BB Engine removal questions

[Richard Dobson]

What is the best procedure for removing a BB? It is in a 69 GMC 3/4 ton with a tubo 400. Would you remove the front clip? Remove the trans first or pull it with the engine as a combo? Drain the trans fluid or get a plug for the tailshaft? Tell me how you would do it please. Thanks

[1969k10stepside]

Never pulled a big block,but I drain the tranny,and pull them both together.I usually remove the front clip.I believe you could get by with just pulling the hood pulling the motor seperatly.

[PanelDeland]

I usually pull the hood and radiator and fan.In most cases it's easier to pull both together(I'm too lazy to lay under and disconnect).You will need to remove the tranny crossmember.

[corn]

I pulled mine just like a small block. I took just the engine out & didnt even take the hood off. Make sure you have a good engine hoist, boy those big blocks are heavy!

[Richard Dobson]

My engine hoist pulled a 250 6 cyl with no problem. However I want to pull the BB with the trans. Whatya think? Would you guys use one of the plates that mounts on the intake like a carb to pull the engine? Feed more info, that's how we can avoid making mistakes and make it easier. Thanks

[Dieselwrencher]

If you plan to pull the engine and tranny together, I would not use the carb adapter plate. JMO I would use a chain and a leveler. I usually seperate them and leave the front clip on. Remove the radiator and hood and try it.

[cdowns]

i'd just pull both together// have never had any faith in the bolt to carb plates been using the same piece of chain forever using longer intake manifold bolts has worked good for hundreds of pulls and installs// i also just take a rag around the tailshaft put a 1gallon baggie over it and duct tape it to the tailshaft to control leakage

[Richard Dobson]

My engine has 1 lifting bracket on the front, I don't see 1 on the rear. What bolts should I use to pull both engine and tranny?

[mnunn454]

No need to pull the front clip or the tranny cross member or to separate the tranny from the block.

Pull the driveshaft, the cooling fan and radiator.

Remove all spark plugs, exhaust parts, tranny cooling lines, fuel parts, carb, and distributor, etc.

Drain the tranny or wrap a plastic baggy over the tailshaft and duct tape it tightly over the tailshaft.

Borrow and use an engine hoist and a leveller.

Here's some pics of my 396/TH400 combo coming out of my 69 SWB Fleet.

Biggest challenge for me was getting the nose of the engine high enough so the oil pan would clear the radiator support frame.

Good luck.

[Jtrux]

Why pull the tranny if you don't have to. I know people who do but I never have. Pull the hood, disconnect the tranny and yank away. Unless the tranny needs to come out leave it be. Also especially since it's a BB you're looking at a lot more weight so you might as well help yourself when you can and leave the tranny alone, it will make it easier to pull out and put back in.

[Richard Dobson]

Thanks MNun454 and Jtrucks, I noticed you used 2 chains. One on the front and one one the rear of what appears to be the intake bolts. Exactly which bolts did you use? If you look at the picture of my 396 you can see a lift bracket right about the alternator but I like the way you hooked you engine up. Yeah, I need to be careful to remove all the tran cooler lines, the 2 piece drive shaft, power steering hoses, etc. Then I need to clean and degrease the whole engine and trans. Then the Chevy orange rattle can paint job will go on. Speaking of drive shaft, what is the best way to remove a 2 piece drive shaft, can you just remove the front section and slip it out of the trans? Thanks guys.

[sodak69c10]

i've pulled BB with tranny with a single chain before and i'll admit the levelers are worth the money

mnunn, good post best description possible

[Richard Dobson]

See the engine lift bracket right above the alt. in the picture, if I use it what else can I use as a place to hook a chain? Or exactly what or where do you board members suggest? Thanks

[Richard Dobson]

See the engine lift bracket right above the alt. in the picture, if I use it what else can I use as a place to hook a chain? Or exactly what or where do you board members suggest? Thanks

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by Richard Dobson

See the engine lift bracket right above the alt. in the picture, if I use it what else can I use as a place to hook a chain? Or exactly what or where do you board members suggest? Thanks

Ive always ran a bolt through one of the accesory holes on the back of the head, and the other either on the lift hook or an accesory hole on the front. And always used just one chain too, jammed some screwdrivers into the links so it wouldnt move. Ran it from the front of the drivers side head to the back of the passenger side head.

That is until I spent the best $48 of my life and got a leveler.



Im not a big fan of lift plates either....

[cruiserman]

If you're not pulling the radiator, put a piece of wood in front of it for protection. Some people use a plate where the carb mounts. Others use a long intake or exhaust bolt.

[sodak69c10]

like slammed said. i use the hole in the end of each head

[Tx Firefighter]

Pull the radiator out too. All it takes is a 1/2 inch socket on those 4 top bolts. A new radiator core will cost you a minimum of 175 dollars. Get that expensive thing out of the way of heavy, pointy, swinging things.

[Richard Dobson]

I am going to remove the rad. I am thinking about removing the whole front clip. So you're suggesting me using the front lift bracket shown in the picture and put a bolt in an excessory hole in the rear of the head on the opposite side of the engine, correct? Could you guys tell me what that box is on the drivers side inner fender. I believe it is some kind of auxillary battery thingy. Thanks

[Slammed70]

Judging from the connections I would say a voltage regulator. Usually not mounted there though....