I've got a motor home here built on a 77 1-ton van chassis with a 360 auto drivetrain. It's smoking like a chimney after it runs for a few minutes, and even if it's just the valve seals, it looks like it'd be a nightmare to work on them with the motor in the chassis. Plus, a 77 model motor is just about guaranteed to have bad valve seals, so if I just replaced those and it turned out to be the rings, I'd still end up pulling the engine. So it seems like anyway I look at it, the engine needs to come out to fix the problem.

I've found conflicting stories on how to get the engine out. Some say pull the front end off the van and come through the front, others say it'll come out through the passenger door. Either way it goes, I'll probably pull the trans first, so I have one less thing to wrestle with while the engine's on the hook.

I wondered if anyone with experience would let me know what they found to be the best way to do it?

Thanks

Did a bunch of chev G vans through the front, and maybe one ford E van and one Dodge B van, also thru the front.Trans stayed in chassis. I've heard of the side exit but never attempted it.

FSM shows pulling through the front, with a plate (a real short hookup)on the carb mounting surface. The rad saddle has a bolt in piece to make it easier. I'll try and post the pics when/if I get to my FSM.

Thanks for the replies. The FSM pages will help, if you get a chance.

Sounds like what I need is a plate to bolt in place of the carb, then hook the cherry picker directly to that with no chain.

Now if it would just warm up. The vehicle won't fit through my garage door so it'll be done outside.

Plate to the carb flange and the crane arm attached as close to the plate as possible. You need every last possible amount of vertical lift to clear everything below but at the same time not run into the bottom of the wiper cowling area.

Having the front end as high in the sky as possible will help alot.

The fsm shows using an engine crane with a very short overall vertical height and a long boom to reach in. The exact opposite of what most engine cranes your likely to have today.

I'll add that having front end high as you can helps with boom angle on standard cherry picker.

I did a B van out the front and left trans. in. Not really as bad as it appears...put it back in w/exhaust manifolds attached, which is probably not the best way. Would advise to bolt exhaust manifolds on before completely bolting engine in place as the clearance on drivers side is very tight IIRC.

FWIW...you might want to consider replacing the valve seals before pulling the engine by using air to pressurize the cylinders and see what you have then

I've done a bunch of these, getting it out the passenger door can be done but it's a real mess. Pulling the front end is easier really. I pulled the compressor, alternator and p/s pump off first, then pulled the intake, stretch a chain across the heads intake bolt holes and attach the crane to that. You need all the room you can get there. Raise the front end so the boom is as level as possible with the engine lifted. The trans can stay in but must be supported with a floor jack or something.

Yes, I pulled the intake and attached the chain to the heads as well. They can say what they want, but having done 2 of them when I was much younger was plenty enough for me. I wouldn't even consider doing one now that I'm much less flexible then I used to be. Good luck. Have fun.
Gene

Out the front...

Out the front.
If you are one of those 'toss all the bolts in a coffee can' guys, this is a good one to learn to remove the bolts and part, then put the bolts WITH the part. This is also a GOOD one to pressure wash first!
Bumper, grille, A/C, radiator and brackets, accessories, carb and dist., jack that bad boy up so the boom is flat on the intake (or remove and have it under that level). Then pull the exhaust and trans stuff, motor mounts then lift it until the boom is just touching the body, slide forward and out. Some have suggested pulling the oil pan too, but I didn't (small block).

Looks like out the front is the way to go

My shoulder is already aching just thinking about it. Buy stock in Advil.

Wish I had a son, I'd make him do it

Thanks for the info