which is easier?

[mcguire22]

Im swapping my 230 out this weekend for a 283. The question is, is it easier to pull the motor and trans? just the motor? do I need to pull the front clip off? thanks guys

[grancuda]

I did my '72 with just pulling the motor, not the tranny. I didn't remove any body work, hood, fenders, grille.
It all went well and I swapped from a 250 I6 to a 350.

[driftbuster]

I'd pull the rad and fan tho. No need to pull tranny too.

[mcguire22]

that answers it then. thanks

[padresag]

it is easier to drop the trans first. it is only a 3 spd so is not heavy. this will also give you a chance to check all your ujoints and such. besides there is nothing to support the trans if you leave it there. it is easier to remove and reinstall without trans installed if the sheet metal is still on. you still have to drop the d/shaft anyway, you don't have to worry about gear oil running out the back of the trans everywhere as you will have to tip the assmebly to get it out. there are some lazier individuals that leave the hood on and wrestle it out that way, but you have much more ease of working on everything with it removed and the radiator. no hassle way of doing it
ron

[driftbuster]

Originally Posted by padresag

it is easier to drop the trans first.

I disagree, I have done this job "millions" of times and you leave the
tranny in unless you have tranny trouble. Support the transmission
with a floor jack, put a piece of rubber on Jack to prevent slipping. If
you have bad U-Joints, would you yank out the engine to replace them?

[padresag]

Originally Posted by driftbuster

I disagree, I have done this job "millions" of times and you leave the
tranny in unless you have tranny trouble. Support the transmission
with a floor jack, put a piece of rubber on Jack to prevent slipping. If
you have bad U-Joints, would you yank out the engine to replace them?

millions is a lot of times and your more than likely just 20 years old
ron

[Russ65C10]

I pulled the front clip when I replaced my motor. Its not nessicary but its a hell of lot easier and not that much more work. Personally I wouldn't do it any other way.

BTW I believe your tranny is "unsupported" so its coming out one way or an other. You're either dropping it on the ground under truck or you're pulling it out with the motor and swapping it over. Which leads me to believe you might be better off pulling the front clip. It's at worst 6 of one 1/2 dozen of an other as far at time wise, with the clip off you'll have more room to work.... just my opinion.

[mcguire22]

ok so, the trans, hood, radiator, and engine. Im into the no hassle thing since everyday being a european mechanic is nothing but hassle(NO ROOM!)

[mcguire22]

ive got a day and a half, plus all the tools in the world so I think it is possible. Ill try to take some pics

[markeb01]

The only time I've found it easier the pull the engine/trans together is when it's in a car with a tightly fitting transmission tunnel, where it's difficult to get access to the upper bellhousing bolts. These trucks provide a lot of clearance so that's not much of a problem. I had to pull the hood on mine since I was pulling a GMC V6 which is huge, and even then I had to take the wheels off the truck and drop it on the ground to get the engine over the fenders. I don't think you'll need to remove any sheetmetal for clearance, although you may need to turn the six sideways as it reaches the top for valve cover to hood clearance.

Oops - I forgot about the bellhousing mounts. Yep, the transmission is going to have to come out either way - either before or with the engine, unless you can find a convenient way to prop it in position.

[mcguire22]

The trans and motor are coming out. It is a good point on how the trans will stay in since there is no rear mount. Thanks padresag

[mcguire22]

motor mounts staying in the same place? there in the rear position right now with the 6. There is a lot of discusion about this and I couldnt really find a straight forward answer. some say leave and others say move forward. It will have the 3 on the tree if that matters. thanks

[Tx Firefighter]

Why would you bother to pull the trans ?

If you pull it all as one unit it is much longer and more cumbersome to get out of the engine bay. Plus you have to monkey with the shift linkage, speedo cable, driveshaft, and bell housing mounts. Then when you tip it up to get it all out of the engine bay you have to deal with the gear oil trying to run out the back of the trans.

Just put a ratchet strap over the frame and under the back of the trans to hold it up and pull the engine.

I haven't done it millions of times, but I have done it dozens of times.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I haven't done it millions of times, but I have done it dozens of times.

Okay - funny chit right there!

[jonzcustomshop]

I just replaced a 6 for a 6 last week, I pulled the front clip off, it was nice to just have it out of the way. I unbolted the engine from the bell housing, and left it and the trans in place. when I put the new motor in, I just wiggeled it onto the transmissoin shaft.
I actually did the job on 2 trucks, putting a better 6 in the one to drive, and putting the rough 6 in the other, if I could have dedicated unintirupted time to the process I would say 8 hours would be more than enough time.

[mcguire22]

thats encouraging. It just has to be done by monday. thanks for the input jonzcustomshop