HELP! Engine crane to small?

[anthonychacon80]

Depends on the car, I can pull the engine from my malibu without removing anything, my prior cutlass' however, I had to butt the hoist right up to the bumper, and use a longer chain to let the engine swing forward once the weight was off the frame. Safer/smarter route would be to remove the bumper, that alone may give the extra room needed, if not remove the header panel (both simple to do). No need to remove whole front clip...

This might work. I have the engine lift plate on the manifold but I also have a nice chain. Where should I mount the chain and does that just clip onto the hook on the crane?

 

[Oldsmoletick]

The cutlass' have extra long noses, compared to the malibus and elcos (without SS nose), I think my 79 olds had a slightly longer nose than my 85 olds did :lol: .

 

[anthonychacon80]

The cutlass' have extra long noses, compared to the malibus and elcos (without SS nose), I think my 79 olds had a slightly longer nose than my 85 olds did :lol: .

THat is why I am wondering if I can just lift from the side. If the distance from the center of the manifold to the edge of the fender is less than the distance from center of manifold to bumper is there any reason I can NOT lift from the side? I already have everything disconnected and the transmission loosened and ready to uncouple once I lift the engine slighly.

 

[Oldsmoletick]

Depends on the car, I can pull the engine from my malibu without removing anything, my prior cutlass' however, I had to butt the hoist right up to the bumper, and use a longer chain to let the engine swing forward once the weight was off the frame. Safer/smarter route would be to remove the bumper, that alone may give the extra room needed, if not remove the header panel (both simple to do). No need to remove whole front clip...

This might work. I have the engine lift plate on the manifold but I also have a nice chain. Where should I mount the chain and does that just clip onto the hook on the crane?

I have never used a lift plate, so I can't help ya there. I've always ran a heavy tow chain diagonally from head to head (accessory bolts), then I make a loop in the chain so it can't slide (bolt, washers & nut). I hook the hoist to chain and go from there. Like I said I would recommend you remove the bumper and if necessary the header panel, it will be much safer for both you and your car. I swung mine out from it s place because I was strapped for time I needed the car to get me to work the next day. To do it I had to stand on the back of the engine hoist to keep it from tipping over because the weight was too far forward. I also had to keep the engine from smashing into the radiator support, not the safest method, I wouldn't do it again.

The cutlass' have extra long noses, compared to the malibus and elcos (without SS nose), I think my 79 olds had a slightly longer nose than my 85 olds did :lol: .

THat is why I am wondering if I can just lift from the side. If the distance from the center of the manifold to the edge of the fender is less than the distance from center of manifold to bumper is there any reason I can NOT lift from the side? I already have everything disconnected and the transmission loosened and ready to uncouple once I lift the engine slighly.

You can lift from the side if you choose, as long as you can lift the engine high enough to clear the fender, and also roll the hoist with the engine suspended in the air (that alone can be a pita), car rolls much easier.

 

[crash]

I pulled the engine out of my Cutlass with a hoist just about identical to that. I had to jack the car up just a little bit and put some boards under the front tires because the hoist would not fit under the control arms. Once I did that, the picker slid right in, though I literally had about 1/4" of space between the bumper and the lift cylinder.

 

[anthonychacon80]

I pulled the engine out of my Cutlass with a hoist just about identical to that. I had to jack the car up just a little bit and put some boards under the front tires because the hoist would not fit under the control arms. Once I did that, the picker slid right in, though I literally had about 1/4" of space between the bumper and the lift cylinder.

how long is your boom? Mine is 50 1/4 inches.

 

[monte olrac]

I had to pull my motor from the passenger side.

 

[cdg1984]

that can't be the only way to do take the motor out Ive never taken a motor out of a cutlass but it shouldn't be like that or atleast i woulndn't think.. again is the boom extended??

It is with that hoist. If its the same, cheap *ss 90-100 dollar one from harbor freight, thats what you have to do....and no its not hard, just look where everything bolts on and unbolt it...wouldnt hurt to have a helper tho.

 

[Phoenyx]

Try going at an angle with it rather than straight on from the front. that works sometimes.

 

[Blake442]

Don't listen to anybody that says you have to pull the front clip. What a waste of time...

Just go from the side over the fender.