Removing engine and tranny from the bottom

[WiggyHD]

This being my first mopar project, I have read on this site that alot of you prefer to remove the engine from the bottom.  I have a motorcycle/ATV jack that has a 1500 pound capacity.  I have jackstands.  I have two questions.  Is my jack stout enough (I don't know how much the engine + K member weigh)?  Can somebody give me a rundown on the proper way to do this?  I have searched, but only found a few parts of the job. 

I also assume that it would be easier to redo the suspension and brakes while it is out of the car.

THANKS!
Mark

[burdar]

Remove the driveshaft and loosen up the torsion bar adjusting bolts.  Take the upper ball joint loose from the upper control arm and let the suspension just hange down.(you will also need to disconnect your brake hoses)  Once the load is off of the torsion bars you can remove the retaining clips and slide the bars out from the back.

Disconnect the rad hoses, trans/fuel lines and all wiring from the engine.  It may be a good idea to remove the radiator just so you don't hit it with the fan.  Then all there is to do is remove the four trans X-member bolts and four K-member bolts.  If you have access to a cherry picker that would be nice.  You can use the cherry picker to lift the car up and off of the engine/trans.

[WiggyHD]

THANKS!  Would it work if I drained and disconnected everything, then put the car up on the jackstands and lower the engine with my ATV jack/lift?  Great tip about the radiator!

Mark

[burdar]

You need to get the front end up fairly high to clear everything.  If you can get the car high enough that should work.   I've seen a lot of guys use the cherry picker method to reinstall the engine.  That's what I'm planning on doing.  That would be my first choise. 

[WiggyHD]

If I can find one, I use that option first.  I don't know how high I can safely get the car in the air.  I do have some 12"x12" blocks I can put under the jackstands.  Dang I wish I could afford a lift!

Mark

[purple1]

Lets ask a few questions first. Do you plan on doing the suspension now? Remember you can not just roll the car around without something up front to roll on. Can you just leave it set after removing the suspension? What engine is in the car? Small blocks and even big blocks can be pulled out the top. I have pulled a small block with the trans in a day out the top. I have even used a tree and a come-along to pull them in the back yard.

For some doing a total restoration, out and in the bottom may be better, but maybe not so in your case. What are the plans for the car?

[WiggyHD]

Great questions!  I won't be using the car until it is done.  While it won't be a "professional" restoration, I will be replacing all suspension components ie:  ball joints, bushings, shocks, springs, bearings, rotors, tie rod ends, etc..  I am going to see if the engine will still run as it did 11 years ago when it was last driven.  Everything will get cleaned, painted, chassis blacked, etc..  This was my older brother's baby.  Only once did he allow somebody to drive it, and that was me to my senior prom in 1984.  He had a stroke last year and was told he will never walk again.  He is.  He was going to put in into a shop for a $50,ooo restoration.  No way.  This is for him.  It will be a driver, but as nice as I can get it.  I expect it to take a year.

Mark

[purple1]

I think you can do this either way. Up to you and what you think you can handle. Good luck with the build.

FYI, mopars never had "blacked chassis".

[WiggyHD]

I think you can do this either way. Up to you and what you think you can handle. Good luck with the build.

FYI, mopars never had "blacked chassis".

Thank you!  What is it supposed to be?  The car has been repainted at some point (badly), and right now it has the proper old Top Banana (?) yellow engine bay, orange exterior (bad overspray), light blue engine (don't know if I like that or not), and black oily (leaky power steering) frame and suspension pieces. 

Mark

[Moparal]

Do your jack stands go up  to get a 3.5 ft clearance out?  The height of the engine, k member and jack will eat that up.  If not doing a rotisery, most just pull from the top, or raise the body off the k member using an engine lift hooked to the rad support or other areas.  then roll it out from under it. Do you have a way of getting the engine off the kmember once it is out from under the car?

[WiggyHD]

I know of an engine hoist I can borrow to take it from my ATV lift/dolly to my engine stand.  I just didn't think it would be stout enough to lift the front of the car?  I probably won't do rotisserie, but I will roll under to clean it up and make the underside look good.  I live a couple of miles from Street and Performance, I have talked to the owner a couple of times and he said that he would help me out. 

Mark

[purple1]

Thank you!  What is it supposed to be?  The car has been repainted at some point (badly), and right now it has the proper old Top Banana (?) yellow engine bay, orange exterior (bad overspray), light blue engine (don't know if I like that or not), and black oily (leaky power steering) frame and suspension pieces. 

Mark

Engine bay should be body color as well as the trunk area. Under the cars should just be overspray of the body color over the primer. Some like to paint the under side body color as well. That does help keep the cars from rusting some.

The K member was black, but most of the stuff under the cars was just left bare metal. Check some of the other threads about what coatings duplicate the original look. Get that engine lift. Pull it out the top. Do the engine compartment. That engine is most likely supposed to be blue. So leave it that way.

After that move on to the suspension and brakes. Think of doing one job till complete before going to another. 

[WiggyHD]

Breaking down one project into several smaller projects...good idea!  Thank you all for your help and advice.  I'm going to take lots of pictures of the process for me (in case i don't remember how something was) and my Brother for before and afters.  I have the carb kit in hand.  First project under way!

Mark

[burdar]

I'd still take it out the bottom but it's your choise.  At the very least, put it back in from the bottom.    

[purple1]

I'd still take it out the bottom but it's your choise.  At the very least, put it back in from the bottom.

I would have said the same thing, but it sounds like he doesn't have the equipment handy.