first time pulling a motor...advice please bros

[Drewski23]

Hey guys,

I have a 69 short bed with a 350. I want to remove my motor to paint the block and to por-15 the frame (just up to the cab for now). The entire front clip is off right now as well as the pumps and manifolds..just my bare motor sittin in the frame. I cant pull the transmission with it right now, because im doing it under my carport and there's no room.

So with that being said how should i go about this...Should i support the transmission with a jack and wood blocks while i am unbolting it from the motor? do i need to be supporting the engine while i am unbolting it from the trans? sorry for the novice questions ive just never done this before.

Im also going to take the cross member out to have it sandblasted after i pull the motor..so if anyone has pointers with that or can tell me how the studs are removed for the upper control arm i would be grateful..thanks alot

[70blackfish]

pull motor and trans together. straight out the front....

[leftybass209]

It's possible, but I'd think you would have a heck of a time lining up the engine and transmission when putting it back in, seeing as you have little room as you've said. The transmission isn't that heavy so a jack stand and wood blocks would suffice, as long as kids aren't running around your truck. Is it lowered at all? Mine needed to be jacked up a little as it has 2.5 drop spindles, and it was hard to maneuver the engine hoist around as needed. Good luck!

[Sklptrljay]

If you can pull them together it will make your life a LOT easier. If not, the motor mounts will keep it steady while loosening the tranny, obviously you need a hoist attached to lift it after you unbolt everything.

You can remove the entire front crossmember/ suspension, but remember most of it is under an engine and not easy to see.

I don't assume your building a show truck under a carport. A wire wheel, engine cleaner, and some elbow grease may give you what your looking for without deconstucting your truck.

[Drewski23]

to respond to the last 2 posts...its already on jack stands with the entire front suspension/steering and brakes removed...sorry i did not mention this in the first post. i really dont think ill have room to pull the transmission out with it...

so i should

1)support the transmission

2) put some tension on the motor with the hoist and begin unbolting?

and actually sklptrjay thats what i am planning on doing!...for now...ill be getting my own place soon with a garage..i still live at home!

[slow-1]

Yes, put a jack under the pan of the trans with a piece of wood in between. Doesn't have to have much pressure on it.

I leave the top 2 bell housing bolts in until I have the jack under the trans and the hoist hooked to the chain and firm, then you can pull the last two bolts and out she comes.

It will be easier than you can imagine.

Is your truck straight or auto trans?

[slow-1]

Oh yeah,one other thing.

There are two dowels that line up the block to the bell housing so to get them apart lift the motor just off the motor mounts then move engine forward about 2 inches.

Sometimes this is a wrestling match for a few minutes and a good pry bar can come in handy.

[cdowns]

it wood really depend on what type transmission you have to b able to give you the best advise

[Longhorn 70]

I recently did this on my 70. I had a BB Olds in it with a 700r4. I was putting in a SBC. soooo...

Made sure everything including mounts, fuel lines, starter, exhaust and wiring was disconnected but not bell housing.

Drained fluids and removed Radiator. Remember to plug fuel line(s).

Lifted the motor about 2" off of the mounts.

Made a tubular mount that fit between the frame rails to slide under the front of the transmission. (this was a thin walled piece of 1"x2" steel tube.)

Lowered the engine down until trans sat on the tube I put in. (I did this because the truck sits in the drive and it was going to be a week until I could install the SBC. My HOA would have freaked otherwise)

Unbolted torque converter and bell housing from engine.

Lifted engine slightly, pulling forward and a few taps with a mallet, and a gentle wiggle of the engine. The engine was loose and on its way out.

[goose_on_fire]

Originally Posted by Longhorn 70

Unbolted torque converter and bell housing from engine.

Yeah, don't forget this part. First time I did this, I missed a couple bolts on the torque converter somehow, and when I hoisted the engine something in the transmission gave and it bled out all over the garage floor... fond memories.

[MARKDTN]

If you can pull them together it will make your life easier. If you don't, you will end up fighting the motor mounts going back in. It is much easier to mate the bellhousing to the block with them on the ground.

If you just can't, then yes, a wooden block and a jack will hold the trans up just fine.

[Drewski23]

Originally Posted by cdowns

it wood really depend on what type transmission you have to b able to give you the best advise

Originally Posted by slow-1

Is your truck straight or auto trans?

i have a 3 speed column shift

[slow-1]

Straight drive is a little harder to do, but you can still do it...if you dont move the truck and dont turn the crank while its out it will theoretically slide right back in.

But even if things get out of line its not that bad to get it done...you can burn that bridge when you come to it.
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[Drewski23]

thank you, im going to check the measurements to see if i can get it out with the transmission on

[slow-1]

One way or another you should be able to get enough room to do it...after all, you did drive the truck to where it is.
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[motorcritter]

The manual trans is short enough, you should be able to get it out as one unit. If you've got room to roll the hoist out with the engine and you've got the front end stripped, you can pretty much wheel that mess around to where you want it. I'd you're going to separate them, lift the engine slightly before supporting the trans- gives you some room when going back in. Also, I've had luck with'locking' the clutch pedal down, so as to install the input shaft easier, it can be a rotten job, if you've created obstacles during your removal. I will probably tear down the sheet metal for the next engine swap I do- I'm too old and creaky to be getting all flexible with it.
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