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[ChevyTurk]

I would like to pull my drivetrain out myself. I am looking for any tips or warnings you experienced DIY'ers might have before I start. And also would like to know of any special tools or anything I might need.

I do have plenty of hand tools and an Engine hoist. I am already planning on taking the tires of the truck and getting it as low as possible. I am guessing that I will probably have to take the hood off at a minimum. But am I going to have to take off the whole front clip? I was hoping not. Also, do I drain all fluids before hand? (eng. oil, tranny/xfer fluid?)

And this is for a 1987 Silverado with 350/700r4/208.

[ropeman]

Good idea taking the tires off.  You shouldn't have to take the whole front clip off.  Draining the fluids is a good idea.

[BillytheKid]

Take the distributor cap off for removal and install so you don't risk smashing it into the firewall.

[Area51]

I can pull the engine outta the Jimmy without removing the hood but I have pull the tires and set it on jack stands or the hoist won't lift it high enough.

Things to look out for...

throttle cable
TV (transmission) cable
dipstick pulling a wire
wires hanging up on things
grounding straps
distributor cap
balance the engine
auto trans are FULL of fluid (drain all the fluids)

now, drop the tranny and tcase as one unit, pull the engine separately... unless you pull the front clip then get it all at once.

[coonbottom]

Pull the ground to the battery first.
Then positive, remove battery.
Then the wires off the starter.
Take the whole distributor out. Trust me on this one.
Remove plugs. Again, you will be amazed how easy they break so trust me, take them out.
Good luck getting the headers/manifolds off.
Remove any other wiring if need be.
Remove the fan if you are running a manual one. I've smashed a radiator before.
Pretty much remove anything else on the front of the engine. Oh, and disconnet PS pump lines.
Loosen the nuts to the two bolts that hold the engine in.
Unbolt the transmission bell house bolts and the 3 TC bolts.
Drain the transmission but still have a plastic tarp down in. The TC might come off. ...yes. It has happened.


Do anything and everything else you need to do before you drain the coolant. It makes a mess and you don't want to lay in it.

Run a chain front to back on the engine. Take some of the weight off, remove the two bolts that hold the engine in.
Up a little, move out a little, up a little ...etc.

Tada!
When you go to put it back in, pretty much to is reverse order. Mainly, the battery is the last thing.

[coonbottom]

Oh! Are you taking the tranny and tcase out also?

[ChevyTurk]

Thanks guys!

Yes, I will be pulling the entire drivetrain and it won't be going back in. I'll definitely be paying for someone else to do the new engine install and not sure on the tranny/tc yet. I am pretty sure the TC crossmember will need to be moved.

But thanks for all the tips guys. I will start working on this probably every afternoon this week and I think sunday I will try to get it all out.

(PS: anyone want to buy all of it? lol)

[coonbottom]

If you are pulling it all, I find it easier if once you have some tension on the engine with the engine hoist, to pull the tcase then.

There are 8 (i think, or maybe it was 6) bolts on the front of the tcase. Pull those to take it out. It will spill some fluid but this leaves the back of the trans still bolted to the xmember.
Brace the front of the trans/prob something under the trans pan.

Pull the engine.
You can now just push the transmission to the front and sit it on the ground pretty easily.

[Jeepaholic]

One thing that always help me,  and who ever is putting the engine in will appreciate.  put as many nuts and bolts back in place as you can,  and the ones you can't put in separate  zip bags and mark them with a Sharpie .... (starter bolts,  trans bell housing, radiator bolts, etc.)   It is a real pain to figure out what bolts go where unless you do it on a daily basis.

PS:  Cheap cat litter works great for oil absorb.... in any case make you pick up something in-case of a major spill.

Also if you need help feel free to PM me,  I work from home so my schedule is flexible,  I can even bring my compressor and some air tools if needed.

Bryan 

[coonbottom]

One thing that always help me,  and who ever is putting the engine in will appreciate.  put as many nuts and bolts back in place as you can,  and the ones you can't put in separate  zip bags and mark them with a Sharpie .... (starter bolts,  trans bell housing, radiator bolts, etc.)   It is a real pain to figure out what bolts go where unless you do it on a daily basis.

THIS!!!!

[32ihmudrunner]

Yes please so label all bolts that you don't put immediately put back in place. Saves a lot of heartache later on.

[trickjeep]

What ya doing with that 208 thats coming out??Oh and is it a passenger drop?

[ChevyTurk]

What ya doing with that 208 thats coming out??Oh and is it a passenger drop?

Oh sorry, but the drivetrain is gone. 32ihmudrunner got it all for his trouble of pulling it for me.