Viva La GMC!

[Xelmon]

It also helps the decision that the Civic had to get a new dizzy, and dad handed me the check for the Jimmy.
So, yet again, it was a close brush with buses that just wasn't meant to be.

On a good note dad managed to get our fork to fit and got the pitman arm off, thus the steering column is finally out!
Poor man also bumped his head really bad. =\

For now the grand plan is removing the dog house, lifting the engine, then lifting the tranny so that the van is easily moveable.
I still have to figure out with dad if we want to save the dog house, or just go postal on it.

Once that's done, my thinking is sealing the deal, bringing the Jimmy into the neighborhood, then moving the Chevy out to Mike's.
This way it'll be 1 trip, and the heaviest part (axle) can be transported in a car.

[tristessa]

Cut the floor around the doghouse and lift the whole thing out, leaving about a 1" lip.

That's what I'd do anyway...

[Xelmon]

Cut the floor around the doghouse and lift the whole thing out, leaving about a 1" lip.

That's what I'd do anyway...

Yep, that's my thinking too.

[Xelmon]

Well, we tried to start cutting apart the dog house so that we could pull the engine... Emphasis on tried, as the sheet metal ate half a cut-off wheel in some 12 inches. Sheesh, talk about 'Murican Metal!
Dad doesn't want to use the gas, and he doesn't have a proper nozzle either.

So new plan, pulling the engine to the front, since the windshield is missing, reposition, then pull it through the passenger door.

Transmission will be pulled in whatever fashion, it's small enough that it doesn't pose a serious threat.

After that? ... Get the Cav on the line. :D

[tristessa]

Cutting wheels are a consumable item, you burn through 'em pretty fast on steel .. even faster if they're from HarF. I usually get mine from Home Depot 'cuz they've got good ones and cheaper than I can get at work even with my discount...

[Xelmon]

Alright fellas, here are the updates of today's toiling. Besides doing FE prep...

THE ENGINE IS AAOOUUTTT!!



Some of the things that we didn't notice at all have been things like the expansion plugs rusting through. That was the reason why I lost coolant at a slow rate.

Went out to grab the cherry picker, and needless to say I was a bit distraught at how entirely short it is.



Oh well, $25 for 24h rental, and being ~10 minutes round-trip driving makes it worth it.

The original idea was the lift the engine to the rear through the big doors... Since the roof is banged up, that was out.
Then came the idea to reach through the front windshield... Well, the hoist it way too short, so that's out.
Then I took a chapter from the "no door" vanner, guys who don't have side cargo doors. They pull the engine through the passenger side, and that's what happened.
It's also much more spacious with-out the seats and engine. :)



Well, it wasn't a completely smooth operation as dad was a bit harsh with the setup and managed to bust off the end-flange of the Powerglide.



Eh, no big, Tris and I also overlooked it. TBH, it's not even that grand of a loss, complete PG's can be had for $100, and even if I stay automatic long-term I'd be rocking a 200R4.
He also wrapped the lift "rope" around a metal fuel line and bent the hell out of it. He'll replace that too, which is mighty gracious of him

The damn thing did a lot of leaking in the last few months it's been there... Wonder how I'll clean that mess up.



Next step in this game of chess is calling in the Cav, and seeing when we can do the Grand Swap.

[Amskeptic]

THE ENGINE IS AAOOUUTTT!!

Next step in this game of chess is calling in the Cav, and seeing when we can do the Grand Swap.

I don't yet get how the engine got out.
Colin

[Xelmon]

THE ENGINE IS AAOOUUTTT!!

Next step in this game of chess is calling in the Cav, and seeing when we can do the Grand Swap.

I don't yet get how the engine got out.
Colin

Engine hoist from the passenger door. :P

[Amskeptic]

THE ENGINE IS AAOOUUTTT!!

Next step in this game of chess is calling in the Cav, and seeing when we can do the Grand Swap.

I don't yet get how the engine got out.
Colin

Engine hoist from the passenger door. :P

My God, if I had to choose between a cab-forward front-engine van and a sensible . . . rear-engine cab-forward van, it just seems a no-brainer.
Colin

[hambone]

Dropping the engine with a jack is so civilized.

[RSorak 71Westy]

Oil dry i.e. cat litter works surprizingly well for removing the oil stain..Pour it on and grind it in and let it sit a while, sweep it up..To remove the last bit of stain, pour some gas on the stain and scrub it w a brush for a second and then hit it with some more oil dry....itll be like new.

[tristessa]

Powdered laundry detergent, bit of water from the hose and a scrub brush.

Or muratic acid: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/how-t ... iveway.htm

[Xelmon]

So...

I'm unofficially $1000 poorer, and officially on Monday.

[hambone]

Technically, DAD is 1k poorer.

[Xelmon]

Technically, DAD is 1k poorer.

Well yeah... I'll hope to one day tag him back for it. :)