In the last installment, I prepped the V8 for installation and talked about researching your options. This section deals with diving right in and removing your old engine and everything up to dropping in the new engine.

Removing the old engine:

Removing the entire front clip is a good idea. Installing the new engine will require the grill to be off anyway, so may as well take it off now. Take off the fenders, grill, and front bumper. You will bring the new engine in from the front, and if the bumper is there, the hoist will not be able to move far enough back to drop the new Chevy V8 in place because it is so short.

Removing the old engine is straight forward: disconnect the battery FIRST, then drain all the fluids, unbolt everything, and lift it out. However, if you take the transmission out first, the engine will tilt back, so it needs to be supported. Same the other way around if you take out the engine first.

Get a helper to pull the engine, the inline 6 in particular is heavy and unstable. PLAN on fluid leaking out (coolant lines for example) as you move the engine. Be ready with rags and towels so you don’t slip and fall on the fluids. As you lift slowly, look for any connections you may have missed. I had the V8 on the only engine stand I had, so I had to fabricate a small wooden engine stand for the inline 6. You could also use an old spare tire to set the engine down. If you are selling it (like I did), you will want to be very careful with the old engine.

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The V8

Fabricated engine stand

After the engine is out, remove all the old engine mounts, and clean off the frame rails. Inspect carefully for cracks, rust, and other frame damage like bends from accidents. Surface rust should be cleaned and painted. Cracks or other frame damage should be repaired properly. Lots of power, and an old frame crack could spell disaster. All brake lines, power steering lines, etc should be tied out of the way. I took the opportunity to fill all of the unnecessary holes in my firewall, and install a new battery tray as well. Now is the time while the engine is out of the way to take care of some small things.

A new batery tray

Clean frame rails

Gathering parts:

I like to have everything on hand before I do any project. Otherwise you could be stuck waiting for a part. When choosing your products, you may want to look in street rod and muscle car sources.

Those companies are used to custom engine swaps and have many products which might work well for you (universal throttle brackets, shifter, accessory brackets, etc). Make a complete list of everything you need, and get it ready. Here is what I had on hand (other than tools) before I installed the engine:

Engine (with wires, all accessories, starter, etc)

Transmission

Torque converter

Adaptor (for transfer case)

Engine mounts (more on this later)

Transmission mount (polyurethane is better)

Exhaust headers (Make sure they will work before buying them)

Flexplate bolts (check which type you need, it depends on if your torque converter has brackets or threaded tabs welded on it)

Flexplate cover

Radiator (more detail below)

Fuel line

Vacuum hose

Exhaust gaskets (if you are using headers, get the solid copper kind – get the right shape for your head though)

Copper manifold gaskets