Engine install??

[harvenator]

I'm getting ready to pull a /6 4speed and replace it with a 273 4speed in a '65 Barracuda. If I pull the radiator will I be able to remove the /6 and then install the V-8 engine and transmission as a unit? Do I need to have the car on jack stands or can I do this with it on the 14" tires.

I'd like to do this with a 'cherry picker' in my garage rather than having to take the new engine and car to another location. If I have to install the engine and trans. separately it will be a lot tougher as a 1 man operation. I do have a motorcycle jack I can use to get the tranny lined up but working by myself on the floor is no picnic. Hence the preference to try to install as a unit.

So c'mon guys, I know someone out there has tried this method. I want to hear about your success, failures, frustrations etc.

 

[dart4forte]

If possible I would drop the complete front end, install the motor and lower the car down over it the way the factory did it. It won't work going in as a unit. You'll have to install the motor first and then the tranny fron underneath.

 

[Fstforward]

I put a 273 + tranny(4-speed) in my old '65 Barracuda as a unit way back in time, 1975, I think. Lifted the ngine up with a come-a-long, slowly wheeled the car underneath while working the engine downwards, and massaging it into place, was a little tricky, but once the engine was in place and the motor mounts bolted up, jacked the car up and put the crossmember and rear mount on.

FF

 

[BigSlim]

Yes you can install them as a unit. Take the hood off, put it on jack stands and have at it. If its your first time doing an install i would recommend trying to find someone to help. Having an extra st of eyes and hands can really make the difference.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Fstforward]

Yes you can install them as a unit. Take the hood off, put it on jack stands and have at it. If its your first time doing an install i would recommend trying to find someone to help. Having an extra st of eyes and hands can really make the difference.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Ditto. I had my Dad and 2 friends, and it was still slightly tricky,

FF

 

[chryslerfat]

One thing when I put mine in and out as an assembly is drop the centerlink for the steering. It is pretty much in between the engine and transmission.

 

[Flatlander]

Be safe and get plenty of help.

 

[pettybludart]

Yes you can install as 1 unit,it helps to have the car up on stands for more clearance,hood off also.Good luck.

 

[65Vart]

1 unit, inch by inch, 2 guys.

 

[daves66valiant]

Yep can be done both ways. I personally will never do it from the top again. Build up your 273/4-speed all nice and pretty. Clean up your K-frame, paint it, replace any bushings as necessary then place the motor, tranny and k-frame onto a homemade moving dolly. Voila!!!

 

[needsaresto]

I pulled a 400/727 combo from a c bod as a unit on extremely tricky terrian...Hmm,where is that thread? Anyways,a load leveler really helps when going in from the top.

 

[169dart4y]

You can't see the garage door but there isn't enough room to clear the front of the car.
If had a big shop with rolling 10' door it would have been nice ! But I did it in a tract house two car garage . Can't complain I have seen it done in smaller area's .

If you want to do it in your garage put the car up on jack stands slide the tranny under the car through wheel well with tire off of course. Then you will have to lower the whole car onto blocks to get height to clear the front cross bar of car . Ask me how I know?
I used my cherry picker and it was still close to the garage door when the motor was all the way up and the car down on 4x 6 blocks. Jack stands were still to high to roll the cherry picker under the car and have the motor clear the garage.

 

[65BCODA]

Yep, from underneath is the way to go, if possible.

 

[racingsnake440]

It's easy enough to drop in from the top. Last time I put the 318/4 speed in my '63 I didn't even take the hood off. Get the rear up on jackstands as high as you can and just get the front high enough so the engine hoist will roll underneath ok - it means you don't have to angle the motor and trans so much to drop it in. Take the center link off too.

 

[harvenator]

Man -- I really like that aseet up. Unfortunately, I'm not quite set up that way. I will investigate doing this from underneath at my friends house (he has a lift), but am inclined to go the jackstand route and possibly jack up the rear of the car as suggested in another post. I never thought of that. Then again -- that's why I solicited other peoples' thoughts. Last time I did a motor swap was 1973 on a '64 Barracuda. Wish I still had that car now. I traded it in to a chevy dealer in Biloxi, MS for a 73 ElCamino.
Any readers from down there remember a black '64 Barracuda with V-8, 4spd, fenderwell headers and traction bars in 1973?

 

[4spdcuda66]

Just be sure that your help is competent and sober.8)