sturmmorser2000

Has anyone done it while the block is in the car?

89C4L98

You really want to rebuild the engine if you’re taking the crankshaft out. Get everything cleaned up by machine shop and have new bearings pressed in.

Gale Banks 80'

Sure, it probably could be done. But what are we trying to do ? New bearings can be rolled in with out removing it. If the Crank needs to be ground then the rest of the Engine probably needs to be gone threw anyway.

sturmmorser2000

Im putting in a new crankshaft and a new rod due to a spun bearing. Ive checked all the others only one rod is bad. The mains look ok too.

stew86MCSS396

Someone on this forum posted that they have done it...from what I understand over a pit.

Gale Banks 80'

Has anybody ever successfully compressed the Rings and installed a Piston from the bottom up in a SBC ?

sturmmorser2000

Id like to know that as well. Would save me alot of work since i changed my head gaskets last year.

ex-x-fire

Is it still hooked to the trans? how ya gonna deal with the flywheel bolts?

AZSP33D

MUCH easier using the engine pull path to crankshaft removal/installation. I'd never try something like that with the engine installed.

s carter

I have changed a crank while in a C-4 L-98(on a lift), to do it trans is out, front of motor off timing chain removed. After that it's nuts and bolts to remove the crankshaft.
So now the down side of doing it This way.
One, crankshafts are heavy and odd shaped hard to get a controlled grip on.
Next with said above you don't want to bang/mark it up trying to get it into the Journals and this is also is a possible hand cutter (8 stitches) from block.

you're next question is can you get the piston in from bottom I'm going with a No SBCs don't have flat piston liners like in Detroit Diesels where it can be done.
So in hindsight would I do it again No not my first choice, with all you need to remove your just a couple of bolts from out, and working in proper light with nothing in your way and don't have a Harry Potter Lighting Bolt scar on your hands and fingers
​​​​
​​​​​​

sturmmorser2000

Remove the rear main cap and rotate it around to get the bolts

RF1

Did it on a 302 Ford. I learned a lot on that project.

383vett

If the tranny is out and the timing cover is off, you are very close to having the motor out, a couple of hours at the most. Do it right and put the motor on a stand. Having oil dripping all over your face and eyes is not fun. The more corners you try to cut the worse the outcome will be.

sturmmorser2000

Trannys not coming off. Im putting a new timing set on it. Oil pans been off for 2 weeks. Its dry inside. Its on custom wood ramps where the bottom of the block is 2 ft up from the ground. Using a floor jack to lift and hold one side while i get the main caps started on the other side and work my way down. Some of that foam shipping stuff wrapped around it on the jack to keep it protected.

s carter

Even with the torque converter slide back I don't think you're going to have enough room to dip the tail end to slide out without hitting TC nor will there be enough to slide it straight down before the front hits the K member and get hung on TC

If you can pull it off great

383vett

How are you going to get the flywheel bolts or flex plate bolts without removing the tranny? If manual, the import shaft snout goes into the pilot bushing in the crankshaft. If auto, the torque converter seats inside the flex plate recess. Good luck.

sturmmorser2000

I need to look at it again i thought i saw the the bolt heads for the end of the crankshaft on the inside of the block

sturmmorser2000

Looks like ill have to invest in one of these
450 lb. Low Lift Transmission Jack (harborfreight.com)