Engine Removal

geordie · Jan 12, 2004

I'm planning to remove the engine from my 65 coupe this winter for an engine bay clean up. Available space is very restricted, can't do it in the street or on my garage drive (it's too steep), can't do it in the door area of my garage as the hoist will foul the door.

Question: Is it possible to remove the engine, just the engine, with the hoist at the side of the car and the hood removed?

351LX · Jan 12, 2004

I have removed engines from the side of a car, but when I built my engine hoist I put 6 swivel casters under it so it rolls in any direction.As long as you have the car raised high enough that the front legs can move unobstructed you shouldn't have a problem.Remember too that on most hoists the engine gets closer to you the higher you lift because of the arc of the boom so make sure you have clearance between the hoist and the fender as you might have to push the hoist inwards a bit as you lift.

dodgestang · Jan 12, 2004

geordie said:
I'm planning to remove the engine from my 65 coupe this winter for an engine bay clean up. Available space is very restricted, can't do it in the street or on my garage drive (it's too steep), can't do it in the door area of my garage as the hoist will foul the door.

Question: Is it possible to remove the engine, just the engine, with the hoist at the side of the car and the hood removed?

Given your obvious logistical problems, allow me to point out that with the judiscious use of plastic, tape, and time spent properly installing them, you can degrease, repaint and detail the engine bay with the motor in it.

Edbert · Jan 12, 2004

Ummm...why not roll it out of the garage, pull the mill, then roll it back in?

Your ability to pull it from the side is good though, the fenders are barely any higher than the radiator support after all.

geordie · Jan 12, 2004

I understand how to disassemble the engine, removing all the accessories, carb. etc. I've read the excellent threads that have been posted on the site on the subject of engine removal as well as information in one or two restoration books. I still need to understand the process for disconnecting my manual gearbox prior to engine removal. Any information or write up would be appreciated.

SuperDave · Jan 12, 2004

I'd remove the engine in a more suitable location and then tow the car back to your garage. Trying a sideways removal is hazardous at best plus you stand a good chance of damaging something.

geordie · Jan 14, 2004

A brief write up on separating the manual gearbox from the engine prior to lifting would be appreciated.

SuperDave · Jan 14, 2004

Separating the transmission (gearbox) from the engine is straightforward. BUT, if you are working in a confined situation, your opinions are indeed limited. If you have a good work area and hoist, simply pull the engine and trans out as a unit. It will complicate matters if you try to do this from the side.The trans may unbolted from the bell housing and be left in the car while the engine is removed; again a GOOD hoist is critical for several reasons.

Above all, I recommend that you have an EXPERIENCED person evaluate the situation and guide you in the removal process. From your remarks, I conclude that you are inexperienced and good guidance and help will be VERY important for your safety and the well-being of your project.

dodgestang · Jan 14, 2004

Another thing to keep in mind...if you have enough room (aka cieling height) to open the hood all the way in your garage, you have enough room to pull the motor out. I help a friend pull his 289 of his 66 coupe in the basement garage of a townhouse/rowhouse/apartment kinda deal...the cieling was approx 6.5 foot....I was clostrophobic working there, but he cranked the hoist all the way up till it touched the ceiling and the motor just cleared.

You just have to remember to strap the hoist down low and tight to the block, not enough room for a laod leveler but possible to do.

SuperDave · Jan 14, 2004

BTW, getting the engine half-way out only to find that you don't have enough room to do it would be a HUGE PITA. Removing an engine without removing the hood is a neat rick that I'd like to see someone do.

geordie · Jan 14, 2004

Pulling the engine in the street is not an option. The drive to my gagage slopes away from the garage. The rules of our housing association forbit working on cars in the driveway of the house. If I decide to pull the engine, it will have to be done in the garage. There isn't room the pull the engine and gearbox from the front. I can't get the hoist in or withdraw it. Asking whether the engine can be removed from the side seemed like a possible option.

dodgestang · Jan 14, 2004

geordie said:
Pulling the engine in the street is not an option. The drive to my gagage slopes away from the garage. The rules of our housing association forbit working on cars in the driveway of the house. If I decide to pull the engine, it will have to be done in the garage. There isn't room the pull the engine and gearbox from the front. I can't get the hoist in or withdraw it. Asking whether the engine can be removed from the side seemed like a possible option.

IF you don't have the room to pull the motor in the garage....you put the hoist in place, pull the car into the garage, attach the motor, crank it up, and roll the car out

Or leave the car hanging out of the garage the whole time, chock the front tires REAL well and jack up the rear so its level again....how much of a slope are we talking about needing to overcome?

Cbarton · Jan 15, 2004

Double check that rule about not working on cars in the driveway......I have lived in several condos and townhomes with CC&R's before and usually what they are trying to prevent is dead cars laying about in various states of disrepair. See if you can find someone on the board and check what the INTENT of the statute is. Chances are if you are in the driveway working on your car for most of the day saturday and then sat afternoon it's in the garage and out of site you won't have any problem. I mean come on! What if your car wouldn't start. Are they going to cite you for spending a couple of hours with the hood up trying to figure out what's wrong? No they aren't. Really who knows WHAT you're doing when you have your head in the engine compartment with the hood up. For all they know you could be just looking at your engine........

Chris Barton

351LX · Jan 15, 2004

I have a steep slope going up to my garage as well.I mounted a plate onto my garage floor with a hook on it so that I can winch disabled cars into my garage.I have had to pull motors and roll the vehicle outside and then winch it back inside later.Pulling it from the side isn't that big of a deal anyway.Use a hoist with wide front legs to go around the wheel so you don't have to jack the car up.You are going to have to pull the engine towards the grille to seperate it from the transmission so try to set it up to pull at an angle and before you do it do a trial run to make sure you will have enough clearance over the fenders, remembering that the car will be higher without the weight of the motor in it.If you can find a hoist with swivel wheels on the front it will help.

akd67 · Jan 15, 2004

I could of swore I read in one of my books that you can chain the front springs down while the engine is in. I'd have to run out to the shop and check for sure.This keeps the front end from popping up after the engine weight is removed.It also hides the fact the motors out.

Engine Removal

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