engine swap best practices?

[vince311]

Looks like I'll be swaping my engine is the coming weeks.

1) Wondering if it is best to pull the hood?
2) is the radiator support removable? or is even necessary?
3) Can I leave the inner fenders in?

thanks

[choptop]

Definately remove the hood.
2) the core support is removable, but it is easier to just remove the whole front clip. Its not necassary to do either one in order to swap engines. I normally do, but that is because I clean and paint the front end frame rails. Plus, I am more of a gorilla thana monkey, so pulling the front clip off makes it lot easier for me. Like I said, its not necassary.
3) same as no.2 They can stay where they are

[Lt.Del]

remove Da Hood.  Mark in yellow chalk or something the outline of the hood hinges on the hood so when you place it back on, you can line it up quickly, instead of all the trial and error of tightening the bolts, closing the hood, seeing it is off, raising the hood, loosening the bolts, moving the hood adjustment, etc, etc..

Also, I do not remove the radiator support. 

a piece of advice, if you have a digital camera, take pics of everything, every step.  Vacuum line routes, wires, throttle hookup, tranny kickdown, heater hoses, etc

take masking tape and mark wires, lines, etc.

get some ziplock bags and put radiator bolts in one, alternator bolts in another, starter bolts in another, trans bolts in another, etc...get a black sharpie and write on the ziplock bags.

www.delbridge.net/install

   

[choptop]

Thanks for the catch there Sgt, I was gonna mention marking the hood to make sure you get it realigned right. Picts and baggies are very good idea

[vince311]

thanks gents!

[zieg85]

I get a cardboard box and poke holes and thread the bolts in then mark the box with a sharpe.  I arrange the bolts like the box is a front clip, just another way...

[78 Chevyrado]

I'd pull the whole front clip if you have paint worth worrying about.  Unhook all the wiring and the whole clip should come off with 10 or 12 bolts.  just take photos and make sure the body shims go back like they were.  Take many photos.

[Blazin]

I just pull the hood. I also use coffee cans, they are a bit more durable than baggies. Plus you can just toss a note inside as to what the bolts etc. are for.

[Lt.Del]