Easiest way to stab motor??

[Fastest32]

I'm hoping to install my 250 this weekend. Weather permitting. I had the head off the motor when I pulled it and was barely able to get it over the core support. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to pull the hood, but how much of a pain is it to remove that core support and grille? The other question is can I stab that motor in the transmission with the trans in place or should I back the trans up and install it after? It's a sm420 trans with the bell housing mounts.

[slorio]

Fastest:
Easiest way is to pull the front end. Couple mounts at the bottom of the radiator support. Couple of bolts at the top of the inner fenders to the firewall one each side. One bolt at the bottom of each fender. Few bolts on the cover over the steering column on the inner fender. Unplug the wires at the firewall and with an assistant, lift off the front end.

See picture attached.
Regards,
Steve

[Fastest32]

Wow. I always see trucks with the whole front section off but figured it was a major job. I'll take your word for it.

[dougf]

From a guy that just did this, it really is this easy. Very few mounting points to get the front clip off as one unit.

[cg285]

oh my! don't even think of pulling off the sheet metal. never turn any bolts you don't have to. and don't take the hood off either. here is a trick that is worth your subscription price:
take the front bolts (only) out of the hood (to the hinge), raise the hood up a bit and put a short 2x4 between the hood and hinge on each side. done! you don't have to deal with taking the hood off and realigning it later.
leave the transmission where it is and put it in gear to align the clutch

[PGSigns]

Easy way is to pull the hood. Take a 1/8 drill bit and wrap it with tape and leave about 3/8" exposed. Drill a single hole between both bolts on each hinge where it is bolted to the hood. Pull the hood and have all the room you need. When you put the hood back on line the drilled holes up with a scribe and tighten the bolts. Hood is right back to where it was.
Jimmy

[cg285]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Easy way is to pull the hood. Take a 1/8 drill bit and wrap it with tape and leave about 3/8" exposed. Drill a single hole between both bolts on each hinge where it is bolted to the hood. Pull the hood and have all the room you need. When you put the hood back on line the drilled holes up with a scribe and tighten the bolts. Hood is right back to where it was.
Jimmy

that will work but it takes time and effort. my method takes about 15sec each way and no lifting, storing, scratching paint...

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

I Take Front Wheels Off and set On Ground just enough to Clear Engine Host under A Arms beats all That Labor.. I've Done Thounds This way

[Fastest32]

Hmmmm lots of good ideas.

[Fastest32]

Originally Posted by cg285

oh my! don't even think of pulling off the sheet metal. never turn any bolts you don't have to. and don't take the hood off either. here is a trick that is worth your subscription price:
take the front bolts (only) out of the hood (to the hinge), raise the hood up a bit and put a short 2x4 between the hood and hinge on each side. done! you don't have to deal with taking the hood off and realigning it later.
leave the transmission where it is and put it in gear to align the clutch

I don't think my hoist will go high enough to clear the core support. I'm gonna have a load leveler too.

[slorio]

Well folks, with the front end out of the way, I pulled engine, bellhousing and tranny in one fell swoop and put them back in the same way by myself. Also, was able to clean and paint firewall (did you see that medium fawn metallic), bellhousing, frame rails, underside of cab, etc. Here's a picture of it going back in with my high tech 2X2 that I used to "steer" it into place on the way down.

I guess it all depends on what kind of job you are looking for.
regards,
Steve

[joedoh]

agreed, it only took 15 minutes to remove the clip and an hour total to remove the motor. access with the clip off is crazygonuts and the hoist never went over 10 degrees.

[cg285]

Originally Posted by Fastest32

I don't think my hoist will go high enough to clear the core support. I'm gonna have a load leveler too.

i guess if you can't lift the eng high enough, or rent/buy a cherry picker that can....
i never used a leveler. don't know anyone that does

[cg285]

i'm just blown away that anyone would actually take the front clip off to take the engine out. anyone doing that wouldn't last 10 minutes at the dealership or in any garage i know. but then it's your truck and your time. getter done :-)

[Fastest32]

Originally Posted by cg285

i'm just blown away that anyone would actually take the front clip off to take the engine out. anyone doing that wouldn't last 10 minutes at the dealership or in any garage i know. but then it's your truck and your time. getter done :-)

I took the engine out with everything together. Spent 10 years making money at the chevy dealer. I'm not trying to beat warranty time and plan on doing it alone. Figured the leveler would make things a lot easier. I've pulled plenty of motors at work without one too. I like the idea of pulling the whole front clip and getting some painting done while I'm at it too.

[cg285]

Originally Posted by Fastest32

I took the engine out with everything together. Spent 10 years making money at the chevy dealer. I'm not trying to beat warranty time and plan on doing it alone. Figured the leveler would make things a lot easier. I've pulled plenty of motors at work without one too. I like the idea of pulling the whole front clip and getting some painting done while I'm at it too.

that's a whole 'nother deal. i happen to be doing that right now but not to just pull the engine. doing body work, painting inner fenders, cutting in the sheet metal....

[cg285]

now that i digested your post. can we get a video of you pulling the clip alone?
hahaha

[Fastest32]

Originally Posted by cg285

now that i digested your post. can we get a video of you pulling the clip alone?
hahaha

Hilarious

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by cg285

can we get a video of you pulling the clip alone?

I would use the hoist, hooked to the hood latch. its very front heavy.

[Fastest32]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I would use the hoist, hooked to the hood latch. its very front heavy.

I may try that. I have a few buddies on stand by in case I need a hand but I'd rather knock it out alone.

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by cg285

i'm just blown away that anyone would actually take the front clip off to take the engine out. anyone doing that wouldn't last 10 minutes at the dealership or in any garage i know. but then it's your truck and your time. getter done :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4em8_iu-Tw

The question was what's the easiest not the fastest. Your right, a lot of us wouldn't make it 10 minutes at a dealership. With my bad back and aching joints I don't mind a few extra steps to make the rest of the job easier. I am going to pull the front end when I change out my engine sometime in the near future. With it off I can get at eye level with everything I need work on. I also think it will be way easier to put the next motor in with a straight shot.

[awbrown]

By far the fastest easiest way to "stab an engine"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCfRr7skgpw

[cg285]

Originally Posted by awbrown

By far the fastest easiest way to "stab an engine"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCfRr7skgpw

at this point i would expect someone on this forum to take that to heart. hahaha

[Fastest32]

I got the whole clip loose and ready to remove. Just gotta get a buddy to help me in the morning. The bottom of the fenders were tack welded to the body cause the bolts rusted and broke off. Just about as easy as everyone said.

[cooperhw]

Well the easiest way is to pay someone else to do it for you. Since you are asking the question I assume you want to do it yourself and the guys who are giving you advice are like me and have done many over the years. I personally drill the small 1/8 holes thru the hood hinge and the bottom side of the hood and put strips of masking tape to show the edge where the hood meets the hinge that way it's easier to get close and then align with the smooth side of the drill bit used to poke the hole.
Much easier to mount the engine and trans as a unit with the front clip off, but have done em both ways over the years. Marrying up the two is easier outside on the ground as opposed to underneath the truck, grunting, straining, cussing, etc. etc. How much help you got? That also factors in. I do most of my stuff by myself so you try to get as much done before it's hanging in position.