Yee haw. I got my engine out, had to push the car up the driveway alone, and take the engine out alone. I had a couple of friends hang around for about an hour, but we didn't make much progress. The real pain for me was that I got the "ledge" of the bellhousing stuck on the power steering ram. But I did it, my first engine pull, I'm proud. Just wanted to share the joy.
Nice. I remember my first engine pull. It truly was a pain, but I think putting the flippin motor back in was more annoying. Anyways, grats on the success David
way to go. are you going to rebuild it yourself? one nice thing about putting it back in is that it's a lot cleaner to work with. then i usually put the engine and tranny as one. i put a floor jack under the tranny and kinda walk it back. then jack it up and put the tranny crossmember in. good luck.
I know first-hand how difficult changing out an engine in the garage by yourself can be. I'm no mechanic, but I've done it. It's MUCH more difficult to do on an EFI engine w/ AOD tranny (IMO). I just got through swapping motors in my '89 Mustang. I asked for help from a local kid who wanted to learn the 'how tos". I gave him the old (running) engine for his help. He was greatful for the engine (plans on putting it in a '70 Ford Truck), and to be exposed to 'grease monkeying'. Just having someone around to hand tools makes the job go by SO much faster. Enjoy the moment while it lasts - remember, you've still gotta put an engine back in! Beg for help when that time comes (for safety's sake if nothing else).
I'll surely have more help when the time comes to put it back in. I managed to crush my right hand between the block and the belly bar when the engine slipped on the chains. No broken bones, just some cuts and bruises, and a whole lot of swearing. I'm attaching some pics of my workspace and my loot.
Oh, and Don: I am buying a long block from TRE Performance, but I plan to do the rest of the assembly on my own. I've already started accumulating parts for the 86-95 Mustang 5.0 HO swap. My 80,000 mile original engine is going to the first person who come picks the darned thing up when I'm through.
First engine I ever pulled on my own was in a 61 Falcon. Pulled a blown 170 and installed a good one. Used a tree limb and a chain fall. Talk about shade tree mechanic. I thoroughly enjoyed it...and still do.
Yep, I too remember those days. The hydraulic cherry pickers were not around. did have a place that rented out a three legged tepee looking contraption with chain hoist. Those were the good old days, so they say.
I did not pull my first motor alone but I could have. It was out of an 83 VW Rabbit. The thing was so small, another friend and I were able to lift it out with our bare hands like it was a heavy bag of groceries.
Got the engine on the stand today, gotta clean the garage up before my parents return from vacation tomorrow! They'll never know.
I know what ya mean I never had/do have any one to teach me or help me do anything ( home by myself alot ) so needless to say I had no help pulling the 250 out of the mav no help pulling the 302 out of the LTD or any help putting the 302 in the mav ( thank god I did my math or I would have used the wrong flexplate ) but its still fun alot better than PS2
you guys need to get married. when i'm putting the motor in or need a helping hand i just call on the wife. she's a retired nuclear electrician, worked on subs etc., and she doesn't mind getting dirty.
Yup, my wife helps me when I need an extra hand. When I ask her to help me with something her first words are" if you yell at me I'm going back in the house" and it usually goes downhill from there lol. But I must admit, sometimes she has seen things in different ways and in the end it has been a better way. I remember my first engine pull well, total shade tree,, didnt think the tree had enuff strength so I took the head off and anything else I could...56 chevy. Tried to put a V8 back in it but didnt have all the right mounts. My Dad got mad and made me put it back together the way it was lol. Wasnt funny then, but makes me laugh now. Dan
Thats a riot. It amazes me that I could have my buddies do something stupid that will crack us up, but let the wife do it, and the shouting match began. I then learned a way to do it myself. Its called divorce.
i went that route with the first wife. this one will yell back at me. bad part is she's usually right. guess she's a keeper. (22 years so far) did i mention she told me to order a new $650 carb today so i'd have it when i get back from virginia.
