VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Engine removal

I think if I were going to pull my motor & trans I would try to do it without removing the hood. Not having to deal with the hood springs would be the way to go for me. I pulled mine & left the trans in, I havn't put the motor back in so we will see how that goes in another week or so. Good Luck.

If you have a strong enough and manouverable engine hoist, remove the grille and radiator, split the u joint to disconnect the drive line and then pull the engine/bell housing/transmission as an assembly up and out the front. It is very heavy but you then have good access to everything. You don't have to removed the hood if your hoist has enough "reach".

I have pulled the engines and transmissions out of 2 51 cars, both with 3 speed transmissions. I did remove the hood, the radiator and the radiator support and disconnected the bar across the top of the radiator support on one side and laid it over to the side (the one that the light wires go thru) I didn't remove the complete grill. If you don't own a engine hoist most rental places have one that they rent, one with wheels that you can tow home and back to the rental place. I would think that if you want to do the restoration of your cars it would pay to buy one. Harbor Freight has a couple of models. This one is 2 tons and foldable on sale for around $190. There are many of better quality and more expensive, but this one is ok for ocassional use in a home shop.


Be sure to get at least a 4000# rated one, when they are extended out the rating goes way down. I have used a fixed A frame and chain hoist and pushed the car out from under it to remove the engine and transmission, but that is a pain.

and remember to take plenty of pictures because you will forget what goes where, etc. I took alot but its never enough or the right angle. also label all bolts, etc very well because they will all look the same after a while. good luck.

That is probably the best advise one could receive.

Looking good....whos paint is that?
From the picture the fan looks to be from a truck (wide blades)....car fan measures 15 3/4". Heavy duty passenger is the 16 1/4" but has the wider blade and truck fan is 18". Do you have one from one of your other cars to compare it with?

Looking good so far!! That Fleetline is going to be awesome when you are through.Looks like a lot of hard work,but,fun all at the same time.Keep us updated!!

I need some engine work done on my 1951 cevy 216 dose anyone know someone that you would recomend Thank You Mt. Prospect Il.
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