Hi guys,
I did a search, but didn't come up with anything, so I thought I'd post this. I've removed an engine on a 4th gen by taking out the k-member and x-member bolts, and then lifting the car up from the front bumper supports so the engine slides out on a dolly.

Is this possible on our thirdgens? If I lift somewhere near the radiator I think I'll be fine, but I don't want to tweak the body. I just need to hook some part of the front end to a cherry picker and lift it up about 2-3 feet, slide the engine/tranny under the car, lower it, and then bolt the k-member and x-member in.

Any input?

 

If you drop the engine, you don't have to unbolt anything. Just drop it into place. I'm not really familiar with bringing it in from the bottom but I was under the assumption that people only do that on cars that you can't pull the engine up from. Keep in mind you have to get under the car while situating the engine (to do the bottom four bellhousing bolts), so, to each his own, but dropping it in isn't really that much of a headache.

Also, when I was doing it, I had a heck of a time getting the engine to clear the motor mounts. I can only imagine how fun that would be to do from the bottom, while at the same time keeping the trans bolted to it, and holding both of them up. You'll see what I mean..

 

I can't very well put the engine and transmission in at one time... that takes a lot of work, and tilting of the whole unit to get it to clear the firewall. I've removed and engine and transmission the "normal" way (unbolt engine/tranny, engine up through the top, drop the tranny) and have also removed an engine/tranny out from the bottom (as one unit), and let me tell you, dropping it from the bottom is way easier.

I don't think you understand how to install an engine from the bottom.... and for others who may not know what I'm talking about, here are a few pictures taken from this thread.







You bolt the engine up to the k-member (which you have dropped from the car) put the whole thing (engine/k-mem/transmission) on a dolly, jack up the car, slide the engine under and then lower the car and bolt the k-member and x-member to the car.

So, would lifting our thirdgens like this tweak anything? I don't think so, but for those who have done it, post up.

 

I think you have a different idea of what makes things "easy" than other people.

 

Ok, consider this thread closed. I'll figure it out on my own.

 

FWIW, I've seen pics of it being done in prep for an LS1 engine install. I don't know any particular reason it wouldn't work. But most people do the conventional cherry picker from the top routine. Tilt sling makes life a lot easier.

 

I believe its mandatory to pull an engine on a 4th gen LS1. But optional on a 3rd gen. Id say if ya were running some hella close header tolerances it may be necessary on a third gen. Other wise id do the conventional out the top pull.

 

it seems like it'd be pretty simple, but our cars were designed with the old method in mind. good luck. i think if i was doing a motor swap, and a new k-member, i'd do it your way though.

 

It's way easier to do 4th gen stuff from the bottom, TONS EASIER! Yes you can do a 4th gen from the top actually, it's tough but can be done. Here's some pics of my old SS gettin a new bullet. That's like the 3rd 4th gen I've done what way it's fast and easy. I did my 91 LS1 from the top, but next time I do it, it's going to be from the bottom too just a much cleaner and easier way of doing it all.

 

front wheel drive cars i drop the engine by unbolting the craddle and pulling the motor from the bottom- rear wheel drive trucks and cars i pull through the top