How do you attach engine hoist to engine to lift engine and transmission out fo car

I never pulled an engine with the transmission attached. I know it can be done but I think you'd find it easier to pull the tranny first or leave the tranny in the car and pull the engine separately. Note the torque converter does not pull off the transmission like newer generation cars. There is a ring of bolts around the torque converter holding it together, BUT there are only 4 of these holding the torque converter to the flywheel.

The factory usually hooks (using a spreader with two chains), onto two sheetmetal eyelets, one attached to the rear of one head, and the other attached to the front of the other head.

The spreader is usually centered closer to the rear of the engine, because the tranny weighs so much (especially an automatic). You want the tailshaft to dip down, so you can lower it into place.

One guy on the tranny and engine mounts (underneath), and his buddy on top with the hoist, works well. After carefull guidance and a few shakes, it will slip together.

The factory builds the engine and tranny together as a subassembly. Tightening bell housings, exhaust manifolds, torque converter/flex plate, and final engine dress, outside the body makes this work a snap.

Modern cars have the engine and tranny already mounted to the #2 crossmember. They hoist the whole thing to the car body, tighten six frame bolts, and bolt the tranny support, one car every 55 seconds.

Attach a chain under two rear most head bolts. that's the approximate balance point of engine/trans. chain or strap under intake manifold is balance point of engine only............Bob

No offense, but I don't think you'll find those eyelets on a 55 Buick engine.

I did not mean to say you can't get the engine and tranny out in one piece but consider this.

Chances are you'd have to remove the top bar to the radiator core support, and maybe the entire core support for the width needed. Also the top grill bar, and for safety's sake the grill too. It's be a shame to crack up a good grill with a low oil pan or exhaust manifold.

In this case I'd be opting to drop the trans from underneath first before pulling the engine straight up and over all that front end sheet metal. But that's just my opinion. Of course , if you already have the front end sheet metal off then haul away.

What you say vis-a-vis removing sheet metal to get engine/tranny assembly out is correct. However there is no need to actually remove the tranny. just disconnect from engine and support it. I made an angle iron temporary X-member to support the front of the tranny. That way I could still roll the car out from under the raised engine. With hood, radiator and fan removed the engine comes out cleanly, straight up, as the car is rolled back slightly (or engine hoist forward) for it to clear the firewall..........Bob

I was always under the impression that on older Buicks with torque tubes you couldn't pull the transmission with the engine because the trany was part of the torque tube.

Not at all, with my 47, it was easier to pull the engine and the tranny together.
The transmission bolts with 5 or 6 bolts to the torque tube.

Bill, how much of the body did you have to take off to get the engine and tranny out as a unit?

Just the hood, I was able to drop the tranny down far enough to get it up over the front grill. Radiator was out too but no body parts besides the hood.

This with a regular hoist and no jack stands. I did use one of those screw type attachers that you can change the angle of the engine. That made it easier.

I covered the fenders with furniture pads.

Nice! And that's with that big straight eight too. I have to hand it to you...I don't think I would have thought of doing that. I imagine you drained all the engine and tranny fluids first.

Thanks for the help

P. Taraschk
55 -43
BCA #36263

I took the entire engine and tranny out at once with two people - cross member was out (above radiator) as was the radiator itself. (I have a 57 wagon - 364 -auto) Going back in the same way.

Remove 4-5 bolts on torque tube, the four bolts on the motor mounts the 6 on the tranny mounts, your ground straps (firewall) Oil pressure and temp senders, exhaust - POP! Out she comes.

I guess you don't need to go this far, but...



For an even larger image, go to: http://photos.aaca.org/data/506/55_Body_Drop.jpg and click once.
TG