Richard Miller

What a experience. I started out the day charging 700.00 in seals and bits and pieces because everything is becoming NLA. Makes me sick and a bit empty inside. So let’s drop the engine in the car. Gslse engine, check. Brand new se motor mounts.check. New transmission mount. Check. Engine not dropping in because the damned cross member was redesigned by Mazda? Get the SE bracket! MF drop right in. BS. So now I need to modify the bracket or order Racing Beats $120 solution. But hey.I decided to leave the oil pick up tube on the shelf instead of installing it. So now I need more RTV and sleep.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

I modified my engine support bar 10mm to allow the SE engine to mount with the 12A crossmember. It's a simple modification that didnt cost me a dime.

lwrobins

I think I can relate to this... but trust me, just be patient. It will all be worth it in the end.

GSLSEforme

Assuming your car was originally a 12A model,yes modifying engine mount bracket,known necessary step. I "know" this and still found myself where you are on an install. Remove bracket with engine/trans hanging on hoist,slot mount holes in bracket. Clean up and paint,reinstall. Delayed engine/trans install about 1.5 hrs.
Regarding pickup tube. Helped a friend install and get running an engine he and his brother assembled. Startup fairly straightforward,i noticed right away no oil pressure, screwed in test oil pressure gauge,yep no pressure. Some discussion and searching thru boxes that held engine parts while disassembled produces pickup tube,lots of bad words. All worked out eventually. Consider yourself a member of the "club"...

Richard Miller

funny thing I had read for decades that 13b swap.

1. SE front cover
2. 74-85 13b oil pan
3 SE cross bar and 13b engine mounts

all the talk of modifying the bar seemed to stem from using the 12a bar.

This also means that I have the GSL-SE/ Automatic transmission left mount. Did I buy the wrong one? it is the thicker one compared to the standard 12a unit.

GSLSEforme

Majority of swaps needing all those parts was to adapt S4-S5 engines to 1st gen chassis.
You have 1st gen SE engine,you have correct 13B mounts,only need to modify 12A mounting bracket to fit 13B mounts.
You have the correct 13B mount.

peejay

I thought GSL-SE and 12A used the same crossbar, all length differences were made up in the crossmember.

Of course, I bought an RB crossbar AFTER I modified a 12A unit to drop a 13B where a 12A once was.... for the second time in my life...

(First was putting a GSL-SE motor in my '84. Jeez, shocked I still have that car. Second was dropping a S4 motor in my '81 since I can't find a good running 12A or parts to build one... have rotors, have rotor housings, can't find good side housings)

Richard Miller

peejay

....and then you remember that you have to take the mount bar back off if you want to get a wrench on the front oil cooler line

Richard Miller

The goal behind the installation was to get the engine in the bay so I can get the car painted. My bodyman highly suggested to install the engine first to reduce the "Oh ****" moments later. seems I should be able to jack the engine from the bell housing to support it. If not I have a hoist. peejay, that did make me chuckle.

peejay

Might want to bag the engine to keep dust off of it...

I used to tell people to do the bodywork, THEN the engine, because you can pad everything with blankets but the dust created by sanding and spraying is insidious, just gets everywhere.

Richard Miller

believe me. it will be sealed. just needed some pics to show progress.

cpt_gloval

iTrader: (1)

Hey if you need some extra muscle or set of eyes for your project give me a shout, I think we might be fairly close to each other. I know it's pretty hard to get an engine in with just one person's worth of hands.

Richard Miller

Thanks, But I think I have it. Also I am in central Washington. So I'm just a bit further than you may think. I do appreciate the offer.