Getting ready to pull my 351W. Help.

Roscoe · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 06:10 PM

When you have an engine stand like this it's easy to work on and re-mount the drivetrain.

Roscoe

Dwight · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 06:33 PM

I have an engine lift that I have modified to pull the motor out of a Cobra from the front. I have extended the arm, re-inforced the wheel and add 120 pounds of lead to counterbalance the motor. This lift has pulled maybe a hundred motors. Most of the time with the trannie but a few times without. It's a little easier to install with the trannie but not much. We just installed a 427 in Lainhart's Unique without removing the trannie. It was easy. If two people have pulled a few motors together, it does not take long to install one. We use a engine lever and rig so the chain does not hit the body above the firewall, just in front of the windshield. Lots of towels on the fenders and the front of the car is great insurance. We have never had a problem. Go slow and talk to each other.
I have never pulled one from the side and would not do so.
Dwight

Blittleton · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 08:26 PM

Don,

Are you pulling the motor and trans by yourself? I have installed and removed motors by myself and I have pulled trans and left the trans on. It is what you feel most comfortable with. Please pull the hood off and have as much room as you need. T-5 trans are lighter than most I've pulled, so remove it first if you need to. Hint, if pulling the motor and trans together, use a floor jack under your trans while pulling both motor and trans. this will allow you to move the unit together with more ease, instead of dragging it on the garage floor.

Bill

jshel1 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 09:36 PM

I have a couple of videos of in and out on my web page. They were made for fun and not meant to be instructional, but you may be able to pick up something from viewing them and the photos.

Strongly suggest removing transmission and hood.
You will need a more specialized lift to come from the front. Side has always worked very well for T.I.T/T.E.E.T (Install/Extraction

).
Best to have another person to help stabilize/crank/roll the lift.

We always have a large group and make a party out of it.

donraye · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 09:41 AM

OK all, I had decided on doing the pull the way Bob Cowan and Clois Harlan have advised by simply prying the bellhousing off the engine and pulling the engine as a separate unit.
But then when all was decided at last some other guys said that I would have a LOT of trouble mating the bellhousing back to the new engine when it came time to do the install with it still in the car. @(_^$@#^(+! So now I have no idea what to do AGAIN!
Would anyone please chime in here about the mating of the engine back up to the bellhousing with the bellhousing/clutch/tranny still in the car/frame? I need to get this done soon and really need your help with this newest wrinkle in the plan.
Thanks, Don

Dwight · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 10:14 AM

Don,
use a plastic $8 clutch alignment tool to align your clutch plate so it will make installing the trannie easier. You need to put a yoke in the rear of the trannie to keep the fluid from leaking out and you can turn the yoke to help align the trannie gears with the splines in the clutch as you reinstall the motor. Sometime everything is lined up and it snaps together and sometime it's difficult. Pulling the motor with or without the trannie will work and you don't what is the easy till you finish. If you have someone to help, it will make it a lot easier.

Do it your way and next time you will have the experience to do it different if you want to.

Have fun

It a hobby and should be fun, most of the time.

See ya on the road

Dwight

jshel1 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 09:22 PM

Don,

I second Dwight. You NEED the clutch alignment tool definitely.

With a seasoned pilot bearing already in place and no change of either block or bell housing, the transmission will mate with the clutch like butter. There transmission and bell housing will go together with a nice clap. I seasoned my pilot bearing on a virgin install and it was as described above... NO cinching down of bolts between bell housing and tranny necessary, none.

In fact, we (TIT) have never installed one already mated... always transmission in first, then engine.
Also, remove the hood & go from the side.