Fantastic work. How much mechanic experience do you have? Been doing quite a bit or is this the largest job you've done? Did you even look at the
cam bible thread here??
How much effort do you think it took to pull the engine compared to leaving it in? Which would you think would be easier? If you had it to do it over you would pull it again? Just for forum knowledge, clearly you wont have to do it again
mechanical experience is not crazy. in my early 20's i did some 1/4 racing with a mustang. Small block ford more straight forward then this, less parts. I did not build that motor on my own but with help from a friend who was older then me. I learned a lot watching my friends at the time. I have never actually paid anybody to fix any of my cars, I have always tackled everything my self. radiators, breaks, leaks, suspension, diagnosing, the usual stuff. I never worked as a mechanic or have any certifications.
I would say this has been the largest job I have done. yes
I did not look at the cam bible thread. I will def check it out though.
I dont think pulling the motor was horrible. I think I made the right choice especially with having to replace the leaking oil pan. Here in New York its cold around 30. Laying on my back and bent of the fenders in the cold and wind didn't sound fun. I figured I could get the motor out in a day and a half and get it in the heated garage, take my time and work on it in a t shirt. i only have a half garage which can be seen in the pictures. some good music playing and just taking my time.
Also i noticed some guys do the job without removing the oil pump. Me personally I am not gambling on that chain not accidently jumping a tooth on the crank gear behind the oil pump. for some reason i just didn't trust the zip tie trick and keeping tension on it. i am not saying its wrong I just dont like it. I personally wanted to see the marks on the crank gear and on a chain. Knowing the motor was a top dead center there was no guessing it's straight forward. I also felt if I was going in there and pulling that cover I wanted to replace what i could. Tensioner, guide, chain, oil pump, water pump etc.
The wiring harness can be intimidating, all the connections and spaghetti but a deep breath and one thing at a time you get through it. It all falls into place reassembling.
If I had to do it again that's a tricky question. 2wd car I would say leave it in in the truck. better access to lower the pan and pull the pick up and the oil pump and check that timing. I know there is a trick to drop the pick up with leaving the pan on as well. I would say if you don't need to worry about changing the oil pan and its warm out haha do it in the car. But i 100 percent do not regret my decision i think for my case it was def the right move. I do think that though it is very convenient working on the motor on a stand as opposed to over the fenders. so I am on the fence with that answer.
I didn't mean to go off on a rant but figured I would respond as best I could.
