[adam83]

I have made a note of every step I have taken, and drawn pictures and diagrams. I only have to remove the main things now, like the bell housing bolts, motor mounts, and the headers. I will hook up the levelet tomorrow and see what it looks/feels like. Thank you very much for giving me the size of the bolts to use that is very helpful.

[Custom10]

I dig these work in progress threads, nice to see the GTO getting the attention it is due.

[cobalt327]

The leveler:



As can be seen, it will work perfectly well bolted to the end intake bolt holes. To use it on the ends of the heads would require the chain to be lengthened.

[adam83]

Originally Posted by Custom10

I dig these work in progress threads, nice to see the GTO getting the attention it is due.

you know, I was thinking that maybe I should start a new thread with pictures of the progress of the engine removal and installation.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by adam83

you know, I was thinking that maybe I should start a new thread with pictures of the progress of the engine removal and installation.

You can start a Project Journal and/or a Photo Journal by clicking on them at the top of the page.

Starting either or both will create a link to them in your posts, at the top opposite side from your screen name. Clicking on that allows the membership to keep track of your progress.

[lust4speed]

Never pulled a Pontiac manifold off to remove an engine - carburetor and distributor removal is optional on how sloppy you plan to be.

Here's a pic from a couple of years ago of my son pulling his engine. Mainly pulled it to get rid of the wrong engine color from 20 years before we purchased the car, but as long as it was out we "improved" it just a little (little air cleaner in pic is to just keep dirt out until engine is back in the car).

[Custom10]

MY "leveler" pulling my old 350,

a 429cj with top loader out of 70 torino, most it has ever pulled, 850lbs+, needs a couple extra arms though, they don;t mind though cause this plate gets passed around a whole bunch.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

Never pulled a Pontiac manifold off to remove an engine - carburetor and distributor removal is optional on how sloppy you plan to be.

Well, I never pulled a HOOD to remove an engine (post #37), so I suppose you prefer to go through that to removing a carb- which is all I ever did. BTW, this includes G-body, F-body and B-body GM's. So to each their own.

In the case of the OP and his leveler, I'd rather state the options and let him decide. I do not use a leveler, so whether or not it will help to remove the carb or intake remains to be determined by him.

[lust4speed]

All's good - we develop and adopt our favorite way of doing things.

[sqzbox]

I got a leveler with the hoist I bought used and have never used it. It's laying in the corner of the garage collecting cob web's. The reason is the carb always got in the way. I've just adjusted the angle by whatever link I hooked the hook too on the chain. Call me lucky but, I dropped the last engine in my truck by myself while my buddy went home to eat lunch. By the time he got back I had the trans bolted up, the headers in place and was bolting up the starter.
Personally, I think levelers are over rated and time consuming.

Cobalt, You don't know what your missing by not removing the hood! The ease of access to the dist. bell housing bolts, and everything else is incredible.
Try it once, you might like it. Takes less time for 4 bolts on the hood than removing the carb and you can install it while it's on the engine stand instead of leaning over the fender.

[turbolover]

I remove the carb and hood and use a chain. Removing a hood take two guys all of 2 minutes (if they take their sweet *** time), about the same for a carb, and a chain has "links" which make it "fully adjustable". Hell one time I took the top end off of a short block so me and a buddy could just lift the two parts out of the car- it still only took about an hour (although this was at a junk yard where you can afford to be a little hasty- but we had to use all hand tools, no impact wrench).

[cobalt327]

You are talking to someone who has pulled literally hundreds of engines- by myself, mostly. So sorry if I come across as an authority. But I have found there's no need to remove the hood in the majority of cases, and if you're working by yourself, taking the hood off is a PITA.

Now, if that's how YOU prefer to do it, like lust4speed aptly said, "...we develop and adopt our favorite way of doing things." But it is just not how I prefer to do it. And I have done it both ways.

What I DID say, was that if you prefer to remove the hood, just be sure to mark the hinge location for an easier reassembly.

[adam83]

I have seen a lot of pictures of engines that are ready to be dropped into cars, and most have the headers attached. If I am taking the headers off to get the engine out, should I just leave them in the car for the installation?

[sqzbox]

Originally Posted by cobalt327

What I DID say, was that if you prefer to remove the hood, just be sure to mark the hinge location for an easier reassembly.

Yeah, that's a gimmie! Failure to do that shows "absence of forthought" and one probably has no business being under one in the first place. I just remove it because I'm a lazy mechanic and it get's in the way of my 6'4" frame. I've got the dent's on my head to prove it!

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by adam83

I have seen a lot of pictures of engines that are ready to be dropped into cars, and most have the headers attached. If I am taking the headers off to get the engine out, should I just leave them in the car for the installation?

You can. I believe you would have a difficult time dropping the engine in w/the headers attached- likely it wouldn't work, period.

If you leave the exhaust pipes and all connected to the headers, wire the headers as far to the side and out of the way as you can. Fortunately the Pontiac angles the exhaust ports downwards, so it is a little easier.