Last resort firewall cut

[zeak]

So in my 3vze is seeping oil. Agein.
Its coming from the right rear cam shaft seal for sure and possibly the rear main.
I'm planning to drop the trans. Replace both the rear cam seals and the rear main along with the clutch as I have a new one. I'm also going to do the crossover removal mod. Fix the heat shield that has become detached from the firewall and is laying on top of the crossover.

I think I'll have to cut 2 small access holes in the firewall to get to some bolts as one header stud and 2 bell housing bolts are already broken off.

Thoughts?
(pic sourced from google images)

 

[Footofgod]

If you have to do all that, just pull the engine out. If you don't have a hoist, go rent one for a weekend. Lift out and repair......Drop back in.

 

[4runnerBrett]

I definetly agreed that pulling the motor would be much better then cutting your firewall. While the motors out you may as well do timing belt and headgaskets if you haven't done them in awhile. You could also heat wrap the headers too while its out to help with the head gaskets.

 

[KidVermicious]

x3 on that. I'd yank the motor and transmission at once, and do the work that needs done out where you can see it and don't have to hack holes in your firewall.

 

[zeak]

Ok, but is it really that easy to pull?
I've only rebuilt a sbc350. It was very simple.
I could use the fork-lift at work for the pull. Maby...
Does anyone know about how much the engine and trany weigh when still bolted together?

 

[KidVermicious]

I've heard 350 for the motor - which transmission do you have? The automatics are heavy.

 

[zeak]

It's the 5 speed.
R150 I think?

 

[KidVermicious]

That should be the R150, and it'll be lighter than the automatic. My w56 is around 200 pounds with the tcase on the back, the R150 can't be much heavier than that.

 

[Scalded_Dawg]

Having just installed my rebuilt 3.0, I can tell you the worst part is the damn intake manifold with all those vacuum lines and crap on the passenger side. :brick:
Since you are taking that off anyway for the RH cam seal, you're half way done with the engine removal. Another hour of prep to pull it out will save you hours of cramped frustrating working conditions.

Make a map/diagram and label all those hoses… trust me, I spent a few extra crappy minutes figuring that mess out.

Good luck!

 

[Footofgod]

Make a map/diagram and label all those hoses… trust me, I spent a few extra crappy minutes figuring that mess out.

^^^THIS^^^ Take pictures. Take lots of pictures.

 

[Hyde802]

^^^THIS^^^ Take pictures. Take lots of pictures.

Yup. I have a bunch of pics too if you are in need.

 

[zeak]

Ok.
I normally take pics anyway just incase I goof up something.
Between my second hand air intake, electric cooling fan conversion and removing all the emissions stuff that was burned up and full of carbon; theres not that much in the engine bay. I was just worried if it was something I could do in one weekend or not.
I've got new gaskets and whatnot on the way from rockauto.com

 

[KidVermicious]

Pictures are good, get lots of angles. Also get a box of sandwich bags, and bag and label each set of bolts. Also get a white paint marker and scribble numbers on each vacuum hose/harness plug and where it plugs into.

 

[zeak]

Sound advice, Thank you!