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Hi everyone, I just bought a 49 that may have a bad motor. If I need to pull it out what is the best way? Should I pull motor and transmission together? Is there anything that I should know that would make it easier? I live in NH and am investigating what may be wrong, please let me know if you have any tips or hints.
thanks, Dave
I would pull the transmission first then the engine/bell housing. If you do it all at once that's one long heavy hunk of cast iron! If the rest of the car is in great shape mechanically this next part wont apply, but if it needs brake, suspension, etc...work this is what I usually do. Start by pulling the floor pan out. Not as bad as it sounds. Pull the front carpet then a dozen or so bolts. This allows you to easily get to the transmission and master cylinder. Then if you really want to get serious pull the whole front clip off. I know, a BIG job. But this allows you access to everything that is worn out. Far easier than reaching over or under those big fenders.
Tim Mabry
The Lost Cause Garage
47 Suburban
57 Sportsman 4dr HT
Dose the motor turn or is it stuck? It may be worth your while to pull the cylinder head and look at what is going on in there. You'll be able to see if the cylinders are rusty and access the valve to see if they are stuck. That will give you an idea of how much work needs to be done. If it has been sitting a long time, I'd be very gentle in turning it because even though the crank may turn, you might have a valve stuck down.
Do you want to getting it running and drive it? Or...do you plan on taking it apart to restore it? Please post some pictures
Good Luck
Steve
Thanks for the replies--The car does turn over and has spark and gas but not much compression. I just pulled the head off and dont see anything glaringly wrong. Valves move, no bad pistons etc--I will clean it up and have the head checked, it may be warped or the head gasket may be bad. I will update when I know more.
Dave
With the head off you can go ahead and easily do a valve job, It is also a fun and easy job to do the rings. If you want to get it running and driving, that might be the way to go.
Have a nice day
Steve
Here is a long overdue update. After pulling the head I had it checked it out. I was told that it had a "funky twist " in it and he removed 12 thousandths to make it flat. The rest of the motor looked pretty good so I got a new headgasket and put it back together. The car started and runs pretty well. I need to check the carb because it is running rich and need to do something with the choke, it doesn't work at all. Thanks for your advice.
