Grill Removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

orange72350 · 10-19-2003, 02:51 AM

I want to remove my grill and rad support to slip in an engine and tranny. what is inlvolved in removing these two pieces? big job, or is it something simple? just wanna make it as easy as possilbe to slam in the combo wihtout a ton of work. thanx in advance
dale
btw, its a 72 gmcif that makes a diff

krue · 10-19-2003, 02:58 AM

I have never had to pull anything but the hood and radiator out. Just have the tailshaft on the tranny angled down and guide it in.
It REALLY helps to have somebody help you guide it all in.
What kind of lift are you using? If it won't roll, have your truck so you can roll it forward as you let the engine and tranny down. Take your time and don't let it hang up on anything and you should be OK.
Good luck, Krue

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-19-2003, 06:20 AM

Krue is right on installing the engine.

It would be easier to pull the front clip than to try to remove the grill and radator support. In either case you would have to pull the front bumper. The grill is fastened in with supports on both sides and in the middle. The radiator support is bolted to the fenders on both sides and it has two mounts to the frame. The wiring would have to be disconnected, also.

With the support removed the fenders would be unsupported.

Jim

69C10Atl · 10-19-2003, 08:56 PM

It shouldn't be to hard to just remove the grill and radiator support. I was able to completely dismantle my front clip in about an hour. Now as for putting it back together I can't help you there mines been dismantles for a year. I do know that you can order complete sets of hardware for the grill installaton and radiator support from "GMC Pauls". It is probably a good idea to at least get the set for the grille installation, many of my smaller screws, for the grille, almost stripped out during removal.

Longhorn Man · 10-19-2003, 10:54 PM

Personally, I like having the sheet metal removed if able to.
Sometimes if you don't have the time, then just takign the hood off is fine. (I see no reason to pull the tranny with the engine onless you have to, even then, I'd rather drop it from below)
However, if you don't need to drive the truck to work on monday, and you have a place out of site from the street, then removing the entire front clip is the way to go on this IMO.

dinnut · 10-19-2003, 11:01 PM

you have alot of pictures of engine swaps longhorn man?

Longhorn Man · 10-19-2003, 11:58 PM

Not really...not as many as I'd like.

*racedvl* · 10-20-2003, 12:17 AM

Here's a engine swap picture if ya want one. . .

krazy_texan · 10-20-2003, 12:51 AM

here is one for you guys
what is the shortest time you have had to swap an engine and did you meet the deadline
i am asking because i am looking at buying a 66 burb and using the motor and tranny out of the 71 for it catch is that i have to have the burb ready to be registered on the following monday and i will start this on a friday night

O'l Buck · 10-20-2003, 01:40 AM

When i was in college, a friend and I assembled a 6.2L diesel and installed it in his pickup in 1 weekend (87 K-10). Swapping engines (at least for me) is pretty quick and simple to do......I've had lots of practice.

*racedvl* · 10-20-2003, 01:55 AM

I pulled the engine and trans (250/3 on the tree) out of my 69 in 1 hour and 15 min. from running to on the floor. If I had to I could pull an engine and install one if I had all the nessary parts in a day. Easy. But every engine swap I've done needs things.

krue · 10-20-2003, 02:43 AM

When I was a kid I pulled a six out and dropped a 350 in in about 6 hours. Another 2 hours to fab an exhaust and wiring harness. But I have been working on stuff since I was a kid.

Tx Firefighter · 10-20-2003, 10:09 AM

When I was a line mechanic for the post office I installed 7 to 8 engines a week. That's 5 days- 40 hrs a week.

If the exhaust manifold isn't still warm when the engine hits the floor, you're going slow.

landon4421 · 10-20-2003, 12:13 PM

I have done it all three ways ! with the hood off / with the rad support off / with the front clip off. IMO the easy way is taking the whole front clip off. as stated buy others above.

Just wanted to add my opinion ! GOOD LUCK ! landon

Longhorn Man · 10-20-2003, 04:17 PM

One weekend, you should be OK. I did mine in 2 days, taking my time and painting everything I could...not that you can tell anymore. Paint doesn't stick too well when it is 40 degrees out.

