Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Looking to see whats the best/easiest way to do this? my donor truck is a 2001 yukon DBW 2WD. im needing the engine, trans, wiring harness, TAC module, and gas pedal assembly.

ive started with the obvious, front hoses, intake and filter box, clutch fan, belts, A/C hoses, alternator. i know i will still need the power steering lines disconnected, and i will probably pull the top intake to give me more room. also planning on cutting the exhause right under the pipes.

also, are you guys pulling engine and trans together or seperate? just trying to find the easiest route.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Sounds like you got a handle on it..pulling all at once is easier to me

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Cut exhaust down stream of primary O2 sensors so you can re-use the down pipes with the O2 bung. Keep trans and engine together. Remove all hoses and wires but leave wire harness on engine. Pull front end of vehicle off: bumper, grille, lights, radiator, condenser, core support, engine stands, etc. Lift engine trans slight and pull straight out the front.

Usually, hood can be placed in the service position and not need to be removed.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Don't bother trying to cut the exhaust with an acetylene torch. There's enough anti-oxidizing properties to the metal that GM used in the exhaust that's it's practically impossible to burn it away with a torch. You have to blow it away with the o2, which is slow and expensive. Instead, cut the exhaust with a grinder or a reciprocating saw.

Remove the radiator support. Remove everything you can off the engine. Most of it comes off very quickly. The front accessories, intake, and coil packs should all be gone within an hour or so. By removing this stuff, you reduce the risk of damage while pulling the engine, particularly if you pull it with a skidloader like I did.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I thought the 02 sensors get deleted?

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Only rear O2 sensors are typically deleted. Saws All on the exhaust. If the cats are there cut them off and use them or sell them to the recycler. Have extra blades on hand. I would remove the engine/trans wiring harness, pull the engine/trans as one and then disconnect the wiring harness from the engine compartment. Take all small parts (bolts,clips) just in case.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

good advice. I pulled the steering pump and bracket, the intake, and fuse box tonight. getting closer

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

What about “where to lift from?”
I’m about exactly the same point as Kev currently. Old SBC I’d use a couple bolts in the heads. Will that be fine with aluminum heads? I’m leaving the trans connected.
Thanks and hope you don’t mind the hijack

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

i made a couple of lifting brackets similar to whats on a smallblock..that bolt to the end of each head..they hold just fine..depending on what harness you go with those factory o2 sensors may not work anyway..i know on the PSI harness they give you the #s for the ones you need

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I'm actually sending this one off to the guy that lt1swap recommends so he can rewire it.

fourspeed , they sell ls lifting plates that bolt under where the intake mounts. I believe you pull that plate and then bolt on the lifting plate. I will be needing that soon myself

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I like to use an engine leveler on my cherry picker. 4 some what short chains attached to the front and rear of both heads. The leveler helps with adjusting the engine tilt. The four chains seems to help keep the engine more level from left to right.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I actually bought a leveler earlier this year for this project but then seen that valley plate lift so I ordered one

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I really despise removing the engines out of the 4x4 ones. There is little to no room to get the bell housing bolts out. This especially sucks doing it in a pick n pull. :lol:

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

ya I hear they are tougher lol.

I completely got my harness and pcm out yesterday...wasn't all that bad. think all I have left is to cut the exhaust, pull the driveshaft, and unbolt the motor mounts and trans mount. I pulled the radiator but nothing else up front so I'm hoping the trans will clear the core support coming out.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Most LS engines have a lifting bracket on the left rear head (intended, I believe, for a special clamp). I drilled the bracket to be able to bolt a chain to it. This worked well when I first installed the engine completely dressed. Later I learned it is much easier to bolt a leveling bar to each head with the engine naked...ie no intake manifold, coil packs, or accessories.

FWIW, the front or primary O2 sensors are necessary as they fine tune the air/fuel mixture. The rear or secondary O2 sensors have no affect on the air/fuel ratio and cannot control anything. Their only purpose is to monitor the efficiency of the catalytic converters.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

good thing I asked you guys, I was going to cut it right under the headers

got the front core off and have plenty of room now.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

David..do you have a pic of the lifting bracket you said comes on the engine?...I've never seen one on any of the engines I've pulled

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I wonder if it's this one?

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Could be..maybe assembly line bracketry?...none of mine have that though

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

It's actually a guard for the fuel rail. If the vehicle is ever in a bad enough front end collision, that bracket is supposed to protect the fuel rail from being shoved into and through the firewall preventing an inside the passenger compartment fire. I've removed the ones I've LS swapped. I actually used one to make a Z bar ball stud mount on my Camaro. :lol:

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Yes, this is what I’m talking about. Assumed assembly line bracket. I drilled a hole in it for a chain bolt

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

If so, why would it not be on both sides as both sides of the engine have a fuel rail.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

finally got it out. wasn't all that bad for my first time pulling the core support and radiator made it sooooooo much easier. thanks for all the help guys....can't wait to start the repairs

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

Good deal

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I'm getting ready to post this donor for sale but I'm having trouble getting the tac wiring out. I have the pedal pulled and tac module but I do t see how the wiring harness comes out and what's supposed to get cut. any help?

