It Finally Happened

Yard sales are good for some things.  You see, Sunday was the continuation and final day of getting rid of stuff and making money on it.  A man from out of town stopped by, didn't buy anything, but noticed the Hondamatic sitting on the street witht he hood off.  Collin and the nice stranger began a conversation and it turns out this man is a mechanic by trade.  He provided pointers on how to get the block out.  Turns out he really knew what he was talking about.

The block could be pulled out by tying a wire to either end and swinging this same wire over a two-by-four, conveniently located in our garage full of stuff.  The two-by-four was place above the block resting on some old clothes (from the yard sale non-sales) on top of the fenders as illustrated below.

To support the transmission Collin tied a thick rope around the frame under the transmission to sort of cradle it since we were not taking it out with the block.  That and the center rail is also bolted to the transmission.  See how pretty it looks all cleaned up in comparison to the rest of the engine compartment?  (Look in the middle.)  Yes, I did scrape all that nastiness off. 

Keeping the transmission secured up  with the rope allowed Collin the ability to take off the front and rear brackets that hold up the block and transmission as those were what was not allowing the block to be removed with them still in place.

Collin literally dead lifted the block out of the Hondamatic.  I helped a little.  Leaning over the left fender Collin grabbed either side of the block with the two-by-four underneath his left armpit.  I was helping lift from the front of the Hondamatic.  Using the two-by-four as leverage, Collin rolled backwards letting the two-by four roll down the side of the fender, essentially lifting him and the block out of the engine compartment.  Then very carfully the block was dumped onto the grass on the edge of the sidewalk. 

Ever vigilant of her people, Itsy made sure that she was always close by to render any assistance necessary.  Her first impulse every time she came down to the Hondamatic was to go under the car where Collin was often lying.  Little girl finally resigned herself to staying on the sidewalk watching and half-napping.