Top Radiator Cross “Support” Removal

[19bee70]

I just did this 6 months ago in the same type of garage.
Pulled the hood
Jacked car just high enough to get tires off and used stands
Unbolted all the suspension and steering connections
Disconnected wiring, fuel, driveshaft and removed radiator
Fab'd a cradle like DANGTX said but I used 2 4 wh furniture dolly from HF to support engine and trans.
Used top shocked mount holes for eye bolts and a chain. Lifted body, removed jack stands and lowered body and everything onto cradle
Removed trans x member and k frame bolts
Lifted body until cradle with eng/trans roll out other side opposite lift

There might be other disconnects but you get the idea. Without the good on I was able to lift the body high enough to roll it out. The clear advantage here is no damage to good paint in the engine compartment and no banging around fighting with angles with the trans connected
This may work for you too.

 

[Moparfiend]

If you pull the hood consider drilling a couple of holes through the hinge and the hood so you can put it back in the right place by using "pins" or drill bits to line up the holes before bolting it back together.

Great idea! Thank you! Do you mean like two in this area?

 

[b-body-bob]

Great idea! Thank you! Do you mean like two in this area?

View attachment 1977089

Yes, that is where I would drill.

I found out about this idea the last time I had the hood off my Duster and like to never got the thing to where it would close again. I've had several hoods off before that one, but it broke me that time. Maybe it's the nature of an A-body. I wish I would've known about this idea before I removed it though.

 

[Moparfiend]

Yes, that is where I would drill.

I found out about this idea the last time I had the hood off my Duster and like to never got the thing to where it would close again. I've had several hoods off before that one, but it broke me that time. Maybe it's the nature of an A-body. I wish I would've known about this idea before I removed it though.

Thanks for the tip! I really appreciate this forums members. It’s like a virtual garage for isolated gear heads lol

 

[Don Frelier]

Great idea! Thank you! Do you mean like two in this area?

View attachment 1977089

I take a knife or fine marker and trace the bolt heads prior to removal perhaps not quite as exact but it works well for re-assembly.
3 people makes the install really easy put a fender cloth or something up against the cowl in case it slides rearward when your putting it on.

 

[Kern Dog]

I've read that a good idea is to measure an 8 penny nail, get a drill bit the same size, then later you use the nail as a dowel to align the hood. Even better is to drill two holes per side.

 

[Moparfiend]

It looks like the hood bumper you installed is inside out? I never saw them look like that. That said get the car down off jack stands, roll it forward 4-5 feet, take the hood off put cardboard or and old comforter on the roof and set the hood up there just take the hood catch off the hood so it doesn't hit the windshield. Pull the engine and trans and then push it back in that way you don't have to worry about any height issues..

Thanks I am not sure. It’s possible the hood bumper isn’t correct. I’ll see if I can find some pictures of one here to determine.

I thought about pulling the car out but the driveway has a slight downslope so I am hesitant. But it’s a las resort option if I run into an issue. Reminds me I need a few more chocks.

 

[440 4 speed]

So slap a cap on the tail housing or jam a yoke in it and pull it all out. I've done it in a 70 Duster without even pulling the hood as a 17 year old.

Yes, but when in those younger years you didn’t have a fear of hardly doing anything.
18 year old friend needed to work on his 57 Mayfair auto transmission. This was in the 60’s.
Solution.
Jack up the front end with 2 widow makers. Put a 25 gallon drum under each hub. Did the same with the rear end.
Got advice from a mechanic, bought the parts put them in had bit of a problem IIRC. We had a problem with getting the transmission adjusted so we had shifting correct.
He also had a kill switch to turn off the brake and taillights .
Interesting times.

 

[RemCharger]

Yes, but when in those younger years you didn’t have a fear of hardly doing anything.
18 year old friend needed to work on his 57 Mayfair auto transmission. This was in the 60’s.
Solution.
Jack up the front end with 2 widow makers. Put a 25 gallon drum under each hub. Did the same with the rear end.
Got advice from a mechanic, bought the parts put them in had bit of a problem IIRC. We had a problem with getting the transmission adjusted so we had shifting correct.
He also had a kill switch to turn off the brake and taillights .
Interesting times.

Didn't your better half pull a trans out of a sideways car in the junk yard?

 

[440 4 speed]

Didn't your better half pull a trans out of a sideways car in the junk yard?

Actually she and her best friend Jackie (female) were 19. The better half had a 1954 Plymouth, manual 3 speed on the tree. Went to the city dump got an employee to tip the car on its side and removed the transmission.
They were not intimidated by lack of knowledge.