Body on engine swap

[racecartom]

I'm planning a big block engine swap and would like to do it with the body on. Can I drop the whole engine in or do I need to remove the heads? Same question for removing the 302, heads on or off? Any tips or suggestions?
Thanks.............RCT

[michael everson]

Both should go in with the heads on, headers off. Please not you may need to either come in from the side or get a hoist with extended reach. The engine is a long way back from the nose.
Mike

[racecartom]

Both should go in with the heads on, headers off. Please not you may need to either come in from the side or get a hoist with extended reach. The engine is a long way back from the nose.
Mike

Thanks Mike. Now I can put the BB all together..............tom

[68GT500MAN]

I recently pulled my 427w out of the roadster with the body on. Like mike said it was easier from the side.
Doug

[CraigS]

If you are doing just the engine and the trans stays in the car it's pretty easy from the side. Almost impossible from the front unless you have a special engine crane. Even the small blocks are too heavy and the length of the standard crane too short to come in from the front. I would get a pair of those dolleys that have four wheels and you can set the car's front wheels on. They should get the frame up high enough that the crane legs will fit under it. They will also allow you to roll the car forward once the engine is near the trans. You need maybe 4 inches of car movement to get the engine mated to the trans.

[snakebit31]

I pulled my FE with the body on. Raise the rear of the car as high as you can on jack stands, and come in from the side. I had to remove the passenger front wheel, but it worked. Saw a photo of the Shelby shop back in the day and they were removing engines like that.

Send me a message and I'll reply with my cell. Several of us get together Saturdays at Town Center for Cars and Coffee. We had a pretty active group, but that has dwindled over the years. At one time, about 12 Cobras. My coupe will be on the road this summer, and plan to get everyone active again.

Rob

[racecartom]

What Saturday of the month and what time do ya'll meet? Call or text me at 757 390 7616..............tom v.

[snakebit31]

Tom,
I'll give you a call. We meet every Saturday at The Daily Grind, at the parking lot next to Ruth's Chris, except the first Saturday of the month. Then they go to La Promenade. We are at Town Center from 8-10am, general bull over a cup of coffee. Usually have a few Ferrari's, an occasional Lamborghini, various 'vettes, TVR, Catterham, etc. One of two Superformance and FFR's. Often we will then cruise for breakfast or run down to Pungo, then lunch somewhere. Did I speak with you at the boardwalk show last year? I think I talked with a guy named Tom, but lost the card with the contact info.
Rob

Rob