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

figured I'd post in this thread since I had a few people checking in.....huge disappointment tonight

figured I would drain the oil before pulling the trans off.....

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

drive side valve cover

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

You would have to cut both ends of the TAC wiring harness to get it out of a 2001. The easier solution is to get a harness out of a 2003 truck since they're a separate harness. Otherwise, just splice the wires back together to fit your application.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

This is why I always pull a valve cover before buying an engine. Did you drive this truck?

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

oh man..!!!!...that sure sucks..!!!!!

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

yup drove it home about 10 miles ran pretty good actually...just was overheating but I figured it was either these notorious clusters or the radiator or thermostat. I don't really know where to go from here. I was really hoping not to rebuild...I heard water in the oil can spin the bearings but tbh I don't even know how to look for that lol

no smoke either and it sounded pretty good imo.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

What a bummer. Was the truck in a flood? That's a lot of water. I suspect it can be saved but it will need to be a complete tear down and rebuild. Need to check for cracks in the cylinders and heads. I would pull the pan on the trans.
Still a bummer but you can build it back better. Lots of used stuff over on LS1tech.com.
I had something similar happen to me. Bought a "low mileage" (40,000) LS1 engine and 4L60E trans many years ago. Pulled the pan and front cover to just check stuff. Shiny chunks in the pan and a very loose timing chain. Took it to engine shop and it wasn't pretty. More like 240,000 miles. Put in good rods and pistons. New bearings. Small cam. The block and heads were sound. Heads got a slight port job along with a valve job. Its been in my 98 Wrangler for 13 years. It runs great.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

well the clock on this one was about 230k. supposedly was a mechanics truck but damn lol I got it from my buddy's auction he's a wrecker driver and pulled it in and the guy never got it. that's why I figured everything was good with it. I bought it last November and brought it home...only cranked it like twice the whole time it was here before pulling it in the driveway last week to pull it.

I'm going pull the heads tomorrow and see what I can find. guess it's hard to tell with out the heads pulled and oil pan off. I'm hoping it's just a blown head gasket.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I have down this road just recently. Engine in my donor ran good when I test drove it. Drained oil and globs came out...uh oh, coolant and oil mix...probably means cracked cylinder head. Pull valve cover and man was it dirty with baked oil. Pulled heads and they passed pressure test. Cleaned engine best I could, replaced oil pump, resealed entire engine.

After my LS swap was complete, the engine started right up and sounded great, but it immediately left a puddle of oil under the rear main...damn, I messed that seal up. new seal and same results...turned out the crank was moving radially due to worn out main bearing. So, I bailed and bought an engine from a salvage yard. Used my boroscope to look inside the engine to ensure spotlessly clean. 2nd engine is great!

So, maybe don't waste your time on the engine you have and get a better one. I got my 5.3L from the salvage yard for $425.

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

yup I thought getting the whole truck running was a better idea lol. I called my buddy up yesterday that I got it from and he said he has a 2002 tahoe I can swap it for. this one looks immaculate on the inside (was wrecked in the front). engine looks great too and waaaaay cleaner than this one. going back later to run some cables to the battery to turn the key to check the mileage. already posted this one for sale on craigslist

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I recall years ago I went to Pick N Pull by myself to pull my first engine, I was planning to call my buddies to come help me later on, I got there and picked a Tahoe in the middle of 5 fresh new cars, two on one side and two on the other, the time was 9 am

a crew of 3 guys showed up next to me, they knew what they were doing, by 11 am I had everything loosened up ready for extraction, meanwhile these guys were yanking their fourth motor and transmission combo, no joke, no lie

this is how they did it, one guy went from the top in the engine bay and cut all the belts and hoses and disconnected the wiring harness the second guy went under the trucks and disconnected the driveshaft and the transmission crossmember etc, the third had a saws all and literally cut the front subframe off the trucks on either side and the whole front clip came crashing forward, and then they hoisted the engines out of the carcasses, in California they cut out the catalytic converters so the exhaust was already taken care of and cut off

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

u know, I just watched a guy on YouTube do the same thing...cut the whole frame behind the motor. I mean, I guess it saves u a few minutes but I don't see why people do that

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

They have been sawing the frames around here for a long time. Occasionally they saw the fenders and all....😬

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

:lol: I guess because I'm green in the junkyards...seems that's where it's common. which I get it cut that thing in half and load it

Re: Easy way to remove motor and trans from donor?
 

I pulled motor only from a 4x4 Yukon. I ended up cutting the tunnel in order to get at the bell housing bolts.