How to Remove a 350 Chevy Engine

Disconnect the battery. The ground cable should be disconnected first, followed by the positive cable. The ground cable can be identified by the "-" symbol stamped into the battery case next to the ground post on the battery, while the positive cable post is identified by the "+" symbol. To remove the cables, loosen the single nut at the clamp which holds the cable to the battery post with a wrench, then lift the cable away from the battery.

Drain and remove the radiator. Twist the radiator cap in a counterclockwise direction to remove it, then remove the single drain plug located at the bottom of the radiator with a wrench. Loosen the single hose clamp located at the end of both the upper and lower radiator hoses where each hose meets the radiator with a screwdriver, then pull the hoses away from the radiator. Remove the two transmission cooler lines which enter the bottom of the transmission with a wrench, then pull the lines away from the radiator. Remove the four retaining bolts which hold the radiator in place within the engine compartment with a wrench, then lift the radiator out of the engine compartment. There is one retaining bolt at each corner of the radiator.

Remove the starter and disconnect the transmission from engine. The starter is located between the engine and the transmission on the passenger's side of the vehicle, and can be accessed from underneath the vehicle. Remove the two bolts which hold the starter in place with a wrench, then pull the starter towards the front of the vehicle to remove it. The transmission attaches to the back of the engine via the bellhousing with several retaining bolts, which are located around the outside of the bellhousing. Remove these bolts with a wrench. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, disconnect the torque converter from the flywheel. The torque converter can be accessed from underneath the vehicle where the transmission meats the engine. Four bolts hold the torque converter to the flywheel, and can be removed with a wrench. It will be necessary to periodically turn the crankshaft at the front of the engine with a wrench, which will spin the flywheel so that all four bolts can be removed.

Disconnect the motor mounts. Two motor mounts are used to secure the engine in place within the engine compartment. One motor mount is located on each side of the engine where the engine meets the vehicle's frame. A motor mount consists of two pieces, one bolts to the engine and the other bolts to the frame. These two pieces mesh together and are held in place with a single bolt that runs through the center of both pieces. Remove the bolt on both motor mounts with a wrench.

Disconnect the throttle linkage. The throttle linkage attaches the accelerator pedal to the driver's side of the carburetor. The linkage is typically held in place with a small bolt and nut. Remove the bolt, then pull the linkage away from the carburetor to disconnect it.

Disconnect the exhaust manifolds. The 350 Chevy uses two exhaust manifolds. One manifold attaches to each of the two cylinder heads. The manifolds are held to the cylinder heads with a number of bolts. Remove the bolts with a wrench, then pull the manifolds away from the engine. It is not necessary to remove the manifolds from the exhaust pipes.

Attach an engine hoist to the engine following the hoist manufacturer's instructions, then lift the engine with the hoist while simultaneously pulling the engine towards the front of the vehicle to disengage the engine from the transmission. Once disengaged, lift the engine straight up and out of the engine compartment to complete the removal process.