Best way to swap engine and transmission

[OzCharger69]

Hello all,

Later in the year I will be swapping the 383 with a 512 and the 727 with a Tremec TKX. At the same time I'm redoing the suspension with new torsion rods and all the bushes and changing the P/S box to a stage 3 Firm Feel. I have a 2 post car hoist and I can borrow an engine crane and a transmission jack. I'm tossing between these 3 methods


1) Drop the engine with K-member/transmission as one piece. I would need to make a timber jig of sorts

2) Unbolt the transmission and drop it. Then drop the engine with K-Member

3) Unbolt the transmission and drop it. Unbolt engine from mounts and lift engine through the hood space.

Thanks for your opinions

 

[Beekeeper]

Since your doing suspension as well there’s only one way to go and that’s drop it all out the bottom in one unit.

 

[Jerry Hall]

@Beekeeper I love your dolly for removal and installation. Mine is homemade from wood and a old metal cart frame.

 

[Beekeeper]

I done a parts list and measurements and all after I built it. They are on FABO somewhere
the one you have gets the job done.

Oh and I need the power steering hose in your pic

 

[Mike67]

Male a dolly and drop everything from the bottom. I made my dolly high so I could watch everything from the bottom and would not have to get under the car.
Just make sure your balance is good, once you drop everything that rear is going to be the heavy end.

 

[ckessel]

Since you have the lift, do the bottom up. Works great.

 

[OzCharger69]

Thank you thank you thank you, that's exactly what I needed to see.

The only dolly I can find around is the one pictured. I need to find something like that T-shaped trolley and modify it from there.

Beekeeper I really like your scissor jack idea.

 

[Kern Dog]

Aha! I see that I was able to sway you to choose the manual transmission!

 

[hunt2elk]

I made a stand a couple years ago and have been dropping them out the bottom as well. It's nice not to have to remove the hood or worry about damaging fenders. Also makes it a pretty easy one man job.
Just another thought, but with a big stroker motor it's not a a bad idea to tie the frames and maybe even torque boxes. Hardtops really do a a lot of twisting.

 

[ckessel]

Get 4 10+ inch long 5/8" bolts, cut the heads off and use them to help guide the assembly when you lower the car to the engine/trans/k assembly. Thread them up into the rails.

 

[OzCharger69]

View attachment 1140290 View attachment 1140289 Aha! I see that I was able to sway you to choose the manual transmission!

You sure did Kern and can't thank you enough for that! I was straying down the slippery path of a 5 speed auto

 

[OzCharger69]

Thanks all, super helpful advice