10-19-2003, 02:51 AM	#1
orange72350 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cold, Snowy High Level, Alberta Canada Eh Posts: 394	Grill Removal I want to remove my grill and rad support to slip in an engine and tranny. what is inlvolved in removing these two pieces? big job, or is it something simple? just wanna make it as easy as possilbe to slam in the combo wihtout a ton of work. thanx in advance dale btw, its a 72 gmcif that makes a diff __________________ 2003 yamaha raptor. Stock, but it still hauls!!!! 2000 skiddo mxz 700. Camoplast 1.5 inch track, jaws twin pipes, b+b can, custom built and weighted clutch, wiseco piston, high comp heads. its very fast. wow. 72 c-10 longbox. Bright Orange. Brand new 350, rv cam, performer intake, qjet, headers, 2 1/2 inch exhaust into hooker areo chamber mufflers. Body work coming soon. "dont let yer mind wander, its to little to go places by itself." "Forget the herse, cause i'll never die"-ACDC Back In Black "If It's To Loud, Yer Just Too Old" "I Love Anything Fast Enough To Do Something Stupid In" "Instant idiot, just add beer!!""

10-19-2003, 02:58 AM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	I have never had to pull anything but the hood and radiator out. Just have the tailshaft on the tranny angled down and guide it in. It REALLY helps to have somebody help you guide it all in. What kind of lift are you using? If it won't roll, have your truck so you can roll it forward as you let the engine and tranny down. Take your time and don't let it hang up on anything and you should be OK. Good luck, Krue __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-19-2003, 10:54 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Personally, I like having the sheet metal removed if able to. Sometimes if you don't have the time, then just takign the hood off is fine. (I see no reason to pull the tranny with the engine onless you have to, even then, I'd rather drop it from below) However, if you don't need to drive the truck to work on monday, and you have a place out of site from the street, then removing the entire front clip is the way to go on this IMO. Attached Images

10-19-2003, 11:01 PM	#6
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	you have alot of pictures of engine swaps longhorn man? __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

10-20-2003, 12:17 AM	#8
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Here's a engine swap picture if ya want one. . . Attached Images

10-19-2003, 06:20 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Krue is right on installing the engine. It would be easier to pull the front clip than to try to remove the grill and radator support. In either case you would have to pull the front bumper. The grill is fastened in with supports on both sides and in the middle. The radiator support is bolted to the fenders on both sides and it has two mounts to the frame. The wiring would have to be disconnected, also. With the support removed the fenders would be unsupported. Jim

10-19-2003, 08:56 PM	#4
69C10Atl Trying to stick with it Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atlanta,GA Posts: 115	It shouldn't be to hard to just remove the grill and radiator support. I was able to completely dismantle my front clip in about an hour. Now as for putting it back together I can't help you there mines been dismantles for a year. I do know that you can order complete sets of hardware for the grill installaton and radiator support from "GMC Pauls". It is probably a good idea to at least get the set for the grille installation, many of my smaller screws, for the grille, almost stripped out during removal.

10-19-2003, 11:58 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Not really...not as many as I'd like.

10-20-2003, 12:51 AM	#9
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	here is one for you guys what is the shortest time you have had to swap an engine and did you meet the deadline i am asking because i am looking at buying a 66 burb and using the motor and tranny out of the 71 for it catch is that i have to have the burb ready to be registered on the following monday and i will start this on a friday night __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

10-20-2003, 01:40 AM	#10
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	When i was in college, a friend and I assembled a 6.2L diesel and installed it in his pickup in 1 weekend (87 K-10). Swapping engines (at least for me) is pretty quick and simple to do......I've had lots of practice. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

10-20-2003, 01:55 AM	#11
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	I pulled the engine and trans (250/3 on the tree) out of my 69 in 1 hour and 15 min. from running to on the floor. If I had to I could pull an engine and install one if I had all the nessary parts in a day. Easy. But every engine swap I've done needs things.

10-20-2003, 02:43 AM	#12
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	When I was a kid I pulled a six out and dropped a 350 in in about 6 hours. Another 2 hours to fab an exhaust and wiring harness. But I have been working on stuff since I was a kid. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

10-20-2003, 10:09 AM	#13
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	When I was a line mechanic for the post office I installed 7 to 8 engines a week. That's 5 days- 40 hrs a week. If the exhaust manifold isn't still warm when the engine hits the floor, you're going slow. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-20-2003, 12:13 PM	#14
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	I have done it all three ways ! with the hood off / with the rad support off / with the front clip off. IMO the easy way is taking the whole front clip off. as stated buy others above. Just wanted to add my opinion ! GOOD LUCK ! landon __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

10-20-2003, 04:17 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	One weekend, you should be OK. I did mine in 2 days, taking my time and painting everything I could...not that you can tell anymore. Paint doesn't stick too well when it is 40 degrees out.



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