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Removing k-frame with engine in place.

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Dec 5, 2019
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Location
New Zealand
Question. Can you, without potential damage to your inner guards, take the weight of and suspend your engine under a beam and remove your k-frame without having to pull the whole drive line? I’m needing to replace suspension bushings, engine mounts etc and repaint it all. The photo is with some odd bits wood I had laying around just to illustrate what I had in mind.

8D63D398-1442-4308-A446-7CAA7C589CE5.jpeg
 
It can be done. Pull the steering column, disconnect the upper control arms, power steering hoses (if it's a P/S car) unbolt the motor mounts, brake lines, Torsion bars shocks and the 4 K frame bolts the whole front suspension will drop out. I think your idea will work, I'd make sure I had the car stable on some good jack stands. Good luck and be careful :thumbsup:
 
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I took the k-frame and front suspension out of my Belvedere and left the engine in place. We made a jig that bolted to the water pump bolt holes in the block and supported the engine on the front frame rails.
 
This begs the question; what's wrong with the K-frame that warrants its removal?
 
Replacing the front K-member and suspension is about to happen with my 70 Roadrunner. I'm pretty sure that the shop is going to use an engine hoist, and a frame support style lift.
Like this:
Go to 2:55
 
Replacing the front K-member and suspension is about to happen with my 70 Roadrunner. I'm pretty sure that the shop is going to use an engine hoist, and a frame support style lift.
Like this:
Go to 2:55

It would have to be a lot more than 4 pounds for me to change from stock. How many dollars did that 4 pounds cost? I'm sure that is more expensive than the HP to make up for weight. I can make my torsion bar suspension handle as good at a tenth of the cost. My old school opinion.
What the question was, is if what he is wanting to do will work. IMO it will work. In the body shop world there is a special jig that works similar to what he is trying to do. It makes it easy to change suspension parts without removing the engine. We have even used it to support the engine while changing a busted transmission on FWD cars.
 
It would have to be a lot more than 4 pounds for me to change from stock. How many dollars did that 4 pounds cost? I'm sure that is more expensive than the HP to make up for weight. I can make my torsion bar suspension handle as good at a tenth of the cost. My old school opinion.
Not the only reason why I am installing one, along with all of the other aftermarket front suspension parts.
What the question was, is if what he is wanting to do will work.
And I provided an alternative.
 
Not the only reason why I am installing one, along with all of the other aftermarket front suspension parts.

And I provided an alternative.
@biomedtechguy I know you have your reasons and I'm not questioning you. I just stated my old school opinion. Your just like the rest of us, spending money on your passion. No offense intended.
 
@biomedtechguy I know you have your reasons and I'm not questioning you. I just stated my old school opinion. Your just like the rest of us, spending money on your passion. No offense intended.
:thumbsup:
If I knew more about fixing the factory parts, like I recently learned about offset bushings for the UCAs, and other things, that would be great. I would still be inclined to go the route I did, as part of a restomod/pro touring image.
No problem, thanks.
 
@Kiwi Satellite - if you are interested, I have a cradle that I have used to support the entire engine & K-Frame - with castors....much safer option for removing the assembly. Let me know if you want to borrow it. :)
Not sure that what you're planning is the best way to go about the job.
 
Thanks for the helpful input. Food for thought. Wanted to get all the suspension and k frame sorted and painted before sometime down the track getting stuck into the engine and trans. I’ve got the trunk pan to replace and rear window leaks to address before that happens though.
 
Question. Can you, without potential damage to your inner guards, take the weight of and suspend your engine under a beam and remove your k-frame without having to pull the whole drive line? I’m needing to replace suspension bushings, engine mounts etc and repaint it all. The photo is with some odd bits wood I had laying around just to illustrate what I had in mind.

View attachment 876863

I have been working on the K frame in my Coronet so I fabricated a support for the engine. Pretty simple fab job.
DSC_3499 (Large).JPG
 
Those are TF 240 heads. No modifications. We take the heads apart for cleaning and inspection and then put them back together. The engine in the Coronet is a 426W with a 4.250 crank. It makes about 600 hp and 630 torque and idles like a stocker with a small hyd roller cam. Very nice street engine.
 
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