311s.org Engine Removal Info

311 Engine Removal Tech Section

So your clutch is slipping or that rear main is spewing out more oil than OPEC produces in a day?! Time to remove the engine/tranny for some repair and replacing of worn components. Removing the engine is not a big deal but a cherry picker or some type of hoist is a must. Below are the steps for a successful removal.

Step 1 - Remove the hood or bonnett depending on where you are.
Step 2 - Drain fluid from cooling system into a suitable container-pitcock bottom of radiator.
Step 3 - Loosen both upper and lower radiator hoses along with hoses to thermostat housing and the overflow tank and remove.
Step 4 - Remove air scoop, fan shroud and radiator(4 bolts)
Step 5 - Remove radiator support brackets. Gives more room for engine removal.
Step 6 - Disconnect electrical- both ground cables/straps, starter postive battery cable, starter to wiring harness plug, alternator connection, reverse light wires, and distributor hot wire.
Step 7 - Remove clutch slave from transmission bell housing.
Step 8 - Remove bolts from motor mounts.
Step 9 - Disconnect exhaust header/manifold from exhaust system.
Step 10 - Remove drive shaft. Note:On the 4 speeds it is best to drain the fluid from the tranny as it will spill from the tail shaft when you tip the engine for removal or you can use a paint can cap to seal it off. The caps fit nice and tight.
Step 11 - Disconnect speedometer cable and tachometer cable(distributor).
Step 12 - Disconnect choke cables and throttle cable.
Step 13 - Remove bolts securing tranny to rear support mount.
Step 14 - Remove gear shift lever.
Step 15 - Disconnect hoses to heater core
Step 16 - Attach adjustable lifting device to brackets on front and rear of engine.
Step 17 - Slowly lift engine and tranny sliding the cherry picker forward as you raise the engine.

Some have reported problems getting the cherry picker underneath the front end. Mine fits under the car just fine. If the picker will not fit grab some pieces of 2 x 4 or other scrap lumber and use them as shims under the front tires to raise the car up enough so the picker will fit under the car.

Once the engine is out you can begin disassembly of the tranny from the engine for clutch replacement or rear seal repair. Now is a great time to clean that engine bay up as well and maybe slap a coat of paint on for detailing. Also, if you have not done so, now would be a good time to remove the triangular support on the drivers side which will enable easy replacement of starters. Simply drill out the spot welds and reuse the old piece or you can fabricate a new one as I did. Leaving it out completely will not hurt anything either. Really your choice but highly recommended one way or the other.

Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly with no real order once the engine is back in place. Just do not forget to hook up the grounding strap from the starter to the frame.

So as you can see, pulling a motor is not as big a deal as one might think. I can get one out by myself in a couple of hours tops. The more you can do yourself the more you can save. I am into saving and enjoy doing the work to boot. Happy roadstering and enjoy the ride!