Pulling/dropping the eng/trans out of my 3rd gen soon. Whats the best way?
I've dropped them out of a 4th gen a few times and would do it that way again, but this is my first 3rd.
what say you ...
He's right. I've even installed one with a 700R4 hanging on it (that's the hard way in case you were wondering). Just drop the trans, pull the radiator and lift the motor out of the top. Take the hood off to save some headaches. Just put an old blanket on the roof and lay it there. Watch the hood hinges, they can scratch the B pillar if you leave them on the hood (did that once).
I should have stated I'm pulling eng/trans together, 305/T5.
Everyone still think its easier out the top?
yep
Top, I've pulled a SBC/T5 that way a few times and then also LS1/T56! Pulling the balancer off helps some too.
Another trick I've picked up is that you gain some breathing room by pushing the engine lift in from the side instead of the front. With the beaks on these cars it works surprisingly well.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yYnvIuWINB7QXgqf1
Thanks for that pic Chris.
I don't want to be a dumbass and not take everyones advice since I asked for it, but it just seems easier to me to not have to pull any of the engine apart, or wiring up top, or exhaust down below other than disconnecting from the cat.
Remove 6 k-member bolts and trans crossmember and everything just sits there as you lift the body. Obviously all the same hoses, lines, rad have to come out either way.
Someone talk me out of this! lol
I guess maybe the biggest fear I have is scratching the paint on install. This car is being pulled apart for a color change.
People don't do the out-the-bottom thing on 3rd gens very often at all. Perhaps if they're changing the entire front suspension and K-member at the same time they might go bottom side.
I'd go out the top, done it a bunch of times. I wouldn't pull it with the trans though. The engine comes out nice and level without the trans. Once you have it ready to pull, the T5 is only 4 more bolts, and T5s are light.
It's way easier to install the trans with the clutch hydraulics hooked up too since the clutch alignment tools never get it perfect. Get trans up and to get it to slide the last 1/2", have someone push the clutch pedal. Done.
FYI, the engine leveler I have in the picture makes pulling the engine and trans together so much easier. It takes a little time and elbow grease to move it all the way, but that's obviously my opinion.
Also, if you drop the motor out the bottom don't forget the steering, sway bar, whatever those triangle supports are called that go from the crossmember to the frame, and the struts/springs are not coil overs. I might be wrong on this one but it will be a tight fit to get the motor passed the steering box.
Engine leveler is a MUST. While I could see dropping, you have to have the brake lines pre-configured to do that, and deal with the struts and springs.
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