Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

[mrweelr]

So I'm having RPM build me a race motor, upgrading to their SS headers, a GTQ67 BB turbo etc. Working on pulling my 78K stock original motor and I need to know if the engine can be pulled without removing the tranny and/or front diff. I've pulled the trans twice now and am not looking forward to doing it again. From what I can see, the front axle tube is pretty close to the oil pan and I don't see how this is going to just slide out easily. Looking for some advice from those who have previously pulled their motors. I'm wondering if I drop the front diff whether I could just remove the solid mounts and slide the motor forward and up/out of the engine bay? Obviously, I'm going to rent a cherry picker to do this, but need to know what's possible before I go any further. Here are some pics of it as of this afternoon...thanks guys.

 

[jwaller]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

save yourself the hassle. unbolt the eng from the trans and do it the right way. its quicker and easier. it may not seem like it but I've prob done 40 or so now and it's the way I always do it.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Thanks John. You mean, remove the shafts, t-case, and tranny from the truck, right? What about the front diff? It looks like the pan is going to hit that when I move it forward.

 

[Syclone#892]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Well I would say you will be just fine pulling your engine only. I finally put mine back in after like 3 years and I installed the solid mounts and it literally took 5 minutes to put it in, install 2 bellhousing bolts and motor mount bolts. I had help from my brother but he was the cherry picker guy.
To me if there is no reason to pull the tran, aka no problems with trans I would defiantly not worry about it or front diff.

Good luck hope to see your truck back up and running soon.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

I just put the RPM tranny back in about 6 months ago when I installed the billet 9/11 TC that Waller sold me. I really don't want to pull the drivetrain again since there's nothing wrong with it. Is it possible to just undo the TC and bellhousing bolts and slide the motor forward and up/out? I'd almost rather lower the diff and front axle tube over pulling the trans again. Also, how do you handle the fuel lines? I unbolted them, but they seem pretty tight and I don't see how they come out without kinking them.

 

[Syclone#892]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Well I can say I pulled my engine twice and I took just that out, I did not see a reason to do anymore since I was able to get everything out of the way.
Yes all I did was take out the bellhousing bolts and tc bolts and slide the tc back.
The fuel lines I did not have to deal with since I have braided but I believe the steel lines connect on top of the trans area so if ur lucky you could disconnect them there and when you get the engine a little forward wiggle the lines out of your way.

Also if you look at the pics on my webshots page(addy in my sig) you can see when I put mine back in I had the complete front accy, headers,etc on.
I put as much stuff on when before putting engine in because it makes it soo much easier when its on a stand than in the crowded engine bay.

Well I'm going to sleep so I hope I have helped you some and good luck with the project!

 

[sy#2921]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Just support the trans and remove the TC and bellhousing bolts. You should have enough clearance to get the motor pins off the trans without messing with the diff.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

I pulled mine without pulling the tranny. I didn't lower the front differential either.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

I pulled mine without pulling the tranny. I didn't lower the front differential either.

x2, Done three times actually :tup:

 

[PPI Typhoon]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

I'm in the middle of the exact same process. I'm just having problems getting off that bolt to the transfer case brace.........that's a difficult bolt to get to.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Oh man, you guys just made my day...@#*% yeah So the oil pan will clear the axle tube then, cool. Feeling a lot better about this now. This truly has to be one of the most cluttered engine bays in any vehicle ever made. Definitely not a fun project and keeping my A/C isn't making things any easier. I will post more pics in this thread as things progress. Need to go rent an engine hoist and buy a stand. Don't Napa and Pep boys sell engine stands?

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

I'm in the middle of the exact same process. I'm just having problems getting off that bolt to the transfer case brace.........that's a difficult bolt to get to.

I hear that...and definitely not the sort of bolt you want to round off. I use a big ratchet with several long extensions and a swivel socket to get that bolt out. Might also want to soak it with PB Blaster before you try removing it. I use anti-seize on the bellhousing bolts before I put them back in so they aren't so baked in the next time around. Let us know how it goes.

 

[PPI Typhoon]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Oh man, you guys just made my day...@#*% yeah So the oil pan will clear the axle tube then, cool. Feeling a lot better about this now. This truly has to be one of the most cluttered engine bays in any vehicle ever made. Definitely not a fun project and keeping my A/C isn't making things any easier. I will post more pics in this thread as things progress. Need to go rent an engine hoist and buy a stand. Don't Napa and Pep boys sell engine stands?

I just picked up an engine stand from Harbor Freight for $32

Who rents the cherry pickers?

 

[PPI Typhoon]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

I hear that...and definitely not the sort of bolt you want to round off. I use a big ratchet with several long extensions and a swivel socket to get that bolt out. Might also want to soak it with PB Blaster before you try removing it. I use anti-seize on the bellhousing bolts before I put them back in so they aren't so baked in the next time around. Let us know how it goes.

Yeah I've soaked it with PB Blaster for 2 days now. I'm going to go pick up a wobble extension as per the recommendation of George Blake. When I use a universal socket, it just buckles and I can't get a good grip on it.:tdown:

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Damn, that's really cheap. I was thinking more like $100, cool. Can you provide the part number and a link for that stand? I rented an engine hoist from some place up in Fremont a couple years ago...it came in three or four pieces and worked great.

 

[PPI Typhoon]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Damn, that's really cheap. I was thinking more like $100, cool. Can you provide the part number and a link for that stand? I rented an engine hoist from some place up in Fremont a couple years ago...it came in three or four pieces and worked great.

Online it's $37, but here's a link

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32915

 

[4C FED]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Jeremy, there should be a Harbor Freight near you. I know there is one in Newark.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Cool, there is a Harbor Freight in Newark...not too far. I'll give them a call and see if they have that stand in stock. Otherwise, I'll have them order one.

 

[SY2932]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

I'm in the middle of the exact same process. I'm just having problems getting off that bolt to the transfer case brace.........that's a difficult bolt to get to.

I use a *short* 14MM combination wrecnch on my transmission pulls for that one bolt. My craftsman wrench is too long to get up in there. Before I cut a little off the end of it to make it work, I seached in my old tool box and found a wrecnch in there that just fit. That one stays in my tool box all the time now.

 

[nick041881]

Re: Pulling Motor (w/Pics) - Some Questions

Dan- And you wondered why I never put the transfer case brace back on!!!