Wow, that is quite the project you have going there.
And that beer is bigger than they make it in Texas!

 

so far a tightening the TC bolts. If you don't have a helper to hold s ratchet and socket on the crank bolt up front to keep the engine from turning, get a piece of pipe to put on the end of the ratchet and wedge it into the ground of anywhere you can get it to grab to hold it in place. You my little friend are a stallion. I've worked on cars my whole life, and I'm not looking forward to pulling mine in a couple of weeks, but here you are, outside in the grass with primitive conditions and no experience at all. Rock on with your bad self. It's good to see that you have a nearby brewery also. That has to help. So what other snags did you run into? How did you jack up the flexplate?

 

Alex, find a piece of 1x4 or 2x4 about 1' long or whatever size would be appropriate. Wedge it between the starter ring gear and the bell housing to keep the engine from turning. Put it in the side that would wedge the wood tighter as you turn the bolts. It doesn't have to be really tight but be sure you don't crack the aluminum bell housing while doing this. I know it's primitive but, well,.......

 

I jacked the flex plate up because I rounded one of the bolts (one of the two closest to the bottom) off a while ago when I was tired. I then managed to completely forget about this bolt while I waited to gather parts. I got under there last night and realized this bolt was keeping the entire project from moving along. 1.5 hours to the nearest town and I don't have a car. I can't afford too many more delays since snow and freezing weather are on the way. I tried vice grips again and then decided I just couldn't let this hold me back and pried the flex plate right off, breaking a small portion off. I would need to hammer it back on. but the best bet would be to find a new one.


Thanks for the compliments guys, its actually been fun. None of my friends are mechanical and they think what I managed to do yesterday was amazing. Many are gathering after work tonight to watch more. Then I start my last week of double shifts and won't be around the truck for a couple days.

Over a round of drinks last night I figured out what made the engine removal a complete pain in the ***. Since i have another engine in the back, the truck is squatting a little bit forcing the front end up and causing several issues in clearance. Hopefully putting the new one in will be easier when I take it out of the bed and the front end lowers!!!



Its 8am and I am off to serve people food in a civilized manner and by this afternoon make more progress!

 

Another week goes by, how's the progress?

 

It goes along great. I moved out of my place of living, so now I am off the radar beyond my phone. My desk top is packed up and I don't own a laptop so my update might not be very frequent.

This past week I put in about 9 hours in one day and made tons of headway. The old engine is out and completely canabilized of parts. The new engine is out of the bed and sitting in front of the truck. The injectors all have new o-ring on them and I still have many more o-rings to go. If the sun comes out this afternoon I will be busy putting the fuel bowl, hpop, injectors, and exhaust manifolds on her!

I did manage to break a bolt off in the y pipe so I am waiting on a new one from the lower 48. Mark (Milleroutdoors) is going to send one up and once that puppy arrives, Ill drop the motor in and have her back together I hope.


So far its going well. It has been the talk of town and many people stop by to chit chat and say hi. I don't think this could have ever been pulled off in any other town. I do have pics and will share them when I can.

Continue to wish me luck!

 

We're all following this and pulling for you -- update when you can!

 

Alex you are one tough son of a gun in my book. I hope putting it in goes smooth. You should know what to do and what not to do with a engine swap when you get done.
Good luck.

 

Hell yeah dude, we're all pulling for you. : Here's to you firing that bad boy up next week and ripping dookie all over AK.

 

I don't know if this has been said. Just get a socket that fits on the drive pulley bolt, have someone hold it while you undo or rethread the bolts for the torque converter. Or what I did was take a breaker bar and socket on the drive pulley bolt and tie a rope to it to the frame... that will keep the motor from turning.. If you don't have any help!

Good Luck!!

 

Aint that the truth!

Stewart

 

Got it running yet?

 

Had a couple setbacks for parts but we are looking at dropping it in tonight before sun down. Turning the key in the next day or two?

 

best of luck, cant wait to hear how she goes.

 

Had a big F up and the front cover the engine managed to crack because I used the wrong gasket on the HPOP reservoir. Pulled it back out and am swapping the newer cover back on.

Can anyone sequester the torque for the crank pulley and HPOP drive crank?