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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: gwcrim on March 29, 2016, 05:10:40 pm

Title: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on March 29, 2016, 05:10:40 pm
I've done many, many engine pulls but all in cars, never a truck.  I'll be replacing the engine and trans.  Do I pull them together or take the trans out from under? 

The radiator support is pretty high.  Would your average engine lift be able to get tailshaft high enough? 

What about on the way back in? 
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: VileZambonie on March 29, 2016, 05:21:01 pm
What are we working on? YMMET
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on March 29, 2016, 07:34:28 pm
Oh, that.  1980 C10.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: CDog86 on March 29, 2016, 09:07:27 pm
I have an 86 K10 so it is 4x4 (has a transfer case) on the back of a 700r4 and I just pulled my engine with trans after I took out transfer case. It worked just fine with a normal cherry picker.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on March 30, 2016, 07:28:36 pm
Larry my transmission guy recommended pulling the trans first.  I kinda like that idea. 

What are the tricks to pulling an auto trans without spilling 30-40 gallons of trans fluid?   :o
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: square81 on March 30, 2016, 08:08:33 pm
To not spill it everywhere get a plug to fit the tail stock I've used an old drive shaft yoke. My go to is a couple of plastic bags and a ton of duck tape.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on March 30, 2016, 08:55:10 pm
i've always just pulled the engine only.  i use a cheap, horror freight type hoist and it clears the radiator support with no real problems.

If you don't need to replace the trans, then i would leave it.  But if you're more comfortable with taking them both out at the same time, fine.  The cheap engine hoists should be able to lift the engine and trans clear of the rad support.


What i REALLY would like is to have an A-frame gantry with overhead hoist:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200356723_200356723

Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: bcstingray on March 31, 2016, 07:22:02 pm
I took my radiator support out on my 73 and pulled the 6 cylinder motor and trans out without removing the hood. Replaced the 350 with auto trans attached. Didn't have to lift very high.

(http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y449/bcstingray/20160319_131750_zpsgyoumquw.jpg) (http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/bcstingray/media/20160319_131750_zpsgyoumquw.jpg.html)
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on March 31, 2016, 08:19:59 pm
That's the way you do it!
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: 76LongBox on March 31, 2016, 10:29:16 pm
I have the AC Delco Engine Hoist and leveler from Oreilly Auto Parts.  It barely had enough reach to pull the engine and transmission together out of my '76 GMC 2WD...but it did work.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on April 04, 2016, 10:36:34 pm
I have the AC Delco Engine Hoist and leveler from Oreilly Auto Parts. .

That's the same basic equipment I'll have.  I'm still giving serious thought to pulling the trans first.  I can see fluid spilling all over the place as the engine/trans dangles stuck over the radiator support.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on April 05, 2016, 07:18:56 am
I have the AC Delco Engine Hoist and leveler from Oreilly Auto Parts. .

That's the same basic equipment I'll have.  I'm still giving serious thought to pulling the trans first. I can see fluid spilling all over the place as the engine/trans dangles stuck over the radiator support.

Mmmmmm........not really, not much if any if you drain it thoroughly before lifting it.

Another thing i do is if the engine that is coming out needs to be rebuilt anyways, i will take it apart----intake, heads etc. down to the short block while it's still in the truck.  Makes it easier to pull it
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on April 05, 2016, 09:53:46 pm
Other than pulling the pan and making a huge mess, how do you thoroughly drain an automatic?
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gunrac on April 06, 2016, 07:04:48 am
To not spill it everywhere get a plug to fit the tail stock I've used an old drive shaft yoke. My go to is a couple of plastic bags and a ton of duck tape.

Pretty good advice........floor dry, 10.00.........just sayin
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: fitz on April 08, 2016, 06:19:07 pm
Other than pulling the pan and making a huge mess, how do you thoroughly drain an automatic?
I bought a vacume pump from West Marine.  It's used to change the oil on boats by sucking the oil through the dipstick.  It works great on transmissions.  I paid $50 for it over 20 years ago. It was money well spent.

Edit: the brand name was Topsider. $45 at Northern tools.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: Irish_Alley on April 09, 2016, 07:25:44 am
this is kind of what we have
1500cc (about 50 fluid ounces)
http://www.toolsource.com/automotive-fluid-filler-extraction-syringe-1500cc-p-147048.html
(http://www.toolsource.com/prod_medium/147048.jpg)
or
200cc (about 7 fluid ounces)
http://www.toolsource.com/automotive-fluid-filler-extraction-syringe-200cc-p-147047.html
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: Dr_Snooz on April 09, 2016, 02:29:10 pm
I have the AC Delco Engine Hoist and leveler from Oreilly Auto Parts.  It barely had enough reach to pull the engine and transmission together out of my '76 GMC 2WD...but it did work.

The smaller AC Delco hoist did not work on my 454. The 454 weighs ~700#, and I couldn't extend the boom far enough to reach where it needed to. Then I couldn't raise it high enough to clear the engine bay. The larger 2-ton hoist was adequate.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on April 10, 2016, 08:13:11 am
i guess in a pinch you could call a tow truck with boom?
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on April 30, 2016, 12:18:11 pm
The engine is out, pulled with trans attached.  I used a good hoist and adjustable cradle.  Easy as pie.

New question.  I bought beautiful urethane motor mounts.  Is there any easy way to get the old ones off the frame?  The nuts underneath are pretty well hidden.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on April 30, 2016, 12:39:21 pm
OK, got them off.  To the guy who designed these motor mounts:   >:(

Now.  If I take the transmission lines off the trans, will lots fluid run out?
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: LTZ C20 on April 30, 2016, 12:43:17 pm
Yep, use a drain pan, trans fluid is a PITA the clean up.
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: gwcrim on April 30, 2016, 01:31:24 pm
I got a tail plug and that helped immensely.  I have a 200-4R to put in.  Wonder if the lines will swap?
Title: Re: engine pull
Post by: Blazin on May 01, 2016, 06:53:56 am
Not sure how pulling the pan makes a huge mess? drop on end of the pan down let it run out. Keep loosening bolts to let more run out that end. Once the last few bolts are still in most of the fluid is drained. Push the pan up, pull the last few bolts, lower the pan down, dump it in the drain pan. Let it drain for a little bit, put the pan back on.
I would leave the trans in the truck if you are replacing it. Just pull the motor, then put the motor back in that you are using.