1968 Engine Install mishap

[Tequila]

We were trying to guide the engine and tranny in to the car earlier today and somehow one of the bolts connected to the hoist chain came loose and engine fell on to the radiator support and grille.... Don't be like me. Double check the bolts to make they are tight before hoisting the engine. The engine was sitting around for a while with the chain attached and I should have double checked it.

Luckily no one got hurt.

I put the radiator in afterwards to just to see if it would clear..

 

[somethingspecial]

Wow Bummer. As long as no one was hurt, all is good. Pride will heal without a scar, just wisdom. I did that once with a 396 Chevy into a 65' Impala. It can happen to the best of us. Mike

 

[dalorzo_f]

Glad to hear only pride, and the rad support and grille, damaged... could have been far worse.

Had a similar incident a few years ago.

390/C6 almost out and the lifting eye (original factory style) snapped. As with you the rad support, but noting else, damaged. 60 seconds later the engine and trans would have been clear of the car and if it went then no telling where it would have ended up swinging on the hoist...

Now I double check all lifting points and only use grade 8 hardware. Any evidence of damage/stress and it gets tossed and new ones bought.

Be safe out there.

 

[whodat]

Looks like you might be pulling those fenders off after all

 

[Ruppstang]

Wow I am glad you are ok. We have all had those close calls and is a good reminder that you can never be too careful.
Marty

 

[Tequila]

Wow I am glad you are ok. We have all had those close calls and is a good reminder that you can never be too careful.
Marty

Actually we were very lucky. We did have a close call with nephew pushing down the transmission end so that it cleared firewall. I am still shaking when I think about it. My nephew lost his balance and landed on top of the engine when the bolt broke. Thank God he didn't hurt himself. It could have been very bad. I've learned my lesson the hard way.


By the way, any recommendation on a good radiator support? From what I researched I understand the Dynacorn has a thicker gauge metal.

 

[Tequila]

Glad to hear only pride, and the rad support and grille, damaged... could have been far worse.

Had a similar incident a few years ago.

390/C6 almost out and the lifting eye (original factory style) snapped. As with you the rad support, but noting else, damaged. 60 seconds later the engine and trans would have been clear of the car and if it went then no telling where it would have ended up swinging on the hoist...

Now I double check all lifting points and only use grade 8 hardware. Any evidence of damage/stress and it gets tossed and new ones bought.

Be safe out there.

Thanks Bud!! Good reminder about grade 8 hardware. I am also restoring a 72 Camaro and it looks like the engine in it is shot so I will have to make sure I get the right hardware and correct length chain before I pull the engine from that one.

 

[dalorzo_f]

By the way, any recommendation on a good radiator support?

Mine was similar to yours and my shop metal-guru straightened it out...

 

[Mosesatm]

You bet, fixing it isn't all that difficult.

 

[robert campbell]

The mishap made me think of the winner of this threads contest!!! Go to page 3!

This also makes any mistake seem a bit less bad. We have all been there!!

http://californiaspecial.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5299&page=3&highlight=bone+head

 

[Tequila]

Mine was similar to yours and my shop metal-guru straightened it out...

I think it is far gone to get it straightened. Also, looks like there was a previous weld in one of the corner that broke loose. I will see what the body shop says. I was really looking forward to driving the car for a few days before taking it for painting. At this rate I won't be able to drive till next summer. Yikes, 3 year project. Sorry, I am just venting.

 

[Tequila]

The mishap made me think of the winner of this threads contest!!! Go to page 3!

This also makes any mistake seem a bit less bad. We have all been there!!

http://californiaspecial.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5299&page=3&highlight=bone+head

Thanks Rob!!! I needed a pick me up. thanks for sharing that thread -- surely a classic one.

 

[Ruppstang]

If you think it has gone too far to repair go to a salvage yard and buy the top section. Then section it in to the damaged area of yours. It would not take much more than a hour and a half to repair. Looks like you may need a grill support as well. I have several laying around and would give you one if you would pay the shipping. It is not as bad a it looks, dig in there and get it fixed so you can drive your car.
Marty

 

[Tequila]

Thanks Marty. Appreciate it. I will send you a PM.