Important last minute questions before I start

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Important last minute questions before I start

November 04, 2008, 07:13:05 PM

When pulling the 3.8 out of my car, can I also leave the AOD attached?
The book I have says, using a lift plate, the aluminum intake wont hold the weight of both engine and transmission.
Is there a better way of pulling them both at the same time?

and the bonus question.............
Is there a "how to" around here, that explains the easiest and safest way to remove the front struts and springs? (both front springs are broken on the first bottom coil)

Jerry

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #1 – November 04, 2008, 07:39:32 PM

Bubba, You come to the right place, Who cares how you get it out, Gettin in is where you care.LOL.
I'll pm you on the 2nd ?.

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #2 – November 04, 2008, 08:16:48 PM

i thnk you will like what im about to post...brb

For the SPRINGS/Struts
ok,, the tool i made during my control arm bushing replacement>http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=16294&page=2

For the engine>
dont use the intake,, use the side of the head on an available bolt hole. Use the driver rear head and the pass front head / visa versa to lift the engine out. Incase you decide you want to keep the transmisison in the car,,, then do this....in the pic below.
btw,, that yellow / red / green paint mark on your torque converter to flywheel means something. I ran across information in my shop manual on the color coding as well with respect to "grade". Basically the flywheel - torque converter should line up by those two marks. I never hear anyone talk about this though so its probably not that important. My torque converter was marked yellow-mid grade.

also,, note the pass side motor mount being closer to the trans bell housing than the driver side. I tired like hell to pry these specs from chuck back when I was making my solid mounts. I had to do my own measurements in order to locate the place on my flat steel i needed to drill my hole that the insulator / motor mount passes through.

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #3 – November 04, 2008, 09:24:37 PM

Thanks, I remember that project.

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #4 – November 04, 2008, 09:41:37 PM

When i did the balljoints on my girls 88 ls , i supported the car and lower control arm with a jack... and it seemed that if i kept lowering the jack on the control arm, it would open wide enough to just drop the sring right out.... i dont really know if it would work... but id try it... id probably use a hydraulic jack and hide myself behind the fender so i dont get hit by a flying spring........

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #5 – November 04, 2008, 09:52:33 PM

Quote from: massCougarxr7;241688

id probably use a hydraulic jack and hide myself behind the fender so i dont get hit by a flying spring........

just a side note.. this would be good enough for an outside job, if your potentially ganna let the spring fly, make sure theres not a wall like in a garage for it to hit and fly right back at you. treat it like a super bouncy bowling ball.

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #6 – November 04, 2008, 11:48:55 PM

Quote from: ~AC;241690

just a side note.. treat it like a super bouncy bowling ball.

LOL,
That's funny
True, but funny

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #7 – November 05, 2008, 12:32:25 AM

I used one of those inner spring type spring compressors. Along with a hydraulic jack once the compressor is in there just so it all goes slow. With broken front springs nothing major to remove. More work to install the new non broken ones. While the spring is out you might just want to remove the whole arm and blast and paint/coat them along with new balljoints and bushings.

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #8 – November 05, 2008, 02:25:42 AM

here is what i do know,,,,,everyone else here says to just lower the control and pry the spring out. I guess i chickend out.

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #9 – November 05, 2008, 07:43:08 AM

Quote from: ipsd;241741

I used one of those inner spring type spring compressors. Along with a hydraulic jack once the compressor is in there just so it all goes slow. With broken front springs nothing major to remove. More work to install the new non broken ones. While the spring is out you might just want to remove the whole arm and blast and paint/coat them along with new balljoints and bushings.

This was also my first thought.
I don't know how happy I would be to just let the pressure off the spring without something holding it together.

Everything will be taken apart, blasted and painted. I just want to live to tell about it. :D

Important last minute questions before I start

Reply #10 – November 05, 2008, 08:34:19 AM

i use a wratchet strap to teather the spring to the car and lower the control arm but i use spring compressers as well. i know a kid that shattered his cheek bone and eye socket with a spring.