4WD: The front cross member has nothing to do with mounting the engine, as the engine supports bolt to the inner frame rails.

 

I second that. It's WAY easier to do the work you're doing with the front clip off. If you do a search you can find exactly what bolts to remove. Take the hood off first. Front clip is not that heavy. You have to pull the rad either way you go.

 

Take all of the weight off of the engine that you can. Intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, heads, starter motor, timing chain, water pump, fuel pump, oil filter, etc.
Reduce the weight as much as you can, even down to removing the oil and the oil pan.
Use the head mounting bolts for the lifting cradle/sling. It's probably a good idea to replace all of the head bolts anyhow.
Do not try to remove the transmission and engine from the truck together.
Plan on having the radiator rebuilt - makes sense to pull the engine out through the front of the truck when you do that.
While you have "dead time" (like waiting for the heads to come back from a shop, for example), consider draining and removing the gas tank(s). If your gas tanks have been sitting for a while, they should be tested for rust and leaks. If they test good, have them relined, otherwise replace them. Talk to the radiator shop and see if they can do the gas tank(s) as well as the radiator.

Get a camera and document each step. There's been a number of times I've had to check the photos because I couldn't remember what went where.

Do not let anyone (including yourself) or anything pressure you into hurrying. Make sure each step is done right, so that you don't have to back up and do it over. The first engine I rebuilt, I swear, I built it three or four times, because of all of the times I had to back up and do it again.

For safety's sake, don't work on it if you are tired.

It's ok to make mistakes, just as long as nobody gets hurt in the process. Your number one rule should be "No Injuries".

Stick with it, don't get frustrated and give up. Even if you never rebuild another engine, you will feel a wonderful sense of satisfaction when you hear the rebuilt engine fire up and run for the first time.

Don't hesitate to ask for guidance here - there are a lot of experienced wrench heads here, and they don't mind sharing what they know.

I hope you don't have to deal with nests of wasps like I did.

Best of luck with the project.

 

you forgot

you must fire it up first time open header on Sunday morning with a stupid grin on your face . Neighbors always want to chat about your project Sunday morning .. lol

 

The intake alone is about 100 lbs! If you can get those heads off that would greatly help too.

Granny must have been a lead foot...I see there are Edelbrock valve covers on the motor....

 

Well... some folks go to church... others wrench on old trucks...