The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop My project is officially a "frame off!"

Well I got my cab and front fenders off yesterday...

I'm Pretty excited at my progress!

For those interested there are some links to pictures at my blog below. Im trying to get better at writing some on there so that I have a story when im done with all of this...

So all I have left is a frame and 2 axles with an engine and steering column...

I think im going to dissasemble the front fenders from the core support to get those parts out of the way but then I'll pull engine. Any advice of sequence? Pull transmission first? I will have an engine stand to mount that to.

I also have to cut all of the junk from a cobbed together hoist frame off the rear as well. I plan to put one back on but this is beyond repair. it looks liek any scrap of metal the PO could find was slapped on and poorly welded in place...

Question about core support: From reading on here I expected two bolts from the frame cross member into the core support. My truck had only one bolt centered. does this mean anything?

Keep up the excitment Tj M, I've been where your at a few times. I'd pull the trans and engine as a unit and take down the trans on the floor, just my way of doing these.I've cut off over 750#'s of steel trusses and brackets and other who knows what steel welded on the frame.I think the suspension came up an inch or so.My 53 GMC 2 ton had 2 core support bolts. Good work,...I love the smell of all the grease and stuff when you tear these trucks down. I wonder if there is a after shave that smells like that?

I love the smell of all the grease and stuff when you tear these trucks down. I wonder if there is a after shave that smells like that?[/quote]
Wouldn't that be cool? Maybe with a hint of WD-40 :-)

....siliKroil smells the best. LOL

I read once where a bolter told of having the "while I'm here syndrome". while I'm here I might as well fix this!!.... and ends up like you, with an off frame resto.
Keep plugging.... a minimun of 15 minutes a day, no matter what. And keep us posted.

I know what you mean...

Mine is more of a.. Not much choice...

I was originally thinking I'd get it serviceable to drive it some even if just around the friends farm for a while before diving in head first... unfortunatly, it just didn't make sense. The cab floor was so far gone it sagged and impeded the pedals and the brakes were non-existant.

Tj M,

Nothing like jumping in with both feet! And you did look before you leaped! Any plan can be tackled as long as you have a sound plan to start with. I am at a crossroad as I am contemplating frame off vs. creeper time. Though mine runs, moves, and stops, needed repairs, cleanup, and detailing would be much easier with out the body in the way!

As far as the aroma, the grease and oils are o.k., but I prefer the mud, primer, and paint! They could call the aftershave "The Shop" or "Restore"!

Good luck and keep us posted on progress!

Hey Tj_M, I forgot to tell you if you pull the engine and trans as a unit be sure to take out the 2 lower bolts that hold the trans on that are inside the bellhousing while it's in the air. The upper ones are outside.

nice... I know what you mean by frame off

here is mine a few months back
Huckster: Frame Off

and where i was as a few weeks aog on the frame:
Huckster: Frame Prime 03

need to finish up the prime, and start on the suspension and members, then i can paint !!

Nice work, BearsFan315

Thanks all for the encouragement!

1936only: Can you please explain? are the bottom two inside an inspection widnow or something? just easier to get to?

Maybe i'll break all the bolts loose while it's still in the frame...

Can I set the engine square on the ground? should I be concerned about crushing the oil pan?

those bolts are only accessible from inside the bellhousing once the lower cover is off, once the engine is on the ground you won't be able to get at them .... as long as you don't drop it, setting the engine on the ground, wedged so it's not tippy, will be fine

Bill

good to know!

I'll prob crack everything loose and remove the bottom two and then pull the engine.

Then I can remove the transmission and get the engine on the stand.

I can search too but how about lift points?

Tj

i used a few grade 8 bolts through the head into the block. i think thats a common way to attatch a chain when pulling the motor.

You can get at the 2 lower bolts by taking off the inspection cover on the bottom of the bellhousing. You'll see 2 bolt heads attaching the trans to the bell housing. And you can take these out or just loosen them up while the engine and trans is in the truck. I usually have a couple of 2x4's around to put the engine down on and stabalize it but I would'nt just take the cherry picker off of it while your working on getting the trans off. I would recomend a engine stand to bolt your engine to while you work on it. Much safer than having an engine fall over and ruin your day.

I'm going to borrow an engine stand from my uncle so I have that covered.

I found other threads about using the head bolts. I may actually buy a couple lifting eyes or eye bolts. Then I'll have good attachemnt points.

Anyone know which positions are good for balance? Otherwise I'll eyeball it..

The on-line 1954 truck manual (if you do not have a hard copy of that manual) shows the recommended lift points.

This has morphed into an engine topic.