how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? - Antique Automobile Club of America Discussion Forums

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#481170 - 01/22/08 09:17 PM how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957?
57wagon 57wagon Member Registered: 02/08/07 Posts: 115 Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA	I want to detail the motor in my 1957 Buick estate wagon...and am thinking it would be easier to do the work OUT of the car. How hard is it to pull the motor and tranny in one piece out of these cars? I am needing to replace the water pump, degrease and repaint the motor, replace a few seals, and then re-install. Am I asking for a whole lot of extra work or is it worth my time?
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#481174 - 01/22/08 09:35 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: 57wagon]
57wagon 57wagon Member Registered: 02/08/07 Posts: 115 Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA	OH, and I am adding a McCulloch Supercharging system to the car as well...how fun is that?!!
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#481175 - 01/22/08 09:40 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: 57wagon]
JohnD1956 JohnD1956 Member Registered: 03/29/03 Posts: 2233 Loc: New York	Nothing is impossible...but it's probably easier to do as separate pieces. The engine and transmission together may overtax some lift equipment. If it is like my 56, after the hood is off and radiator is out, the top of the radiator support can be unbolted, then the unit may come out between the fenders and what's left of the radiator support. But that only gives you the width of the raditor to work with side to side. Theoretically you should be able to pull the transmission off the driveshaft after removing the 4 bolts holding the torque tube to the transmission. I would be real careful putting it back together though. Post some pictures of this in process, and Good Luck. JD _________________________ John C. De Fiore BCA # 3757 56 Super 56R 69 GS 400 Convertible 69 Electra Limited 2 dr.( well, no longer limited although still unique) 95 Riviera Supercharged (sold) 06 Lacrosse CXL Doing my part to stimulate the economy! Member of the UPSTATE NY CHAPTER check it out at http://unybca.skyphix.com/
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#481381 - 01/23/08 04:32 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: JohnD1956]
Bhigdog Bhigdog Member Registered: 10/23/01 Posts: 1473 Loc: Eastern PA	If you don't need the tranny out it's a lot easier to leave it in. I make up an angle iron support and bolt it to the frame side rails to hold up the tranny.....Bob _________________________ Bob Beck 39 Chev PU 69 big block Corvette 55 Buick 66C 57 Buick 46C 55 Olds S-88 56 Chrysler St. Regis AACA, BCA, WPC, USHGA
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#481493 - 01/23/08 10:41 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: Bhigdog]
MrEarl MrEarl Long Time Member Registered: 07/14/03 Posts: 3537 Loc: NE Georgia	I'm interested in hearing more on this too as I hope to finally get around to pulling the engine and possibly tranny out of my 54 (Buttercup). The main difference here is that I have the entire front clip off. Would that rule still apply Bob. If I wanted to pull the tranny too, I assume it would be easier to pull the motor and tranny at the same time. _________________________ Lamar in Athens, Georgia BCA- 39474, 1959 BDBCA-0021, AACA-228846 1954 BUICK "The Beautiful Buy" 1954 Roadmaster 76R, 2 DR HT - DoraB, (Irene,gone down under) 1954 Roadmaster 72R 4 DR - Buttercup, Dakota, Blue Belle, Virginia, Marietta, "High Society" (thank you Paul Meyer) 1954 Century 66R 2 DR HT- "54Muscle" w/3 speed stick(thank you Jim Schilf & Norm Kortus), Mary Jane Verkauft bis ein, wer 54 Buicks in Deutschland liebt, dankt Freund 1954 Special 41D 4 DR Deluxe Sedan 3 speed- Sugar Magnolia
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#481495 - 01/23/08 10:42 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: Bhigdog]
57wagon 57wagon Member Registered: 02/08/07 Posts: 115 Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA	That is a great idea. Gosh knows why I did not think of that! I think I was considering the desire to check the seal at the rear of the trans to the torque tube. But that would be a great easy solution to the problem.
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#481515 - 01/24/08 12:19 AM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: MrEarl]
old-tank old-tank Member Registered: 12/29/99 Posts: 973 Loc: Seguin, TX, USA	Lamar It is definitely easier to pull both the engine and tranny with the front clip off if the tranny needs to be pulled. It can be done with the front clip in place, but a little more tedious...it helps if you have way to change the tilt of the engine during R&R. Willie _________________________ 55 Centurys 63; 63; 66C People who use tools bleed a lot! Keep your mouth open so it doesn't hit you in the face! BuickRestorer
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#481571 - 01/24/08 08:34 AM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: old-tank]
kevinshea kevinshea Member Registered: 03/09/05 Posts: 266 Loc: Home of the Red Sox	yes ..it is much easier all around if you use a leveler when you remove.. a must with clip on, very helpful with no clip.
