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Any tips for Engine swap
#368489 March 10th 2010 8:58 am
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shaggy Offline OP
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Well I won an auction for a nice rebuilt 350 on ebay to replace my current 350.I'm gonna be ditching the AC too as I think I've used it maybe twice in ten years (I'm in Ireland remember not noted for it's soaring temperatures).
The swap itself should be fairly straightforward. I don't have an engine crane so am thinking of doing it the other way supporting the engine on a pallet/pallet truck jacking the van into the air and wheeling it out. I think I saw some photos of this being done on here ages ago but I can't find the thread. Anyone know who posted it? I presume it's easier taking the trans out to and swapping that over to the new motor off the van. I also remember that you have to get the van hella high off the ground for clearance (maybe theres some more supports you can remove to avoid this?).
Or is it a lot simpler to just hire an engine crane and take it out the top? I kinda doubt it but no harm in asking.
Cheers Guys smile


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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
shaggy #368492 March 10th 2010 9:02 am
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I would recommend looking for a rental store and rent a engine hoist..it will make it a lot easier to swap..the cost should be minimal and if you get everything set up ahead of time the swap should be very simple..good luck...


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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
vanatic05 #368501 March 10th 2010 9:47 am
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shaggy Offline OP
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Thanks Vanatic, Yeah I found some previous posts finally and out the front through the grille is the way to go apparently. Anyone get a link to a how to on this with photos? Allways nice to figure everything out before hand.
EDIT: I found this seems good but no photos.
chevy motor removal how-to

Last edited by shaggy; March 10th 2010 10:01 am.

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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
shaggy #368507 March 10th 2010 10:25 am
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I thin Wookie is the one that posted the thread with photos.

I recommend the engine hoist also.


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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
Superbeast #368589 March 10th 2010 4:45 pm
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Here's a link to my photobucket,it's not a GM I know but it might give you a visual on what you're about to do.Only thing I would do a bit different is remove the bumper for a few more inches clearance and get the van up higher.The straighter the boom goes in the better,that and hang the engine from the boom and pull the trans from underneath.My own feelings on getting the trans out first is it can get awkward enough with just the engine trying to slide out.
http://s339.photobucket.com/albums/n450/lloydhuff/quicksliver/
You should be able to click on a photo and zoom in for more detail.


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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
SixShot #368595 March 10th 2010 5:39 pm
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Renting an engine crane,Removing the grill and going out the front is the way to go.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

unless you have a really nice lift like a couple of the guys here have.
with a lift you can unbolt the cross member/trans cross member remove the rad and shroud and drop the engine out the bottom.while raising the van on the lift.

the how to you posted said to drain and remove the pan.The engine can be pulled with out pulling the pan.
the engine and trans can be pulled together, or separated and the trans left in the van.
A good set of jack stands come in handy also......

........Wookee


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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
wookee #368616 March 10th 2010 7:38 pm
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shaggy Offline OP
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Thanks Guys thats very helpfull.I'll start searching for a decent engine crane!


79 chevy G30 cobra camper conversion.
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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
shaggy #368667 March 11th 2010 12:26 am
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Good thing you swapped that motor Wookee, seems the front 2 cylinders burned right off that 350. No seriously, cute 4.3.

Shaggy, I did mine last summer. It's good fun. If you are going to re use your transmission, Leave it in the van. Support it (the trans) from underneath with some blocks before you break the motor free, remove the bolts, separate the torque converter with a pry-bar towards the rear of the van. Leaving the trans in makes getting the motor to balance on the arm of the crane a lot easier/safer.

Pull the intake manifold off and get that arm as close to the top of the motor as possible. That way you don't have a long distance to lift with extra chain slack/swing. Once you get the motor mounts loose it only has to go up a couple inches and it comes right out. When going back in have a friend help if possible, this will allow you to move it down and into position while your buddy guides the rear of the motor toward the guide pins on the transmission. This is do able by yourself however, just more time consuming. Mine dropped in and line up first shot, could not have done it like that again if I had a gun to my head. Doable weekend project with an engine crane and a nice piece of flat tarmac.

Last edited by Bandvan; March 11th 2010 12:34 am.

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Re: Any tips for Engine swap
Bandvan #368669 March 11th 2010 12:31 am
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In my Dodge service manual, they actually had you remove the carb and attach two angle plates to the carb studs, slide a hardened pin through the plates, and lift the engine out with an engine hoist:

[Linked Image]

Hope it goes smoothly for you! I may do it yet too.

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