Whats the best way in pulling 390 engine? Opinions please

[r71f250]

Well, I am ready to pull my engine. I have everything disconnected and out of the engine bay. The engine is a 390 with a C6 (2wd). I am not pulling the tranny. I have still bolted, the motor mounts and bellhousing. I have pulled many engines in cars but the truck with the front springs fully extended gets to be tall. I am going to use a shop crane

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93840

like the one in the link. Will this extend high enough to completely clear the engine bay without removing the front radiator support or do I need to remove the radiator support? I had a friend who was getting me a cherry picker and that fell through and now I am going to rent one. Engine stand is ready. Want to pull next week. Any advice or suggestions welcomed.

Blessings,
Alan

[ToughOldFord]

I can't say to that specific lift, but mine is similar and it had no problem pulling and installing the engines in my '69. But my truck is a stock 2WD. If yours is a highboy or something tall that might be another story.

Some guys like to pull the entire front clip when they do an engine swap, that does make everything easily accessible, but that's too much unnecessary work for my bones.

[basketcase0302]

One thing I've always done if you're leaving the tranny in, is to support it. I've found a heavy duty ratchet strap works fine and isn't in the way to still get under the truck is need be.

[fordman]

my cherry picker is very similar to that one. i just remove the hood and pull the enigne out. i didnt do anything else other than unhook the engine.

[mkpj1]

A leveler would be nice if you can rent that too. Should be able to clear but if not,..remove the front tires instead of the clip. core can be A LOT of work.

[f100x2]

I pulled my 390 no problem with an engine hoist without removing anything else, but I ended up removing the entire front clip anyway to clean and repaint enerything. With the whole front end off putting the motor back in will be too easy!

[Dragon]

I leave the bell Housing on the tranny, Remove the radiator and water and PS pump and Alternator. Remove the floor pan over he tranny and put a 4*4 over the hole with a strap over the 4 by and under the tranny at the front edge of the cab hole.

At Ford we would jack the rear end up to lower the nose and point it at us for easier removal.

[Alvin in AZ]

The engine is a 390 with a C6 (2wd).
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=93840
Alan

I've got that exact same hoist.
Here's the first time I ever used it...
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/hoist1.jpg
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/hoist2.jpg

Tell me what to measure on it and I'll measure it. :)
If I'm too late, tell me how good it worked out. ;)

We used an Inter-trash-ional ;) boom truck on my 2wd '75 F150 360FE +T18.
I believe I'd like to use something less powerful next time. LOL :)

-------------------

BTW, the two rear straps didn't fit so good, hammered the bends straight and still
the holes were too close together, had to "move the holes" with a large rat-tail file. :)
When I got done, mine are under quite a bit of tension and fiNgured that was kinda cool. ;)

Alvin in AZ

[r71f250]

Thanks guys for all the helpful suggestions and advice. Hope to have the engine on the stand next week. should have the engine to the builder by 2/7... Going to be doing a stroker 455 FE with edelbrock heads and hyd roller cam. Going to be a torque monster. Shooting for 460hp and 560ft lbs. If everything goes right I should have the engine up and running by end of february and gear vendor overdrive... I will update when I get close. Going to have the blocked sonic checked first...

Blessings,
Alan

[Dragon]

I had a 390 that pulled 455 hp and 560 ft lbs no stroker needed and it cruised comfortable at 8mpg.

[DuckRyder]

It will come out without pulling the core support...



Let the air out of the tires if need be but I had several inches of clearance. (I did have to take the hood off, picture is while I'm waiting for help)

I will say if you are planning to clean the engine compartment, it is easier to just pull the front clip.



Sounds like a nice engine and the gear vendors will be nice. Please take many pictures and let us know how it works out.

[Skifu]

I can't say to that specific lift, but mine is similar and it had no problem pulling and installing the engines in my '69. But my truck is a stock 2WD. If yours is a highboy or something tall that might be another story.

Some guys like to pull the entire front clip when they do an engine swap, that does make everything easily accessible, but that's too much unnecessary work for my bones.

I found it to save time in the long haul,If at all possible,pull that front clip,you can get to every thing,or just switch to a six,its almost like cheating,,

[knightfire83]

I have the 2 ton version of that crane. It put the engine in my 4x4 over the radiator support no problems, even with 32" tires. The boom was extended all the way, but it worked good. The 2 ton was also good for removing the cab and box off the frame.

When you go to HF, the crane comes in 2 very heavy boxes, and 1 separate one for the bottle jack itself. Takes an hour or two to assemble. Keep an eye on their sales adds, sometimes you can get their engine hoists at a significant discount.

[eggman918]

I have the other hoist that harbor freight the one that doesnt fold up.
Works fine the core support was in way on my high boy,was necessary to let air out of tires to clear

[70_F100]

I've got this one: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200305213

Great price, works as good as any I've ever used, and came with a free load leveler.

Got free shipping with their "Ship-To-Store" option.