Putting in a new motor

[bilfman]

Hi all . I'm putting in a new 230 in my 46 WDX, I took one out of my other trucks a while back and it was a bear of a pull. Firewall clearance was tight and it was a tough removal.

Any suggestions for this weekends pull? With trans? Without? Any suggestions from experience is appreciated. Just want this to go hopefully as easy as doing my old chevy 😀. I've pulled many engines in my past, but the first flathead pull was a beast, maybe that is the way it just is or am I missing something?

Thanx in advance.

[Desoto61]

Are you removing the front clip to pull the engine? That should give you plenty of room to go forward.

I think the biggest issue with pulling the motor and trans will be the rear engine mounts. I pulled the trans down separately when I did mine, but that was a while ago and I was doing a full disassembly.

[bilfman]

Was planning to keep the sheet metal all on. I had the most trouble clearing the rear motor mounts. I pulled it with the trans left in place. So is it best to drop the trans first?

[Matthew Welcher PWA]

I have also fount it to be so much easier to pull the front clip to remove and install the engine. It just seems to make life easier.

[W_A_Watson_II]

I have also fount it to be so much easier to pull the front clip to remove and install the engine. It just seems to make life easier.

I agree, just had a similar issue clearing the rear drivers side motor mount.

[Desoto61]

There are only a few bolts holding the front clip in place. Two under the radiator, one at the back of the splash guard on each side, the three at the bottom of each fender, and the two cowl support rods.

Only other thing then is the headlight wiring and you can lift all the forward sheet metal off at once with a friend or just the engine hoist.

[bilfman]

Thanx for all the replies and advice, I'm going to take lots of pics and also have a bunch from over the past several months to post. One thing that I found very cool was finding some old marker lights off an REO Speedwagon and turning them into fender mount signal lights, they look period, stock and great.