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This is my first engine swap switching my 350 for a 455. My(first) issue is that the engine hoist boom is a good 18 inches short. Do i need to remove the core support, fenders or both? Or do I get a longer boom at a metal supply shop? Thanks in advance.
I'd guess your using the cheaper Harbor Freight picker. The boom is very short on the cheap one. Your going to have to get a longer boom picker. Maybe rent or borrow a longer one. There are threads about modifying pickers on this site.
Yes, I ran into the same issue on my 70S. I extended the boom, it wants to tip over. It needs about 4 iron heads strapped to the back of the hoist frame. Ask me how I know😉.
When I did my engine swap I took off the front sheet metal. You can remove both fenders, the rad support, and bumper as a unit. Remove the hood seperately.
It may be your style of hoist. Below is one I've had with my cousin for years, couple things to note between this on the one you posted. And maybe items to look for if you rent another...
1. Mine has 2 connection points for the hydraulic ram giving the option to boost a little higher.
2. My boom prior to the extension looks longer allowing for more travel.
3. As others have mentioned, make sure your legs are extended properly, can have some travel yet should always be at a length beyond the boom.
4, My boom extension is completely adjustable as in a large set screen at top of first outer boom. No pre determined holes thru the outer and inner boom.
Taking the front bumper, grill and rad support is an option but a lot of work, too much work in my opinion. Find someone with a bigger crane, that is the problem. i have both and the cheap one falls short on a midsize/fullsized car.
As the owner of a 70 and a cheap *** Harbor freight picker…you should be able to make it reach by removing JUST the front bumper.
the boom arm should come out far enough to handle.
I wouldn’t attempt this with the trans attached…but good enough for just the engine.
I totally agree. While you can remove the core support and front clip...that's way too much work. I've removed and installed lots of engines on full size cars and trucks with my HF cherry picker. There should be no issue unless you have an odd one. My legs do not extend but are the right length for extending the boom out as far as I need it.
Good luck. If yours doesn't work, you can rent one or find them cheap on CL all the time.
Here's a pic of my lift when I worked on a 64 Vette.... You can see the lower legs are full length and the boom is extendable.
Last edited by 442Dude; May 11th, 2022 at 05:34 AM.
Is this the right part even though it's saying it does not fit?
If you have the original frame pads from the 350 motor, you MUST use the 2261 mounts.They would not be correct if you had a factory 455 car with the factory 455 frame pads.
May 9th, 2022, 07:13 AM
