Hi Tom,
It makes sense to Me. I used to pull motors when
I was younger...Used a tree branch. Im not planning
on removing the engine till next
year.But the GMC might
have diffrent plans .
See Ya,
Rob Teed 74 Painted Desert Lansing Mi
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto
wner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Henderson
> Sent: Sunday, November 01, 1998 12:56 AM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: engine removal
>
>
> Rob: sorry, I'd like to help out but that engine rebuild was
> about 10 years ago and I have long since dismantled the
> contraption I used to get the 455 out of the coach.
> In any case, my specs would likely not help you since I have an
> 23' coach with the entry door directly behind the passenger
> seat. The concept should still work though, on a 26' coach.
> What I used was:
>
> a rollable engine crane -- rented from the local Rent-all store
> a chain hoist -- I had one already, but this can be rented too;
> a chain hoist trolley -- I borrowed one, but this can also be
> rented; It turned out I didn't need the tilter leveler, as the
> chain managed to pull the engine straight up.
> a length of " I " beam, long enough to span from dash to past the
> door -- picked one up at a metal scrap yard for less than
> $20;
> some 2X4's, 4X4's and some bolts -- these are to build the beam supports
>
> Envision a long "sawhorse", with one upright end built shorter
> than the other, to accommodate the engine compartment height.
> The ends of this sawhorse are built out of 2X4's & 4X4's, and
> support the " I " beam. The support heights were measured from
> the ceiling, getting the bottom of the beam as high off the floor
> as possible with still room to maneuver a trolley on the
> beam.
> I removed the front seats, covered the carpet, placed the " I "
> beam sawhorse in place, from dash to door. The trolley was
> placed on the " I " beam, and from it hangs the chain hoist that
> pulls up the engine.
> (The only challenge I can see for a 26' is how you would get a
> longer beam the coach. Angle it though the window?)
>
> I'm assuming that anyone considering doing this themselves will
> have some knowledge on how to unfasten everything for an
> engine removal.....there are some parts that are best removed (ie
> fan) for an easier extraction. The GMC manual is of course
> an important guide!
>
> With everything loosen, the chain in place on the bolts of the
> intake manifold in such a manner as to balance the lifting,
> the hoist lifts engine, transmission and final drive all out as
> one unit. Once out of the compartment, hanging by chain hoist
> on the " I " beam trolley, the whole unit can be scooted down
> the beam to the door.
>
> There I had placed the engine crane, outside the coach with it's
> arm sticking inside the doorway. The transfer from " I "
> beam to crane arm was made by hooking the arm to the link of the
> chain hoist, and lifting the crane arm up thereby releasing
> the tension on the trolley. With the engine unit hanging on the
> end of the crane, I rolled the crane back, moving the engine
> unit out of the coach. Next step was to roll the crane and
> engine to the pickup, load it all into the back and take it to the
> shop for rebuild.
> Easy, yes?
> Actually it wasn't all that bad. I got everything ready one day,
> including building the supports for the beam. The next day
> I had it all done and even had time left to drive the engine to
> the shop. Putting it all back was a little harder though,
> 'cause then it was not just a matter of loosening and raising,
> but also of alignment for refastening. I fortunately had a
> helper for that!
>
> If this doesn't make sense, and if you'll send me your fax
> number, I can send you a conceptual drawing.
> Best of luck!
>
> Tom - Houston
> 76 Birchaven
atri63