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#481587 - 01/24/08 09:43 AM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: kevinshea]
MrEarl MrEarl Long Time Member Registered: 07/14/03 Posts: 3537 Loc: NE Georgia	I just bought a new lift with leveler from Northern Tool. Where at on the engine do you bolt the chains of the leveler. I plan on removing the intake manifold, rocker covers and vally pan then cleaning and detailing the engine, tranny and firewall before reinstalling. Is there a way to hook it that will leave these parts accesible for removal and still leave the engine & tranny hanging for detailing. _________________________ Lamar in Athens, Georgia BCA- 39474, 1959 BDBCA-0021, AACA-228846 1954 BUICK "The Beautiful Buy" 1954 Roadmaster 76R, 2 DR HT - DoraB, (Irene,gone down under) 1954 Roadmaster 72R 4 DR - Buttercup, Dakota, Blue Belle, Virginia, Marietta, "High Society" (thank you Paul Meyer) 1954 Century 66R 2 DR HT- "54Muscle" w/3 speed stick(thank you Jim Schilf & Norm Kortus), Mary Jane Verkauft bis ein, wer 54 Buicks in Deutschland liebt, dankt Freund 1954 Special 41D 4 DR Deluxe Sedan 3 speed- Sugar Magnolia
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#481616 - 01/24/08 10:52 AM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: MrEarl]
old-tank old-tank Member Registered: 12/29/99 Posts: 973 Loc: Seguin, TX, USA	I alway R&R with the intake manifold off and use the 4 end holes in the head that held the intake manifold to attach chains. Paint the engine and intake separately, assemble and paint the bolt heads with a small brush. Willie _________________________ 55 Centurys 63; 63; 66C People who use tools bleed a lot! Keep your mouth open so it doesn't hit you in the face! BuickRestorer
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#481708 - 01/24/08 04:52 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: MrEarl]
Bhigdog Bhigdog Member Registered: 10/23/01 Posts: 1473 Loc: Eastern PA	If by front clip you mean fenders and grill,Lamar it's pretty much a no brainer to pull both. In that case I use two rear head bolts to attach the chain. That's about the balance point with trans attached. As the engine comes up you must keep moving the car aft or crane forward for clearance. Moving the car is smoother. When pulling just the engine, all I remove from the engine itself is the carb, generater, and fan. Rather than chain I use a nylon sling under the intake manifold. That's a just rite balance point. But there's lots of ways to skin this cat. I've pulled the engine out of completed show cars and put them back without scratching anything with only my wife for help on the crane. To support the front of the tranny I make up an angle iron cross member with 1/4 X 2 X about 6 flat steel pieces welded on the ends. Just push a 3/8 bolt through a hole in the flat steel and a convient hole in the frame or if necessary drill a hole. With that set up the car is mobile and can be moved, jacked, etc. When it's time to reinstall the engine the tranny is right where you left it. Helpful hint.....I put two or three 1/4" plywood shims between the support and tranny before removing engine. That way when you are reinstalling if you need to drop the tranny just a bit to get everything lined up it's easy to just pry up the tranny and remove a shim or two.....Bob _________________________ Bob Beck 39 Chev PU 69 big block Corvette 55 Buick 66C 57 Buick 46C 55 Olds S-88 56 Chrysler St. Regis AACA, BCA, WPC, USHGA
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#481761 - 01/24/08 09:37 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: Bhigdog]
51dyno 51dyno Member Registered: 03/19/07 Posts: 29	You should find out the weight of the engine & trany,then compair that to the lifting weight of the hoist, the same for the angle changer. I have heard that the theads strip out espcialy the ones made in china.The other thing is if you pull both its a bear to get the drive shaft back in and not damage the seal.
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#481774 - 01/24/08 10:36 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: 51dyno]
57wagon 57wagon Member Registered: 02/08/07 Posts: 115 Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA	well, we are going to pull the motor this weekend. I will be leaving the trans in the car. This way I can detail the firewall, engine and clean the front crossmember and think about installing the power steering I have sitting on the floor. Thanks for your help guys!!!
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#481966 - 01/25/08 04:43 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: 57wagon]
Bhigdog Bhigdog Member Registered: 10/23/01 Posts: 1473 Loc: Eastern PA	The biggest thing is to be very careful and safe. Use GOOD jack stands on solid footing and heavy chains or slings. Let us know how you did........Bob _________________________ Bob Beck 39 Chev PU 69 big block Corvette 55 Buick 66C 57 Buick 46C 55 Olds S-88 56 Chrysler St. Regis AACA, BCA, WPC, USHGA
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#481982 - 01/25/08 05:43 PM Re: how difficult is pulling the motor and tranny out of a 1957? [Re: Bhigdog]
MrEarl MrEarl Long Time Member Registered: 07/14/03 Posts: 3537 Loc: NE Georgia	Thanks guys for the tips. Good luck 57Wagon and like Bob said, be careful.I still have problems gripping anything with my left hand 6 months after my thumb got caught between a 54 Roadmaster rear axle and jack stand. Pictures please... $\:\)$ _________________________ Lamar in Athens, Georgia BCA- 39474, 1959 BDBCA-0021, AACA-228846 1954 BUICK "The Beautiful Buy" 1954 Roadmaster 76R, 2 DR HT - DoraB, (Irene,gone down under) 1954 Roadmaster 72R 4 DR - Buttercup, Dakota, Blue Belle, Virginia, Marietta, "High Society" (thank you Paul Meyer) 1954 Century 66R 2 DR HT- "54Muscle" w/3 speed stick(thank you Jim Schilf & Norm Kortus), Mary Jane Verkauft bis ein, wer 54 Buicks in Deutschland liebt, dankt Freund 1954 Special 41D 4 DR Deluxe Sedan 3 speed- Sugar Magnolia
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