putting new 5.9 in my 04.5. cannot get enough clearance to get over engine mounts using the factory lift hooks. the chain and the engine lift brace make contact with cab. anyone dropped an engine in without taking off the head?
engine is currently hanging in my engine compartment from the hoist til we figure out another approach.
thanks

 

you can take the front core support out and remove the rad and intercooler to get the motor down a little or you could drop the oil pan and then reinstall it before you set the motor onto the mounts

 

First thing is you need a SHORT chain to go from lift bracket to lift bracket. As short as possible. Then You need to hook the picker close to the front bracket so the engine tips forward. That way the pan clears the frame BEFORE the head hits the cowl.

 

P.S. take lots of pics...I'm gonna be puttin mine back in soon and am sure I will forget some things by then.

 

I did one and had to lift the cab a couple inches off the frame. Wasn't too big a deal, and I thought it made more sense than breaking the seal on the cyl. head or oil pan that weren't causing any problems.

 

thanks for the advice from you guys. after some deep thought...and an extra beer...we cut out the lower crossmember, removed valve cover and removed outer engine mounts....everything from the front of the truck was already removed. another option that helped was putting the chain through the lift bracket and using a long bolt to form a "t" so nothing stuck out any higher than the bracket. after an hour, it bolted right up. i have pics of some of this plus the rest of the buildup as i go.