The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster
Wow, first post and responds to my thread! Thanks and welcome. The firewall block off plate is made by Andy F./AR Engineering. I got it from Mancini Racing.
So in other news, the engine is out. Took a little time this AM to finish it up. Came out without issue really. Took my time, probably took about 4 hours total between yesterday and today.
Kind of made me think back a little to when I first started messing with cars about 20 years ago. Engines and drive train parts were intimidating to me and pulling one out seemed like a huge job that was beyond my capabilities. Eventually though, I became a tech. and ended up doing it for a living for a few years. And really, the main reason I became a tech was to be able to work on drive train stuff and dive into engines. I did it and I loved it but I'm not a tech these days so I only get to do it for fun now.
So obviously it's not so intimidating anymore. Engines and drivelines really just became parts of the car that either worked or didn't. Taking them out to replace or rebuild them was an everyday occurrence for me for a while. It's good to have that kind of experience under your belt but I'm sort of glad I'm not doing it anymore. The fun gets taken out of it in a production environment.
Regardless though, I still feel a sense of accomplishment when an engine comes out. It's really not a small job by any stretch. You also need a lot of tools and equipment to get it done efficiently and safely. Everyone knows that but it's still worth mentioning. I hardly ever use my giant cherry picker or engine stand and they take up a lot of room but I'm glad I have 'em when I need 'em.
Anyway, I took a few pics while hoisting the engine out. Nothing earth shattering, just a guy in a garage pulling a motor.
Before I attached the hoist, I cleared a bunch of things out of the way including the radiator, water pump and the right angle oil filter adapter. I did not remove the hood so taking out those things allowed me to slide it forward and then pull it out. I had plenty of clearance. I used a chain attached diagonally to the accessory bolt holes in the heads.
First time loose in a long time. Note headers bungee corded out of the way.
Plenty of clearance, Clarence. My cherry picker seems bigger than I remembered.
Ye olde 340 out of it's home for a while. I thought I had noticed a coolant leak at the back of the block and sure enough, one of the freeze plugs was weeping. The rear main was typically soaked. The flex plate bolts were in good, I needed an impact to get them out.
Ever get that empty feeling?
Off the hoist, on the stand, ready for tear down.
More to come!
Wow, first post and responds to my thread! Thanks and welcome. The firewall block off plate is made by Andy F./AR Engineering. I got it from Mancini Racing.
So in other news, the engine is out. Took a little time this AM to finish it up. Came out without issue really. Took my time, probably took about 4 hours total between yesterday and today.
Kind of made me think back a little to when I first started messing with cars about 20 years ago. Engines and drive train parts were intimidating to me and pulling one out seemed like a huge job that was beyond my capabilities. Eventually though, I became a tech. and ended up doing it for a living for a few years. And really, the main reason I became a tech was to be able to work on drive train stuff and dive into engines. I did it and I loved it but I'm not a tech these days so I only get to do it for fun now.
So obviously it's not so intimidating anymore. Engines and drivelines really just became parts of the car that either worked or didn't. Taking them out to replace or rebuild them was an everyday occurrence for me for a while. It's good to have that kind of experience under your belt but I'm sort of glad I'm not doing it anymore. The fun gets taken out of it in a production environment.
Regardless though, I still feel a sense of accomplishment when an engine comes out. It's really not a small job by any stretch. You also need a lot of tools and equipment to get it done efficiently and safely. Everyone knows that but it's still worth mentioning. I hardly ever use my giant cherry picker or engine stand and they take up a lot of room but I'm glad I have 'em when I need 'em.
Anyway, I took a few pics while hoisting the engine out. Nothing earth shattering, just a guy in a garage pulling a motor.
Before I attached the hoist, I cleared a bunch of things out of the way including the radiator, water pump and the right angle oil filter adapter. I did not remove the hood so taking out those things allowed me to slide it forward and then pull it out. I had plenty of clearance. I used a chain attached diagonally to the accessory bolt holes in the heads.
First time loose in a long time. Note headers bungee corded out of the way.
Plenty of clearance, Clarence. My cherry picker seems bigger than I remembered.
Ye olde 340 out of it's home for a while. I thought I had noticed a coolant leak at the back of the block and sure enough, one of the freeze plugs was weeping. The rear main was typically soaked. The flex plate bolts were in good, I needed an impact to get them out.
Ever get that empty feeling?
Off the hoist, on the stand, ready for tear down.
More to come!