alone without damaging your pride and joy. Best $10 I ever spent!

Good luck

 

[Full_Blown]

Thanks corvettegreg,

Where was your post 3 days ago. LOL. Oh well, I'll bolt up the engine and tranny and try this method when I put it back in.

Steve

 

[RLE80L48]

Yeah Baby!!!!!! Its out. Shes still hangin on the hoist(the little women made go christmas shopping for the grand kids) Just wanted to let you all know. It went great. I made a leveler at work yesterday, finished unhooking everything last night and this AM lifted her out. Smooth as heck. You guys were right the lever is the way to go. Did it all in one shot eng. and trans together and no need to remove rad support. Now I can clean and paint the eng compartment and put the mono leaf suspension on. New eng. should go in over the holiday. I'm right on schedule. Ain't it great? Thanks for all the advice.