Right after 5 I headed down to the shop. Today is 80° and tomorrow is supposed to rain 40°. I needed to get the truck out of the shop. I put on some music opened a beer, and got to work.
I grabbed a ratchet strap and scooched under the truck from the side to stay away from the lift. I thread the strap around the torsion bars and make it tight when the engine is removed the transmission bell housing will be supported by the strap.
With that job done, I brace myself to pull on the lift to separate the engine from the transmission. I am clearly stronger than I think. The engine comes clean so easily the main pulley embeds itself in the fins of the radiator. Doh! Once I clear that I start pumping on the lift. I’m concerned that it will not be high enough to get over the front core support.
The lift clears the front of the truck and swings free of the truck. The engine is finally out!
Now I have a new issue. Where can I put this engine? My original engine stand has the rover block on it. The new one has the throttle body injection 350 block on it.
For the time being I lowered it to where I could cradle the torque converter in one arm while removing the last bolt with my other hand. I do this while keeping my Texas safety shoed feet away from danger. The torque converter comes free and looks pristine. The bolt stays trapped in the flex plate as does my 15mm box-end ratcheting wrench.
I will get the wrench later for now I need to get the truck out. Of the shop. I tried pushing it the other day and even with tennis shoes on I can’t move it. This is where having a running vehicle helps. I only have a golf cart but it does have a gas engine so I give it a go. The strap attaches to the tow all on the cart and I use a piece of rebar through the receiver hitch pin hole.
So now for an engine stand. I call a few friends to no avail. Oh well Autozone it is. Not as cheap as harbor freight but much closer. I purchased it and left it in the shop for another day.
