Thread: help pulling motor and tranny out together?

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I would like to remove the front clip of my truck and pull the motor and tranny out together for a number of reasons. does anyone have any lessons learned to help me out? Is there a good way to support the output shaft as it come out from under the cab. I can reposition my rigging once I get out far enough but what to do until then?

Since you are taking the front end off you won't have to go as high probably, but you will still want to tilt the engine/tranny so that the backside comes out from under the tunnel without dragging. If you don't have one of those nifty engine tilters with a crank on it so that you can shift the weight fore and aft (I don't either) simply position your chain triangularly so that the bulk of the weight is on the backside, this will angle the engine down naturally.

You will also want to do something to plug the tailshaft on the tranny otherwise you are going to dump fluid or gear oil all over the place when it gets tilted. They make plastic plugs to do that, or you can use an old front yoke inserted into the transmission.

Have a buddy or two to help you, start lifting and check to see how it is clearing everything and that all your brackets, cables, etc are disconnected. You will probably miss one or two and have to disconnect those as you lift. Once you are up a little start pulling the engine lift back away, and watch to see if you are clearing the trans tunnel and engine mounts. Finally, just pull the lift all the way out and you are done.

Not rocket science, but it takes some patience and muscle.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Since you are taking the front end off you won't have to go as high probably, but you will still want to tilt the engine/tranny so that the backside comes out from under the tunnel without dragging. If you don't have one of those nifty engine tilters with a crank on it so that you can shift the weight fore and aft (I don't either) simply position your chain triangularly so that the bulk of the weight is on the backside, this will angle the engine down naturally.

You will also want to do something to plug the tailshaft on the tranny otherwise you are going to dump fluid or gear oil all over the place when it gets tilted. They make plastic plugs to do that, or you can use an old front yoke inserted into the transmission.

Have a buddy or two to help you, start lifting and check to see how it is clearing everything and that all your brackets, cables, etc are disconnected. You will probably miss one or two and have to disconnect those as you lift. Once you are up a little start pulling the engine lift back away, and watch to see if you are clearing the trans tunnel and engine mounts. Finally, just pull the lift all the way out and you are done.

Not rocket science, but it takes some patience and muscle.

Don

Well the buddy in question is good for his eyes but not his muscle......he's my 8 yr old. I am definitely rethinking due to the weight factor and trying to move the hoist on its 2" steel casters over an aged blacktopped drive. May have to remove them separately.

Is there a good way to get at the top couple of bolts in the bell housing? I went through this last year and would really like to save some hassles. I want to be able to make sure the tranny isn't damaged in the motor swap and that everything is aligned and secure. It would also be nice to do some exhaust work with the engine and trans mated together outside of the truck.

I actually think it is easier to pull them as a unit. I have done it all by myself, the lift does the majority of the work. Besides, you have that 8 year old helper there, never too early to start 'em.

Don

ive only pulled them seperately one time, my first. since then it is almost easier to pull them both connected. also instead of man handling the crane i usually just roll the car back instaed of the crane. it always seems that those dang cranes have a mind of their own and just go left instead of back when i pull it.

If you feel you have to take the trans off first, put a jack under the trans, then remove the trans crossmember. You can then let it sag down a bit so that a sicket with a U-joint can reach the bolts.

However, if you remove the front clip first, it just has to be easier to remove engine and trans at the same time. Just take a close look at what's going to interfere, and attach your hoist chains accordingly.

they also make a equalizer bar that you can adjust to make the engine offset to allow for the transmission,makes it easier to pull when using ur hoist.last time i checked it was around 100 dollars.

Please,please don't let that 8 yr.old get hurt around your truck. Crazy, crazy accidents happen at home. Murphys law applies. If it can happen, it will.

Originally Posted by bamairon

they also make a equalizer bar that you can adjust to make the engine offset to allow for the transmission,makes it easier to pull when using ur hoist.last time i checked it was around 100 dollars.

round $40 from speedway, Harbor freight has them for a little more, but I'd get the better 1 from them ( they sell 2 ) and expect it to perform like the cheaper 1. there weight capacaties on things, always seem to be over rated.

CCB, it ain't Murphy's law that creates those accidents, it's that 8 yr old. Trust me I have one and it's like Ringling Brothers around here. I have to wait til he's in school til I get started for the day. Seriously, I don't want to see or have a kid hurt, but I swear he's the cause of it....

With a cherry picker and a engine tilter it's not that difficult to pull them together, especially with the front sheet metal off....

Originally Posted by Cape Cod Bob

Please,please don't let that 8 yr.old get hurt around your truck. Crazy, crazy accidents happen at home. Murphys law applies. If it can happen, it will.

10 minutes into pulling off the front bumper it happened. I broke the bumper mounting bolts free and let him work on them with the half inch drive rachet. Well the little 42lbs of my 8 year old pulled that handle right into his teeth......
one busted lip, a soda pop and 15 minute trip into the house for some of mom's lovin and he was right back out to the garage. I was surprised to see him back so soon! I asked him about it and he said that he didn't want me to have to work all alone. "Its better to teamwork, Dad."
This oldest boy of mine just keeps impressing me more and more.

Ouch!!! Sounds like you got a tough little buddy there Dad. As a Father of two 36 year olds, I can tell you the fun is just beginning. Enjoy.

Don