engine pull in 1991 Holiday Rambler

[John Harrison]

Well the engine in the old Aluma-lite died a horrible and painful death. Cracked block so I don't think I will be resurrecting it any time soon. Now for the 6 million dollar question: what steps should I go through to pull this engine and replace it with a new re-manufactured engine? Do I need to completely drop the trans? How can I get the radiator out without damage? Do I have to pull the heads before removing and then reinstall after the new engine is in? Tried you tube but no help at all, I want to drive it after and not destroy the RV like some drunk sailor. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated and anyone in NW Ga who wants to come help---Free BEER!

[Kevin F Smith]

On our old 1989 Holiday Rambler Imperial, you could remove the engine out the front.  First you have to take off the grill and the entire fiberglass nose/headlight housing...which you do by removing all the screws.  The radiator has to come out next.  On ours at least, there is a front crossmember on the frame, and that gets unbolted.  Once everything is out of the way, you can carefully get the motor out the front without removing the transmission.

[John Harrison]

Thanks for the reply. however the Aluma-lite has a solid front end except for the grill.  No vertical seams so I can't seetaking the front off.

[Kevin F Smith]

The grill is what I was talking about.  There SHOULD be screws around the black section on yours, where you can remove that entire piece.  The only pictures you have of the sides of your rig are blocked by trees in the front RIGHT where I would need to see to tell if yours is similar to mine was.  If you can remove that black section and the bumper to access your radiator, you will see a steel crossmember on the frame behind the radiator that on ours could be unbolted. 

Kev

[John Harrison]

Here is the set up I have. I don't see a seam that would allow the front bumper to be removed. Sorry everything is dirty but it has been sitting for two years.

[John Harrison]

Well what I meant to say was there is no seam above the bumper between it and the grill. Now I wonder if I can just cut that small section out and the patch it back together?

[Kevin F Smith]

Take the whole grill off...and the bumper.  My whole front end came off when I rewired the headlights.  Under that trim strip will be MORE screws, and the nose WILL come off..at least enough to remove the engine. 

[John Harrison]

thanks

[Kevin F Smith]

You might be right about having to cut the lower section and then patch it in later.  On ours, there was a seam on the sides of the bumper, but yours doesn't have one.  Before you cut anything, get under the bumper and confirm that you have a removable front crossmember on the frame.  It would suck if you cut the fiberglass and removed the bumper and radiator, only to realize that you can't remove the crossmember and get that engine out the front.  The alternative is to use a long arm engine lift and chain...and bring the engine either out the side driver's door (after you remove the seat and maybe even the steering wheel)...or remove the windshield and get it out that way. 

Kev