[Paulryder]

I am removing the 389 from my 66 GTO and I just discovered that my 1 ton engine hoist won't reach to middle of the engine when extended all the way. Do I have to remove the front end to get far enough in to get it out? Would a 2 ton hoist have a longer reach?

[goatmanmitch]

I have a 2 ton hoist and it needs to be extended as far out as it goes to reach the middle of the engine, and there is only an inch or so between between the hoist and the front bumper.

[Greg Reid]

How about from the side? Lift it up then push the (much lighter) car back out of the way, then let it down.

[b-man]

Buy or borrow a 2-ton hoist with a boom long enough to do the job. Mine barely clears the front bumper as well.

Pulling all the front sheet metal off the car is totally unnecessary and just creates an adjustment nightmare.

[Paulryder]

Originally Posted by b-man

Buy or borrow a 2-ton hoist with a boom long enough to do the job. Mine barely clears the front bumper as well.

Pulling all the front sheet metal off the car is totally unnecessary and just creates an adjustment nightmare.

I think you're right on the mark. I looked things over and I don't want to pull the front off. Thanks.

[Paulryder]

Originally Posted by goatmanmitch

I have a 2 ton hoist and it needs to be extended as far out as it goes to reach the middle of the engine, and there is only an inch or so between between the hoist and the front bumper.

Thanks for pictures and info. I just found a Harbor Freight 2 ton hoist on Craigslist that I'll go check out tomorrow.

[Paulryder]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

How about from the side? Lift it up then push the (much lighter) car back out of the way, then let it down.

Good suggestion but the hoist still comes up short. Thanks.

[GT182]

Make sure you remove the hood first Paul.

Doing from the side works. With the hood out of the way you can roll the engine stand back and clear the car... if you have enough room in the garage.

[geeteeohguy]

When I pulled the engine on my '67 in 2011 for a re-seal job, I didn't even remove the hood. But I used a 2 ton hoist that gave me a lot of range of motion.

[GT182]

The "leveler" comes in handy too for the angles needed to get it out without damaging anything.

[hgerhardt]

You don't need to remove the hood on a '66. With a helper holding the hood up, remove the front 2 bolts of the hinges where they bolt to the fenders and loosen the rear ones and then swing the hood up until the rear corners rest on the upper cowl section of the body next to the cowl grille. Before tilting the hood back put cardboard at the corners of the hood to keep from scratching the paint . Then use a nylon strap or rope to hold the hood up by tying it to the rear bumper.

The hood will go about perfectly vertical when it bottoms out. It's completely out of the way for pulling the engine. I've done this several times and so much easier than removing the hood.

[400 4spd.]

And if you don't have a rear bumper, a tree limb will do.

[thepontiacman]

My friend bought a long steel rectangular tubing and drilled holes in it to use with his engine hoist. It is adjustable for different front ends, as he works on many different vehicles. The end has a chain and hook just like the regular bar that came with it.

Hope this helps

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by thepontiacman

My friend bought a long steel rectangular tubing and drilled holes in it to use with his engine hoist. It is adjustable for different front ends, as he works on many different vehicles. The end has a chain and hook just like the regular bar that came with it.

Hope this helps

We should add that the wheels have to be extended longer than the arm reach also, to avoid tipping.

[6 Grrrs]

Simple to do with the hood off. Can be done with hood on, but not tough to re align hood when reinstalling and with hood out of the way much easier getting to the back of the engine. However on this project I was converting to EFI and do a bunch of wiring and work on the back of the engine to hide it all.

[thepontiacman]

You can always have a friend stand on the back of the engine hoist to avoid tipping. ha ha.

We just had a extension long enough to do the job. Never had a problem with tipping.

Good Luck with your project.