Cam Change

[Dellb]

Hi All
Just about to lift the engine and tranny out for a hydro roller cam upgrade. I have a suitable engine hoist, and a load leveller to get the unit and tranny out in one. Have any of you guys done this lift using the inlet manifold ( aluminium).
It just looks a bit scary to me me.

 

[Oneball]

I’d prefer to use a lift plate with an alloy manifold rather than attaching the chains directly to the manifold.

Youll need to take a front wheel off, put it on an axle stand and bring the crane in from the side. Depending on what shifter you’ve got after you’ve taken the lever off stick a cut tennis ball on the top to stop it gouging the transmission tunnel.

 

[Corvette]

if you're just doing a cam swap why are you taking the engine and box out?

 

[Dellb]

if you're just doing a cam swap why are you taking the engine and box out?

I am also swapping out other items, and sending the Tranny to Southend for overhaul.
What I forgot to mention, was that I have an inlet manifold lift plate, but a bit concerned about all that weight on the four studs in Aluminium. Has anybody out there lifted this way?

 

[Corvette]

Yes they are fine. Its no problem getting it out, its getting it back in at correct angle to clear firewall then lift up gearbox tail to get it ontop of crossmember(manual car as auto has removable crossmember). The engine leveller with 4 small chains and handle make it real easy one man operation to get it back in.

 

[johng]

I am also swapping out other items, and sending the Tranny to Southend for overhaul.
What I forgot to mention, was that I have an inlet manifold lift plate, but a bit concerned about all that weight on the four studs in Aluminium. Has anybody out there lifted this way?

Where in Southend are you getting the transmission overhauled?
John

 

[Forrest Gump]

I used bolt holes at each end of the heads. Probably 3/8" bolts so a bit beefier than threads in intake. I found this worked fine for me, with manual gearbox attached to engine. You do have to tip the engine to quite an angle to get the gearbox tail shaft past the bulkhead. I can't see how you could get engine and 'box out together with the crane at side of the car???

 

[Oneball]

Comes out in just the same way from the side you just don’t need such a long arm on the crane.

 

[Roscobbc]

Having 'pulled' the engine in and out of my big block Vette so many time times I have to say that lifting from the front (if you have a long enough jib) is the logical way - it is a stretch and on the limit of balance with a typical long reach Clarke crane but the advantage it that you can roll the car instead of (or as well as) moving the crane. Using a carb lift pad is fine, done it many times - it arguably easier to cant the engine at an angle as the effective lift point for the chain is just one point (rather than two or four with other methods) and relatively easy to 'clock' the angle of the engine when lowering. But hey that is why people use 'leveller' bars as in Andys photo's

 

[Dellb]

Where in Southend are you getting the transmission overhauled?
John

I was hoping to get it done at American automatics, but I am unable to make contact at present

 

[johng]

I'm not sure if they are still in business as the owner passed away last year (I was going to get him to look at my transmission before I put it back in the car, but decided to put it in anyway as I didn't know who else could do it locally)

 

[Dellb]

I am totally flabbergasted. Jon was a legend in the tranny world.

 

[johng]

I met him at one of the Essex area meetings, he seemed extremely knowledgeable and very helpful.