I am ready to re-install these in my '91, are the factory lift points designed to take this load? The rear lift ring is bolted to the middle intake manifold and the front lift is stamped steel.

Anybody done it this way before? Or is safer to install the trans first then drop in and bolt up the engine?

 

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=225426

 

Well, from that picture it looks like it held

But was it easier threading it into the tunnel then it would be to just bolt it together after the tran is in?

 

Everybody has their own opinion on that subject. It's easier to allign the engine and transmission if you bolt them toghther prior to installation, but like you guessed, it's easier to get them in the car if you bolt them together afterward.

 

Hmmmm

 

Hehehe, if it helps any, here is the paranoid helicopter viewpoint...

If you screw up the engine/transmission allignment, you can ruin your clutch, snap a bolt, or break a mounting flange on the engine or transmission. Therefore, it's safer to put them together first, and then deal with wedging the unit into the car.

 

I USUALLY install the engine/tranny as a unit.

 

That's me! "a paranoid helicopter guy"

I wasn't looking forward to laying on my back and trying to align the input shaft into the clutch, just not my idea of a good time!

 

It helps ALOT to have an engine leveler!

 

Hehehe, the difference between an airplane pilot and a helicopter pilot is that the airplane pilot sits there wondering if something is going to go wrong, while a helicopter pilot sits there wondering when something is going to go wrong.

 

I knew I missed my calling in life. I should have been in helicopters! 'Cause something always goes wrong

 

LOL

A fellow helicopter pilot once told me that "Just because you are paranoid, it doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you".

 

Ok, I'm not sure if this would work or not... got this idea from the Subaru guys...

Has anybody tried lifting the engine and transmission into place from *under* the car? It's been a while since I've seen the underside of an FC so I can't remember just how much space there is. But if you can remove the subframe you should be able to lift the car high enough on jacks to roll the engine and trasmission under the car.

First bolt the motor mounts to the subframe, slide the engine and transmission under the car, chain it to a hoist, and then lower the car as you raise the engine and transmission. When you get it high enough I wouldn't think it'd be too terribly difficult to line up the transmission mount and subframe up.

Once again, I can't remember what the underside of an FC looks like anymore. I can't even remember what the motormounts bolt to. Just a thought, don't flame me too bad if it isn't possible.

 

Possible but a gigantic pain in the ***, unless...you had a lift.

 

This is SO much easier then unbolting the transmission. Of all the FC motor swaps ive done (more then I care to remember), I have found that taking the motor/tranny out as one peice is infinately easier.

Jarrett

 

I totaly agree. I have done three swaps in the past year and half and pull/installed them all as a unit.

 

pull it together. way easier.

 

Ok, together it is! I just wished that I had a leveler, is it absolutely necessary?

 

Its not necessary, but it makes it a HELL of alot easier.

Jarrett

 

I have never used a leveler. Most of the time it isnt that hard. Only once did it take a little work to get it hooked up to the driveshaft.

 

Thank goodness I have access to a lift.

 

Jack the back of the car up instead of the front and you can do it without a levler.

 

Jack the back end up I would not have thought of that!

How much ?

 

I normally install the engine, then bolt the transmission up afterwards. Alot easier to lift a transmission in place then to wrestle with an engine.

 

I think I had the back wheels about a foot off the ground. jack it up until the trans will go straight through the trans tunnel, slide the engine/trans in, bolt the trans mount on, and set the engine on its mounts. Then you can raise the front and finish installing the engine stuff.

I didn't even spill any gear oil.