May go scrounging for a good 360 core in the next couple of days. Yard only allows their engine hoists - a big roll around derrick style with a chain ratchet winch in the center, so no cherry picker thru the side doors. Wondering if it can be done thru the front with the grill and rad removed, or possibly with the windshield out of the van and thru that space (?). I've seen vans in the yards with their motors removed so I 'think' it's getting done that way, just never yanked one from a van with any sort of hoist...or maybe getting the yard to come with the fork lift to pull it out the front.......

i had a friend help me put a cherry picker into the back of a step van and wheeled it up and pulled the motor that way---all the seats have to be out of the way--another thing i have seen at the pickaparts is picking the body up and dropping the front suspension with the motor trans--then pulling it forward to free the motor....

It might be easier to drop the front sub frame (probably have to cut the frame off, I don't think they unbolt), and pull that whole deal out from under the van. I've also heard of guys dropping the motor out the trans side, then lifting the van off the motor.

I did a 360 from an early 80 Dodge B Van, the motor sits behind the dash, it would be a bear to pull with a chain hoist unless you could cut everything above the motor and get it out of the way.

None of it sounds like fun in a junk yard! The one I did was bad enough at my shop with a full assortment of tools, then again, I had to make that van run & drive again. Gene

When I have done it I look for one with no trans, pull the heads and let the short block fall out from underneath, just make sure you are not under the engine when you unbolt the mounts.

Do you have a cordless sawzall? Buy a box of good blades and a stack of batteries and go to town. If the yard allows I'd cut the roof right off and go straight up. There's nothing there that a good set of blades wouldn't handle lickity split!

Would it be worth it to buy the whole van, yank the motor at home, then haul the carcass back for scrap?

After the grill and rad are removed, the 'header' panel unbolts leaving a big hole. Thought about this, and after everything is unbolted and chained, lift and pry motor up with 2x4, drive shaft etc.,it should come out. Or you could spend an hour or two cutting.

we would like to hear how you solve the riddle when you are done....

I would wait and find another vehicle like a pickup or passenger car.