VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Removing engine from 1927 car

Can the engine be removed from a 1927 coach and leave the transmission bolted into the car? If so...how?
Thanks,
Bob D.

Save yourself some trouble, remove the shift lever from the transmission, stuff a shop rag into the cavity to keep out any trash, and pull both engine and trans.

You will need to remove the bottom 1/2 of the bell housing to clear the frame member.

We made it back home in fine shape and are now loading up for the National 4-cylinder tour in Glacier.

You did a great job of guiding us around, sorry that Matilda was not completely up for the job.

BOB
Good question, the repair manual talks about all things to be removed and disconnected and radiator removed etc then it states "raise the motor slightly, at the same time swinging it forward and the motor, clutch and transmission may be lifted out of the chassis as a unit and be mounted on a motor stand ..."

I think that means as one unit. the 27 is sure tight the 28 has a longer crank so it has more room. repair engine in car.
I am considering removing mine this winter so I will watch this.

Ken

I have recently removed and replaced engines in a '28 Coupe 6-8 times in the last year or so. In the past have also done it on a '27. I have always pulled engine and transmission. It is far easier than trying to separate from transmission and then stabbing the transmission back into the engine while installing. I have also found it is much easier to install the U-joint and ball housing on the back of the transmission and then mating it to the propeller shaft and torque tube. BTW I just remove the four bolts on the top of the transmission and taking off the top versus removing the stick. If you are worried about getting stuff in the transmission then just install a cardboard cover.

It is not necessary to remove the flywheel cover to get it installed or removed. Guess I didn't know that I should have so never did and didn't have any problems taking out or installing.

Oh ya, when removing or installing place a piece of cardboard or thin carpet to protect the firewall paint. Doesn't take much but saves a few scratches, repaint or touchup.

sounds like good words of experiance from someone that knows....By the way, did you ever get the engine to run to your satisfaction?

I think I finally have gotten the high oil pressure problem solved. Yes HIGH oil pressure. It was caused by a carbon looking material plugging the oil pipes. Cleaned them three times. The last time each of the pipes that feed the troughs had a small amount of that stuff plugging the end of the pipe. I will let you know after the 4 cylinder tour if the problem has not resurfaced.

Hope that the gremlins have had enough fun watching me remove and replace engines in the '28 Coupe.

Thanks to you all.

Actually, I did remove the engine/transmission as a unit per the repair manual. I stuffed a paper towel into the top of the tranny stick hole and wrapped the universal bell with a rag and wire.

The engine and clutch are in Auburn for overhaul.

I was hoping (praying?) that I could reinstall the tranny into the car while waiting for the return of the engine. Based on your shared knowledge, I will wait and attach it to the engine first.

It was really a hassle for me to wrestle that wide rear frame member out of the hole while it was attached to the engine. I didn't think about removing the bottom of the bell housing. Maybe that would have made a difference getting clearance all around so I would not have had to move it side to side while lifting up at the same time.

Ray, Matilda was doing the job ok. We were having a ball getting to know each other. If only I had left her oil line alone instead of putting that new oil filter into her engine compartment......sigh...
Bob (putting a wrench on everything new from now on) D.

I have spoken to a chev owner who has thought about having the rear engine cross member removeable, as if it was boltable it may make the removeale of the eng/trans unit easier.

I have only had my eng out once in 35 years,so it would not be a priority for my tourer, but I would like to hear any comments for and against.

Cheers

Ray

Be careful re 'stuffing a rag' in the top of the open gearbox. I did this on my 28 once and when the lot was re-installed I had to move the car slightly. Unfortunately the rag was dragged down between the gears and it took me hours to get it all out. I've now made a metal cover which can be bolted on the top of the open gearbox.
Chris

I have made a cover out of some stiff corrugated cardboard that worked just fine in keeping out trash. Also use a similar piece between top of the engine/head and firewall to protect the paint. Has worked well in about 8 removal/installations recently.