Engine removal question
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 190
Likes: 40
Engine removal question
I have a 1986 F350 with a 460. I am planning on pulling the engine to replace the clutch and also fix the rear main seal. I started taking things apart last night and noticed that there might be some clearance issues with the factory AC. I couldn't find a direct answer searching on the site. Can this engine be pulled without depressurizing the AC and taking it apart (or can you take it off without depressurization)?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 447
Likes: 94
From: Texas, near Houston
I have a 1986 F350 with a 460. I am planning on pulling the engine to replace the clutch and also fix the rear main seal. I started taking things apart last night and noticed that there might be some clearance issues with the factory AC. I couldn't find a direct answer searching on the site. Can this engine be pulled without depressurizing the AC and taking it apart (or can you take it off without depressurization)?
Thanks.
Thanks.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I dont know if you can remove the compressor and lay it off to the side on the inner fender and still get the motor out or not?
I have never given it a try on anything I have owned but I have heard of some that have done that.
The other thing I have seen posted is to remove the system as a whole.
With the radiator out you might be able to get the condenser out from the radiator side.
You will need to remove the evap from the box, not hard as I have swapped mine out, system was open.
You will need a hand or 2 to get all of that out of the engine bay and not have to open the system.
I heard of this online when junk yard hunting and not wanting to open the system.
Dave ----
I have never given it a try on anything I have owned but I have heard of some that have done that.
The other thing I have seen posted is to remove the system as a whole.
With the radiator out you might be able to get the condenser out from the radiator side.
You will need to remove the evap from the box, not hard as I have swapped mine out, system was open.
You will need a hand or 2 to get all of that out of the engine bay and not have to open the system.
I heard of this online when junk yard hunting and not wanting to open the system.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 190
Likes: 40
I removed the compressor and did lay it off to the side, but the hoses *might* cause a clearance problem.
I saw something about removing the whole system intact - said it was possible for 80-96 F series and Broncos. I just don't know if that post was for dealer vs. factory AC installs. I'll dig more into it in the next couple of nights - just wanted to see what the community here said.
Thanks for the responses!
I saw something about removing the whole system intact - said it was possible for 80-96 F series and Broncos. I just don't know if that post was for dealer vs. factory AC installs. I'll dig more into it in the next couple of nights - just wanted to see what the community here said.
Thanks for the responses!
Last edited by 69Bronc; Nov 4, 2025 at 12:22 PM.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 447
Likes: 94
From: Texas, near Houston
I removed the compressor and did lay it off to the side, but the hoses *might* cause a clearance problem.
I saw something about removing the whole system intact - said it was possible for 80-96 F series and Broncos. I just don't know if that post was for dealer vs. factory AC installs. I'll dig more into it in the next couple of nights - just wanted to see what the community here said.
Thanks for the responses!
I saw something about removing the whole system intact - said it was possible for 80-96 F series and Broncos. I just don't know if that post was for dealer vs. factory AC installs. I'll dig more into it in the next couple of nights - just wanted to see what the community here said.
Thanks for the responses!
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I removed the compressor and did lay it off to the side, but the hoses *might* cause a clearance problem.
I saw something about removing the whole system intact - said it was possible for 80-96 F series and Broncos. I just don't know if that post was for dealer vs. factory AC installs. I'll dig more into it in the next couple of nights - just wanted to see what the community here said.
Thanks for the responses!
I saw something about removing the whole system intact - said it was possible for 80-96 F series and Broncos. I just don't know if that post was for dealer vs. factory AC installs. I'll dig more into it in the next couple of nights - just wanted to see what the community here said.
Thanks for the responses!
I do know the factory evap comes out from the engine bay side. Remove half of the HVAC box (1 screw is inside) and the coil is right there.
I guess some hoses are different / longer than others and why it can lay on the inner fender?
if you have removed the compressor then the seal is lost. Just go ahead and remove whatever you need to to get it out. But be advised you will need a lot of height to get the engine over the core support. An engine hoist for a car wont do it. You will need to lift it from a rafter, tree, truck lift, or pull it out the front. Its actually easier to pull it out the front.
Dave ----
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 447
Likes: 94
From: Texas, near Houston
I believe that is for a factory system as I dont know how the hoses are run or where the evaporator is and how it comes out.
I do know the factory evap comes out from the engine bay side. Remove half of the HVAC box (1 screw is inside) and the coil is right there.
I guess some hoses are different / longer than others and why it can lay on the inner fender?
When he said "removed" he meant from the motor not opening the system and removing from the engine bay.
Dave ----
I do know the factory evap comes out from the engine bay side. Remove half of the HVAC box (1 screw is inside) and the coil is right there.
I guess some hoses are different / longer than others and why it can lay on the inner fender?
When he said "removed" he meant from the motor not opening the system and removing from the engine bay.
Dave ----
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
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Correct. When I said "remove", I just meant from the mount. Nothing in the actual ac system itself was disconnected.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 194
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From: SW Connecticut
@69Bronc - quick question as I am looking at a rear main seal job in my future. Would a reputable transmission shop know enough about these trucks (mine is a 351 W and a C6) to handle this or should i be looking at someone who is more specialized? This is new territory for me and while i love wrenching on it, i dont have the time, space or brain power to take this on. Thx
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 447
Likes: 94
From: Texas, near Houston
@69Bronc - quick question as I am looking at a rear main seal job in my future. Would a reputable transmission shop know enough about these trucks (mine is a 351 W and a C6) to handle this or should i be looking at someone who is more specialized? This is new territory for me and while i love wrenching on it, i dont have the time, space or brain power to take this on. Thx
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,668
Likes: 1,159
From: Tolland, CT
Asked google, you might find the answer there.
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...y5hywk_ls,st:0
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...y5hywk_ls,st:0
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
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From: Virginia
@69Bronc - quick question as I am looking at a rear main seal job in my future. Would a reputable transmission shop know enough about these trucks (mine is a 351 W and a C6) to handle this or should i be looking at someone who is more specialized? This is new territory for me and while i love wrenching on it, i dont have the time, space or brain power to take this on. Thx
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
I just did a little search, the 302 went to a one piece rear main in 1986. But I see you have a 460, apparently they kept the 2 piece seal till the end. So I think you will be better off to pull the engine, put all new gaskets and a timing chain in it, and do your rear main then. The biggest hurdle is pulling the oil pan.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 190
Likes: 40
@69Bronc - quick question as I am looking at a rear main seal job in my future. Would a reputable transmission shop know enough about these trucks (mine is a 351 W and a C6) to handle this or should i be looking at someone who is more specialized? This is new territory for me and while i love wrenching on it, i dont have the time, space or brain power to take this on. Thx
Last edited by 69Bronc; Jan 19, 2026 at 12:49 PM.