Pulling motor

[Igorsgonemadd]

I'm pulling the tbi 454 out of my truck and need some advise, as I've never done it before. I plan on pulling the motor and tranny together and yes I have a leveler. First off, should I drop the transmission pan and drain the fluid before I pull it? I know even if I do that there is still fluid in the tq converter, what's the best way to keep that from leaking out the tailshaft? Also, do I need to remove the transmission crossmember or just the mount.

Power steering pressure line, is it easier to remove it from the pump or leave it attached to the pump and undo it from the box?

Motor mounts, do I need to jack the motor up some before the bolts will slide out?

Distributor, should I remove it before I pull the motor, just don't want to tear it up in the pulling process .

Pulling motor out, this is the part that makes me nervous. Where do I attatch the chains or should I get an engine lift plate and pull the tbi off and lift from there. If I use the chain and mount it to the heads or intake or wherever you guys tell me is best.....I'm assuming I need longer bolts there?

Mounting motor to stand. Can anyone tell me what bolts I need so I can already have them on hand. What size, how long? I will get grade 8. And which holes on the back of the block should I use to mount?

Unhooking fuel line from tbi, it's probably self explanatory when I get to it, haven't even looked yet. Do I need to relieve pressure off the system before I loosen line?

I'll probably have a few more after I start on it tonight. Any other tips or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
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[Desert1957]

Pulling any BIG block with a transmission attached is one of the heaviest lifts you will try. Use a heavy duty style lift, not one of those Harbor freight cheap style. Most cheap style pullers will have the boom fully extended, which limits is capacity to almost nothing. This can cause tipping over with a big load.

Might be worth even renting a larger one from a rental place for a few hours, its cheap insurance nothing will go wrong.

Pull the distributor, If TBI let it sit over night and fuel pressure should be reduced to zero.
Use a lifting plate may be difficult with the Throttle Body bolt pattern, may have to chain it to the heads.
While raising the engine just remove the long motor mount bolts, mount stay with the engine.
IMO pull the engine first, then lower the trans out on a floor jack.

Desert

[bilfman]

Take lots of pics with a digital camera, trust me, this being your first pull it will save your azz. Also ziplock bags and a sharpie to mark all the nuts and bolts. I always remove the rad, its quick, gives you more room and save swinging the engine into it and smashing it.

If not using a pull plate I hook up a bolt on the intake at number 1 cylinder and number 8 for the chain. And yes longer bolts to accomodate a plate or chain that you use. Also is a good idea to take off the tbi/carb, save a rogue swing by the chain and damaging it.

You dont need grade 8 bolts, as for length they should be about 1" longer then you engine stand pass through.

For the tranny, draining the fluid is a good idea, but even better if you can find an old yoke. Just take your driveshaft out, put in the old yoke, use some wire, electrical tape etc to hold it to the trans so it doesn't fall out and that will seal it up just fine for the pull.

Power steering, just pull whichever is easier, i usually do the pump.

Crossmember, I would take it out since you are pulling the combo. I like to put a small rolling jack by the mount, this way you can 'roll' the trans when manipulating the engine and you can also adjust up/down as needed.

Also a good idea to label all wires with masking tape and a sharpie.

[andrewmp6]

I would take the trans out first its a lot easier then pulling them both together.