Engine removal - am I missing something?

[79sharkguy]

So I've nearly gotten the engine out of my 79 US automatic and can't seem to get it to clear the motor mounts enough to split it from the TT. I followed the WSM to the T until it came to the part that mentioned removing the motor mounts. They don't seem like their designed to be removed and at > $200 a pop I don't want to find out the hard way.

Has anyone done this on a 79 that could chime in?

Thanks everyone!

[Mrmerlin]

you split the engine from the bell housing not the TT .
disconnect the drive shaft flex plate from the flywheel ( auto).

If you have a 5 speed then you remove the clutch pack,
put 3 U shaped pins under each of the pins sticking out the backside of the PP before you loosen the PP bolts,
this will make removing the release arm off the ball easier as well as installation

[79sharkguy]

I was thinking about doing that, but definitely wanted to check. Oddly the WSM doesn't mention this at all for 16v autos. I was just checking again and decided to try the 32v removal procedure. Sure enough, it was right there (lesson learned). It mentions removing just the six that attach the flexplate to the flywheel?

Any trick to get the throttle cable without a cup end off (think it goes back to the tranny).

[joejoe1]

Make sure the starter cable is undone from the driver side frame. It is hard to see, but is near motor mount.

[Mrmerlin]

spray PB blaster into the ball cup see if there is a small locking pin on the ball and work it the bals get rusted and the inner C clip thats inside the ball then wont release lots of PB should help to free things up. If you have another type of connector then you may have to unscrew the bracket

[79sharkguy]

Thanks for the pointers! After the flexplate was unbolted, the engine split with some coaxing. Noticed the starter wires when the engine was on its way up; that last wire loom has a nut under the crossmember. I had to unscrew the throttle bracket to get that last cable disconnected. Good call.

That wasn't nearly as bad I expected. Thanks again!

Now prepping for the turbo

[Mrmerlin]

please post pictures of the turbo install

[79sharkguy]

I plan on it! Friend gave me an new t04e to use with a .63 hotside and a .50 trim compressor. Its a fairly small turbo, but I've seen a lot of chatter about using smaller turbos with large wastegates to reduce lag and mitigate excessive backpressure and boost creep. I'm shooting for <7 PSI so this combo should be a good fit to get a little more power in the lower revs.

That's the 1 comment that everyone says when I give them a ride: decent top-end but NOTHING down low. While I could get another and run twins (and I may) I'd like to try this combo first.

Am I the first 928 owner to try the small turbo setup (kind of seems like it)?