Is it better to go from the top or the bottom? I plan on doing a heads/cam so I think it would be best if the motor came out of the car. If so, should we take it out from the top or the bottom? Can it be done in a day? Please tell me your experiences with doing this.

 

for heads/cam, leave the motor in! It is a huge pain in the buttocks to take out. You have enough clearance to do the stated upgrades with the motor in the car. I am going heads/cam this spring, and I have already had the motor out three times, if I don't have to yank it out, trust me I wont! I did out the top twice, and bottom once. Bottom was a little easier, but you have to have a hoist. With no hoist, it goes out the top and is a real pain. It can be done though! I took the tranny out with it, as I figured it would be easier.

 

Its only 6 bolts to take the k-member loose from the frame, and 4 to take the transmission support bracket off. Aside from the brake lines and electrical connections it was easy, I did it with a pair of 3ft. jackstands and a couple of 3 ton hi-lift floor jacks. I'm swapping engines so I had no choice. For cam/heads its fairly easy to do in the car.

 

from the top is how i always do it never tried from the bottom but i unbolt trans cross member let trans hang get about 12" of extensions the radiator,fans motormounts and hood did mine a new best of 6 hours with messing around singing and throwing snowballs

 

I pulled mine through the top. It's easier than people make it seem.

for heads/cam swap though, i'd just leave it in there.

 

Its not that hard from the top jus takes a lil more time.

 

And what about the reinstall?

 

I am doing mine from the top right now i am pulling the motor tommarrow everything is ready to go i will post pics. I also bought the Happy Hooker from TPIS it is a hook tha mounts to the top of your engine. I will let you know how it works.

 

U will have 2 install the intake with the motor in the car.

 

Removing it from the bottom is easier.Here is step by step instructions to removing an engine from the bottom,by Dreamer1q.

http://www.michiganspeed.com/enginepull/index.html

 

With the Happy Hooker ya pull the engine COMLETE minus the front accessories. The only hard bolt is the 3rd up on the drivers side for the bell housing.Leave the lines on the air cond and just lay it in the frame. Saves money not to have to recharge.

 

I pulled it from the top without too much drama, and I am a novice wrench. Pulled it complete with the transmission. You have to unhook a lot of stuff. Not very hard, just time consuming.

One goofy thing to be careful about. I broke the oil pressure sending unit when the engine was coming out. I believe it got caught on the trim under the windshield. It's just a plastic little sensor.

No matter which way you pull the motor, go nice and slow as you are pulling it out. The only thing I had missed was the power steering line. Since we went nice and slow I saw it before it was broken.

If all goes well you should end up looking like this.........look on the bottom of the page.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/634484/2

 

Did the same thing myself. I didn't even know it was back there until I pulled the motor. Don't laugh about me not knowing it was back there I'd only had the car for a week.

 

Bottom is easier by eleventy billion times.

Rich

 

I agree go bottom. Just leave the wheels on and you can roll it around too