will this work?

[Inspector71]

I am close to being finished with sanding down the Charger's engine compartment. A friend said I could put the body (frame rails) on jack stands and drop the K-frame (the engine and tranny are out) as one piece once I unbolt the torsion bars, shocks, brake lines, and anything else and roll the entire assembly out and get to the areas I couldn't reach. Does that sound right?

 

[snakeoil24]

Yes, that is correct but you will need a transmission jack, block and tackle to lower the assembly down and tie it down to the trans jack, or a engine cherry picker and tie the front of the car down so it does not tip off your jack stands. Think this thru before you proceed.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Just how far are you willing to go??Are you powder coating or rattle can??

 

[RustyRatRod]

Since that's how the factory put them together, I highly suspect it's posibble.

 

[Inspector71]

Thanks, this was a big help

Do I still need a transmission jack if the entire drive train, engine, tranny, driveshaft are out of the car? Can I put the jack stand under the frame rails? Hemi-Itis: That is a real good question and I've asked myself the same. Please allow me to explain my thinking. I plan on going the rattle can method. There is no rust, as far as I can tell, on the shock towers or where the torsion bars and shocks attach. So I was going to sand around and primer those areas. But there is major surface rust on the upper control arm, brakes, and so forth. Since I was thinking of going with disc brakes, a friend suggested I roll the entire assembly out, dismantle it, have the K frame sand blasted (I have a place that will do the hood, K frame, bumper brackets, and other parts for around $300) and then rebuild the K frame and suspension (tie rods, ball joints, pittman arm, idler arm, and all the rest while it was out. Maybe even do the disc brake conversion on the front at that time. Now I am an older guy but have no idea how to do any of this and can't afford to farm it out so I am going to have to learn by doing. If I am eventually going to redo the front suspension, it seemed like a good idea to finish the engine bay with all of that out of the car. Does this make any sense? You bet I'm going to think this through. I was already to do it last year when someone asked me if I had bought Mancini's kit of tools for this yet? Oops. That is next.

 

[chattacuda]

You can do it. I just finished pulling my entire 440 set up ( engine, trans, manifolds, k member, control arms, steering box, etc etc out bottom as one piece and put the whole new setup in the same way. No problem, just take your time. I think there is even a video of someone doing it on you tube. if you have any questions just pm me and i will walk you thru it. It is the only way to go in my opinion and I have done both ways.

 

[snakeoil24]

chattacuda is right about doing it and give him credit for offering to walk thru.

 

[AdamR]

If the engine and trans are out its simple and all you need is a good floor jack.

Unbolt the shock, Pull the torsion bars, Unbolt the upper control arms, Unbolt the 4 bolts holding the K frame in and lower it down

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

I fully understand that thought process:happy7:Look into powdercoating the "K" and the arms,if not in the budget than use por 50 or something equal for a nice longlasting easy to keep clean kinda stuff:eusa_think:

 

[zyzzyx]

in n out

Yeah, that's the way the factory assembled them and there are no clearence issues either. here is a pic of some guys actually having fun doing it! Good luck!

 

[kdtjb]

sounds right to me.

 

[Inspector71]

Wow, great help

My daughter heard me say "Oh my gosh" about 10 times now as I drool over the pictures. You guys really do great work.

Chattacuda: With a name like that, you've got to know what you're talking about and thanks for the offer. As soon as I get the tools assembled, I'll give you a pm. What has been so enjoyable is that I am mechanically declined and know nothing. I am learning as I go. I came up the other day, hot, sweaty, dirty, grimy, cut in half a dozen places and my wife thought I was having a bad time. No way. Sense of accomplishment. Sermon over.

Zyzzyx. Great pics. Are those guys available for hire?

For KDTJB: Is that your motor? 440? I am jealous. Is that your Charger? Those are all great pics. If I can catch a break from some unforseen financial challenges, I should be able to get to this project. I had hoped to have the K frame out and done by now.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Engine/trans install

My father and 2 buddy's helped me install my combo 1 month after I had eye surgery, so I was snapping the pics and they did the grunt work. Also, the lift and roller set I made for my car is now being used on my dad's 70 rt challenger.

 

[snakeyes]

looking good thanks for sharing :grin: