engine removal

[96firebirdgt]

does anybody have any experience taking out the 3.8l out the top with a engine hoist?

so far i have everything taken care of as far as connections, hoses, and transmission, but was wondering how people pull it out with the hoist, should i just use chains on the two corner lifting mounts?

will lifting with chains bend the lifting mounts inward since they look pretty flimsy?
is there an easier method to pull out the engine without pulling it from out of the bottom of the car?

not trying to sound stupid but i could not find much info on how to pull the engine and the manuals that i have dont talk that much on the 3.8L, any info would really help

[3.4 slow to go]

go ahead and pull the radiator. SOme have removed form the top w/o doing it, but why take a chance. The lifting ears work, as that's what I used to dropthe 3800 in my car. The most funnest part of this operation is putting it back in.

[96firebirdgt]

i have taken out the radiator and the condenser, and the top of the intake manifold

[96firebirdgt]

but will those lifting mounts bend? and should i use chains to pull it out?

[OneQuickV6]

use the lifts, OR you can pick any of the multiple thick bolts on the front of the block or head mounting things up to put the chain on. They may look flamsy, but they are there for exactly that purpose.

[shock_core]

can't you just lift the front of the car up and leave the engine just sitting there?

[mike h]

Originally posted by shock_core:
can't you just lift the front of the car up and leave the engine just sitting there?

that would be similar to picking up your bed and moving it to get to a shirt that is underneath. it is easier to move the lighter part. plus you would need to disconnect everything and have the engine hoisted in the air to do it, why not just lift the engine then?

[Distephano]

Originally posted by mike h:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by shock_core:
can't you just lift the front of the car up and leave the engine just sitting there?

that would be similar to picking up your bed and moving it to get to a shirt that is underneath. it is easier to move the lighter part. plus you would need to disconnect everything and have the engine hoisted in the air to do it, why not just lift the engine then? </font>[/QUOTE]Have you pulled the 3.8 out the top? It may be somewhat less work, but it is by no means easy. I did it last spring, and it was a hell of a job. Its a REALLY tight squeeze between the cowl and the K-Memember.

[Coriya71]

It wasn't that bad, I have afew pics on my cardomain site. Loosen the k a little, remove the TB, radiator, and fans, and viola'.

[1998silverbird]

Take off your coil packs and headers if you can..

[3.4 slow to go]

I've seen pics of both bays, from up top & from below. No, the tabs won't bend. I took this puppy
in and out a couple times using the tabs. Yeah having no cowl overhang is a curse I must bare ;) ,

[96firebirdgt]

i took out the engine out of the top a week ago and that was with the upper intake off, i had no clearance issues by doing this i will post pics soon

[tWiStEdBird]

Good stuff. You drop it in yet? Let us know how that goes.