55.2-59 Pulling an engine/tranny out of a van advice...I know someone has done it??

[1project2many]

Having spent years in an area with a number of vans, then going to work for a fleet with many vans, my advice is run. Run fast. Run far. Just run.

But seriously... This job will be easier if you have a way to lift the body off the subframe. Barring that, it will be much easier if you can raise the van or modify the engine hoist so the lift arm is able to be positioned level with the engine. We modified our engine hoist so the extension in the lift arm doesn't stick out as far. This allows us to get the hoist farther under the engine and chassis. It's also easier if you remove the engine mount bolts that hold the lower mounts to the frame. I've always found it easier to remove the engine separately from the transmission but one of the guys I work with feels exactly the opposite. I find the weight of the transmission tends to cause everything to hang up over and over as the engine comes out through the front.

The computer is under the seat and the wiring harness circles from the driver's side of the firewall down along the subframe then up into the vehicle. Van harnesses are very long which is nice for hotrod projects. I would remove the wiring before the engine to reduce clutter and to prevent wires from getting pinched. You might want to get the under dash harness in order to have extra wires and connectors but much of what passes through the firewall is for gauges, lighting, horn, hvac, and power rather than for the EFI system.

I also like to remove the intake manifold because it allows the lift arm of the engine hoist to be positioned lower before lifting. Run a chain across the engine with only a small amount of slack then connect to the hoist using a short chain. Two or three links usually works well.

In addition to the intake I like to remove accessories from the front and top of the engine. I like having plenty of room and making the engine easier to lift always seems to help. Watch for wires and grounds attached to the back of the engine as well as brackets for fuel lines. GM loves to hide them.

That should be enough to get you thinking...

[Missyblue]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

Having spent years in an area with a number of vans, then going to work for a fleet with many vans, my advice is run. Run fast. Run far. Just run.
..

Haha I seriously opened the hood and said no way but thankfully have a mechanic friend and my dad that says we can do it!! Thanks for the tips they are greatly appreciated. We will be using a cherry picker but the van is mine and can be scrapped so might be cutting things that drive us crazy I guess 😆