#1  
Old 12-03-2021, 05:00 PM
lugnutx2 lugnutx2 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid West
Posts: 629
Default pulling engine with long branch manifolds

I'm about to get our 68 firebird out of storage, so I can pull and reseal the engine, the engine has never been out of the car and it still has it's original long branch exhaust manifolds . I don't have the car in front of me, so I'd like to know if it's possible to pull the engine with the manifolds still bolted on?

  #2  
Old 12-03-2021, 05:07 PM
north's Avatar
north north is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Default

There was a thread on this a few weeks ago (or was it pulling a starter?).

__________________
My Break Away Squad
1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops)
1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt)
1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon
1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop)
1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop)
1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon
1969 Executive 4dr Sedan
1969 Bonnie Cvt
1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them)
1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt)
1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them)
1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model)
  #3  
Old 12-03-2021, 05:12 PM
grandam1979 grandam1979 is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ohio, Findlay
Posts: 1,428
Default

We don’t do it like that we take them off and install after engine is in car they will come right in from the bottom. With yours never being off the bolts might be a issue. If possible I would remove starter also. On a car like mine that’s been apart before the manifolds will take a half hour to do very easy. Also once your putting it together drop in engine then install starter wire it then the manifold works great.

The Following User Says Thank You to grandam1979 For This Useful Post:
  #4  
Old 12-05-2021, 06:54 PM
tanksteve tanksteve is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: sacramento
Posts: 134
Default

I just looked at mine. Driver's side long branch will probably hit the steering box, so could remove that

  #5  
Old 12-05-2021, 09:34 PM
rwfisher's Avatar
rwfisher rwfisher is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Vermont
Posts: 364
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tanksteve View Post
I just looked at mine. Driver's side long branch will probably hit the steering box, so could remove that
Should be able to remove the starter and have room to slide them out. Never had to pull the steering box..

  #6  
Old 12-05-2021, 10:35 PM
lugnutx2 lugnutx2 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid West
Posts: 629
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by north View Post
There was a thread on this a few weeks ago (or was it pulling a starter?).
That was me on the starter, I installed a new wiring harness and the car started right up.

  #7  
Old 12-05-2021, 10:43 PM
lugnutx2 lugnutx2 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid West
Posts: 629
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by grandam1979 View Post
We don’t do it like that we take them off and install after engine is in car they will come right in from the bottom. With yours never being off the bolts might be a issue. If possible I would remove starter also. On a car like mine that’s been apart before the manifolds will take a half hour to do very easy. Also once your putting it together drop in engine then install starter wire it then the manifold works great.
Since they've never been off before, the manifold bolts are the issue, I can see them breaking off if I try to remove them in the car. I need to pull the engine for a reseal and paint and would like to have plenty of room to work on the manifold bolts. I'm going to try and do this in the next few months, I'll post the results. Thanks!

  #8  
Old 01-17-2022, 08:42 PM
jdaniels1000 jdaniels1000 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 4
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lugnutx2 View Post
I'm about to get our 68 firebird out of storage, so I can pull and reseal the engine, the engine has never been out of the car and it still has it's original long branch exhaust manifolds . I don't have the car in front of me, so I'd like to know if it's possible to pull the engine with the manifolds still bolted on?
it is possible, just did it on my 69 but very tight around steering box and some trouble getting starter past the engine frame mount. pulled mine for a reseal and paint, will probably put the manifolds on after engine is in car and a new mini starter

  #9  
Old 01-18-2022, 12:36 PM
Sport69 Sport69 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Alexandria, Pa. USA
Posts: 522
Default

Spray your manifold bolts with Deep Creep, or PB Blaster days before you want to attempt to remove them. Let it set for a day, and spray them again, repeat the process a few days in a row to let the penetrant work at breaking the rust loose. I've also read that you can heat them with a small propane torch and then take a crayon and touch it to the bolt closest to the engine, supposedly it will melt a little of the crayon and literally suck it into the threads of the bolt. I've never done that, but I have heard it works.

When you do start to loosen the bolts, only back them out a little at a time, then tighten them back down half the distance you loosened them. You want to repeat that process over and over, retightening them about half the distance that you've loosened them each time, slow and easy! You can also spray more penetrant on them if you feel it will help. Check out YouTube for some videos on this process, hopefully you can get them out without breaking them. Be sure to use a 6-point socket too, it's less likely to slip or round off the bolt head.

Here's one video I feel is a good one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PKNCVXvZ6w

__________________
Cholesterol Bad Adrenaline Good
Do it till your eyes bug out!

Last edited by Sport69; 01-18-2022 at 01:21 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to Sport69 For This Useful Post:
  #10  
Old 01-25-2022, 08:26 PM
lugnutx2 lugnutx2 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid West
Posts: 629
Default

Thanks guys for the tips, I plan on tackling this in the Spring, if I still have the car.

  #11  
Old 01-26-2022, 12:38 AM
Tellyshavilli Tellyshavilli is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Western NY 14059
Posts: 1,848
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lugnutx2 View Post
Thanks guys for the tips, I plan on tackling this in the Spring, if I still have the car.
400 HO Firebird or RA ?

  #12  
Old 01-26-2022, 11:04 AM
lugnutx2 lugnutx2 is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid West
Posts: 629
Default

It's a 68 400 HO, 4 speed with added ram air system. The guy I bought it from said the original owner was a GM tech and he THOUGHT the ram air stuff was over the counter, at any rate, it's been on the car a long time. I think the RA is after-market, but I have no way of knowing.

  #13  
Old 01-30-2022, 11:09 AM
Richie Hoffman's Avatar
Richie Hoffman Richie Hoffman is offline
Chief Ponti-yacker
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: long island new york
Posts: 619
Default

you can pull engine with manifolds on

__________________
2008KRE Q16 Winner
2014 atco raceway doorslammer winner 86 grand am tube car 8.95 @152 455 eheads solid flat tappet cam
Hoffman Racing building and racing Pontiacs for 35 years
The Following User Says Thank You to Richie Hoffman For This Useful Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:58 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017