engine removal and reinstallation
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engine removal and reinstallation



Cheers Kate!  I have seen the sorry little man down the street laying on his back under his Dodge pickup with a tranny on his torso trying to heft a transmission up into his truck having not heeded this very advice.  It was quite a sight, I think that tranny may have weighed just about as much as him...LOL 
 
I have watched my father, brother, and husband (all mechanics) hoist engine/tranny out as one unit for many, many years, and for those very good reasons that you listed.  I appreciate your two cents, it is nice to hear from you.  An experienced mechanic should be able to take the entire thing out in not much longer than just the engine.  As you mentioned, not only worth the time...but definitely worth saving the risk of ruining any parts. 
 
In my case, the starter for my 1959 is a one year starter.  A replacement, while not only hard to find, is very costly compared to other Mopar starters.  My father has his own version of the penny saved story, and goes like this "A penny saved is better than a penny earned...you've already paid taxes on it."  Unless you have money to burn, and time to hunt down those ever elusive parts, your point is well taken. 
 
Thanks again!     
 
Teresa Smith
1959 Imperial South Hampton Custom
Kennewick, WA
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2004 7:57 AM
Subject: IML: engine removal and reinstallation

Ok guys, just two cents from a 5'-4" 140 pound woman with too many permanently mashed knuckles and a healthy respect for iron tonnage.
 
It may be one heck of a lot more work to pull all the radiator support hardware, grille, etc to get that engine and tranny out as a unit, but I can guarantee you that it is worth the extra effort!
 
NOT having to lift nearly half a ton of fragile metal parts out of a rats nest of iron protrusions and hoses, wires etc and getting it high enough and angled enough to have the tailshaft clear the floor AND not hang up and damage anything in the process is worth the extra time by itself.
 
 The OTHER important benefit of having the front end stuff out of the way is that you will not have to mate up the engine and transmission while you are under the car, swearing a blue streak and hurting your (already bashed) fingers, and those of the other person you will have to have helping you reef the darn thing in!
 
 I have seen too many shadetree mechanics do considerable damage to input splines, bolt flanges, starter parts, etc., to take this advantage lightly. Mating up an engine and transmission on the ground outside is a job. Doing it blind while half of the parts are not in sight and just that little bit out of alignment is a long and painful stay in purgatory. A little extra time will likely save you untold misery and possible injury - to you and the car!
 
As before, just my two hard-earned cents....
 
Kate Justet Triplett
Kate's Custom Gunleather
Monroe, WA
"Lucille" 1968 Crown 4 door HT


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