79 engine removal/rebuild

[Boggin]

hey, figured id keep track of rebuilding the 351M on my 79 bronco

doing the rear main seal, most gaskets, clean and paint, and ill see what else needs to be done while its apart.

this is an extremely low budget build.

I started by making a hoist out of 2x6 lumber, and got that done yesterday and got the bronco in the garage, removed the 33's and let her down on a big "tray" on wheels. i think she will clear like this.

today i got 1 motor mount off and the other one i stripped the head off. and got all the bell housing bolts of, radiator hoses out, vacum canister out, windshield washer out, and started to hoist up the motor. the whole truck comes up with the motor and i tried jumping on the truck and nothing. i cant figure out whats holding it in. and it is an automatic, so do i have to take out the trans and everything with it? i really hope not but if i got to then thats all i can do. thanks

 

[84stealthranger]

did u unbolt the torque converter from the flywheel?

 

[Boggin]

no but i really dont see how that would effect it since the motor is stuck on the motor mounts, not budging at all. no way to unbolt the converter since since its all still together. my buddy is bringing his backhoe over soon so that should get the job done

 

[84stealthranger]

is it rusted on or something?

 

[Boggin]

well it hasnt ever been out of the truck, and since only 2 bolts holds the motor in(obviously) you cant expect it to not be seized on after all the torque those bolts held down for 21 years

 

[84stealthranger]

u need a BFH and that back hoe then it might come out maybe a pry bar too idk

 

[Boggin]

or maybe jus start her up like she is to break the mounts free..

haha

 

[4x4b2]

sweet, but yea you definetly need to unbolt the torque converter.

 

[84stealthranger]

or maybe jus start her up like she is to break the mounts free..

haha

haha do it it might work

 

[Boggin]

yes but how? i dont see how i can do that without having the engine apart first

or through the starter hole?

 

[84stealthranger]

yea..nvm just pry it out

 

[Boggin]

lol ok

 

[84stealthranger]

maybe its just so heavy lol

 

[Boggin]

yea from what i heard its between 650-700lbs. its not the windsor motor its the modified, 400 block

 

[4x4b2]

i think on our jeep what we did was just moved the motor forward after taking out the tranny bolts, and got in there and unbolted it