taking out and putting new engine in help

[6x6in6]

, sounds like it might be easier to removce the whole front clip.!!! what a job, I do not envy you!!
Carl

We have done a few of these, you cannot remove the front clip to pull the engine..
They are really not that hard to do, time consuming yes, but difficult no....
*
Kinda like if IKEA made cars.... 

If the van's a donor - a cutting torch can make short work of a whole lot of things, like the front clip, that are in the way for a conventional out the top engine yard out.   

Ok, that solves getting the donor engine out, but what about the van he wants to keep 
guess he could cut it then weld it back together...

  Good welding skillz are a must.   

[dewandgin]

If you think extensions, open end wrenches etc are specialty your in trouble..
*
The only "specialty" item would be the frame holder for setting the engine and cradle Assembly on, but it is not necessary.
But what is, is the ability to raise the vehicle to a height to get the engine/trans/cradle assembly out from under it..
*
In a nut shell, you will be unbolting the engine cradle (frame) with lower control arms etc all attached and raising the vehicle up....figure you have to get he van about 4ft in the air.....
*
This is really a job that requires a lift to perform....or a tractor...
*
I would not do this job at home....
*
Don't get me wrong, its not impossible it is just going to take some time and ingenuity without a lift, it is not unbolting a rwd V8 and lifting it out,,,,

In no way,shape or form do I think that sockets or extensions are specialty tools. I have worked at a Chevy/Cad/Subaru dealership as a tech for 20+ yrs and shop foreman for 10+. I wouldn't recommend doing this job at home but I was just trying to help a guy out. The engine cradle can be set on 4 jack stands but then lifting the body off would be a p.i.a. without a hoist. Have done tons of these for headgaskets/engines and just drop em and put them in and reinstall. (your results may vary!) The motor will come out the top but it is super tight and not worth the struggle. Kinda like a Northstar in a Cadillac.

[Buckmark]

If you think extensions, open end wrenches etc are specialty your in trouble..
*
The only "specialty" item would be the frame holder for setting the engine and cradle Assembly on, but it is not necessary.
But what is, is the ability to raise the vehicle to a height to get the engine/trans/cradle assembly out from under it..
*
In a nut shell, you will be unbolting the engine cradle (frame) with lower control arms etc all attached and raising the vehicle up....figure you have to get he van about 4ft in the air.....
*
This is really a job that requires a lift to perform....or a tractor...
*
I would not do this job at home....
*
Don't get me wrong, its not impossible it is just going to take some time and ingenuity without a lift, it is not unbolting a rwd V8 and lifting it out,,,,

In no way,shape or form do I think that sockets or extensions are specialty tools. I have worked at a Chevy/Cad/Subaru dealership as a tech for 20+ yrs and shop foreman for 10+. I wouldn't recommend doing this job at home but I was just trying to help a guy out. The engine cradle can be set on 4 jack stands but then lifting the body off would be a p.i.a. without a hoist. Have done tons of these for headgaskets/engines and just drop em and put them in and reinstall. (your results may vary!) The motor will come out the top but it is super tight and not worth the struggle. Kinda like a Northstar in a Cadillac.

My comment was directed at the OP from his commment of having to get some tools while in town,  not at you dewandgin

[Elk whack master]

Yes a hoist was on the list to get. Also if it gives me trouble I WILL bust out the cutting torch! To the donor one of course!! I  gotta take out the blown one our of mine too, I will take my time on that one.

[Elk whack master]

Donor out! Few hours every night after dinner. I got a few days off soon so I will see what I can do with a couple of dedicated days towards it. Gonna have to make skids for the front to get it out of the garage. I'm thinking of putting it out in the yard for the kids to have a van fort and practice their automotive skills   I am almost a total redneck with more broken down cars than running ones in the yard. 

[Elk whack master]

All done and been driving to work for the last 3 days. There wasn't anything hard to do but just ALOT OF STUFF to do. I will admit the second one was a lot easier to take out. And I put it back in faster. I wouldn't want to do it everyday though! Chain hoist made it easy