Engine Removal - Easy Question for Someone

[rdkuffel]

Hello,

I am getting ready to swap my old SBC for a rebuilt one in my 1971 K10. I'm looking for the easiest way to remove and reinstall the engine?

• Remove engine and transmission together?
• Disconnect transmission from driveline, move transmission toward rear to separate from engine?
• Leave transmission in place, unbolt engine from transmission, move engine forward and up to remove? Can I do the reverse for install?
• Other?

I do have a cherry picker and a manifold plate for removal. I'm also wondering how to align the transmission to engine spindle(shaft?) when reassembling. Any other tips/advice you would like to share would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your help, I've never done this before.

Rob K.

[Slowtruk]

We like to remove the engine and trans as a unit, just have to have someone help you swing it out, and then back in. Otherwise you have to fight the bell housing bolts.

If you break the engine and trans apart, there is no special way of mating them back together. Just wiggle the engine around until you can start putting bolts thru the trans again.

If you leave the trans in, no need to loosen it from the frame or driveline. Just remove the bell housing bolts and the motor mounts, (and all other accessories) and with your cherry picker, jerk the engine up and out. Install is the reverse. Transmission can stay in its place

[harnalien]

I separated the engine from the tranny both times and it wasn't too bad. That way you don't have to worry about getting the tranny back in place and all the linkage, etc.
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[litew8]

Together for sure. Check my build thread for pictures.
Make absolutely sure you have strong enough hardware and that it is all in good working condition before starting.
A while back someone posted that they dropped their engine 3 feet off the ground because their hardware snapped. Don't be that guy.
You can do it with 2 people, but 3 people and some beer is always better - especially for the reverse (install of both simultaneously).

My younger Brother doesn't like the manifold plate for lifting/pulling.
Route an appropriate grade chain/bolts to two corners of the heads if possible.

[lilpoindexter]

I like to remove the trans, so I don't have to angle the engine so much when I pull it out of the hole. To put them back together, wiggle, grunt and cuss, until they line up...make sure the torque converter is all the way back if its an auto. It is a little easier to put the engine trans together outside of the car, but it's doable in the car/truck.

[cdowns]

i like to pull engine and tranny as a unit// i've been doing it that way for so long it is just easier and faster for me to do it that way

[usmcchevy]

2WD=engine and trans together.
4x4, Just the engine.

[sierra4x4]

If its a manual trans then I would pull engine and trans together but if its auto then just pull the engine. If your truck was 2wd then I would always just pull both together.

[RanchFlyer]

Engine only. I also vote for the engine lift plate that bolts to the carb. pad. Remember, bolts for the lifting device aren't strong unless tightened( sheer vs tension). If you do decide to leave the trans a long extension and wobble can get all of the engine to trans bolts easily. Lastly make sure the trans mount is healthy if you leave it in. It can be a real pain to put it all back together with the trans flopping around.

[rdkuffel]

Thank you all for the great advice & tips! I'll post how it went when I get it done (hopefully this weekend). Have a great Thanksgiving.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by rdkuffel

Thank you all for the great advice & tips!

Heres another; no matter how much fun Ron White makes it sound, don’t stick your pecker in a toaster.

[rdkuffel]

Originally Posted by Gumby

Heres another; no matter how much fun Ron White makes it sound, don’t stick your pecker in a toaster.

So noted - that was a close call.

[storm9c1]

For a 2 wheel drive, I use a 2-ton shop crane, yank the engine and trans together, 2 chains at 4 corners of the heads on both sides. A load leveler is the saving grace. But you need the height of a 2-ton. And of course at least 2 people, and better with 3.

[C-10 simplex]

My personal vote is engine only and i've only done it that way.


1) There is a special wrench available that can make the engine-to-trans bolts easy to remove/install. Available from sears ,among other places. If you can remove these bolts rather easily, then i don't see why taking the engine and trans out together makes sense?

2) In my opinion, there isn't a whole lot of room in the front(the area between the front of the engine and the front of the truck. So strike 2 against engine and trans together. If it were a monte carlo or v-6 camaro then maybe.

[Vintage Windmills]

Just removed the engine only from my 72 k20 last night. Was a little tricker than I thought to get it off the trans shaft and clear the front crossmember. Had to remove the starter and still managed to bend the dipstick tube on the power brake booster. I also put a thumbnail sized dent in the firewall of cab jacking the trans up some. I am a rookie at pulling these though. If I could do it again, I'd take the trans with it. A 2WD would be easier to remove engine only I'd think. Removing bolts from engine to trans was easy with a swivel socket and 30 inches of 3/8 extensions! Removable high hump also is the best thing ever. Hard part was slipping off and out but maybe removeing front crossmember would help.