Help!!! Engine and Transmission Installation problems!!!
 

Ok so I can't get my engine and transmission in... someone have any ideas? they are both out, should I put the tranny in and then put the engine in? is this easiest? I had engine in and I couldn't get the tranny to slide into position. Could this have been because the pilot bearing was not all the way in?

Since I put the 2 together and taken them apart today when I put it back together it seems to slide together much easier.

I would keep it all together. I think it's easier to put them in as a unit. But, it's really six of one, half dozen of another.

If you have the clearance I would put it in as one unit. And considering that you think its possible that the pilot bearring may have interfered with any previous attempts , you may want to replace it again just in case. You'll be very irritated with yourself if you finally get it all back in with a damaged pilot bearing. Its crucial that the pilot bearing is not damaged when you mate the tranny to the engine upon reinstall.

On my first couple of reinstalls I was doing it by myself, after getting frustrated I literally palm striked the tranny into place like I was bruce lee or something. Needless to say, in the end, this was a bad thing.

hmmm that could suck maybe I should pull it out and check see...

I just think it is being difficult and I can't put it all in as one due to clearence issues with the cherry picker arm. so I am stuck going in seperate.

Ass it is I am almost in completely....but I need like 2 inches to be seated, and I don't think I have f'd up the pilot bearing.

Best bet is to figure out a way to put them in as one... It'll save you a world of trouble trying to align the clutch...

Well, then I would really suggest a friend to help you.

You should secure the tranny first. Then with motor mounts OFF, get under the car and guid the engine in from the bottem while a friend helps you out on the top. Once its in that's when you put the motor mounts on.

If you're trying to do this by yourself, chances are its going to make you crazy, and you'll probably fuck up the pilot. But it can be done, if you're patient and careful.

ok... so I have the 2 together and the clutch is turning when the engine is turned over by hand. BUT I can't get them to go together anymore, and they are about 1 to 1.5 inches in spacing...

pull the tranny off, inspect the pilot bearing, make sure it didnt become unseated, inspect around the area of where the tranny and engine mate, make sure there is nothing in the way, i have done that before on a 86 toyota truck, align the clucht again, put the tranny back on the engine, if you get it to go, just bolt it down to spec and try to either rent or borrow a better crane or let the engine sit 3 inches lower than you would normally load it on the crane, get like four dudes and have them lift it up while you push the crane, ive had to do this before and it works

I've been in this position before. My suggestion is to back all the bolts of all the way. Get a friend, and have them push it from the top while you wiggle the bottem. one time, after stuggling with it myself, my buddy isaac came over and we had it in, in less than a minute.

You don't have anyone else to help you??

I already pulled the engine and checked pilot bearing after first attempt and everything was good, felt smooth in motion... the pilot bearing seal had shown what looked like pissble wear but nothing to be worried about. I had oodles of trouble just getting them to seat together when I had them both out of the car, so I can't believe they slide together with great easy when they are in the car. I think everything is aligned, just wonder if it is safe to use bolts to suck them together to get them fully seated?

Help me out people.

I thought about that method before, but never tried it. I chickened out thinking I might damage the clutch disk. By the way, a stupid question. Did you use a clutch disk alignment tool, or did you just eye ball it?

Set the cherry picker Up higher..(if you can)..like put it on a higher Platform than just the wheels of the picker..that way you should be able to set the whole thing in and the arm doesn't hit the car..(I'm Lookin at a mental picture of what you are tyrin to do ..Hopefully this is a cure)..If not ..try to install the Trans with the engine in..But angle the Engine..to get the trans to line up with the Engine from the underside of the car..I've heard this also may help..In any case Good luck..(check that Pilot bearing too)

When I did my clutch, after several attempts, and taking back apart, something was pointed out to me that made the two go right togther. With engine in place, get tranny as close to alignment as possible, without trying to mate. Then, go to engine bay and use a board, 2x4, and cock the top front of engine (by radiator) down. When I dropped the tranny , the engine actually rocked up, from tranny weight not being there.

When I pryed it down, SOB slid right in. Give it a shot, worked like a champ on my 90 vert.

PEACE THE MUTT

The part that is hitting on the car is the ram portion of the cherry picker, the engine will go in to the point that it is hitting the firewall with if I just have the engine on so getting it in far enough is not a big problem. I tried installing the engine then the transmission with the engine cocked back till it was against the firewall so there was plenty of angle for them to mate up, but it was still a pain in the ass and didn't go.

I did use an alignment tool to get the clutch and all lined up, and now when the engine is turned over by hand the the tranny spline moves also, so this means they are mated, they just don't want to seat together. I pulled the engine and checked the pilot bearing and saw no damage after first try. I will pull it again this morning and check to see if it is damaged or unseated but I am sure it is fine since I have not jammed on it or forced the thing in really, just a little shimmy here and there to try and get them to seat.

I think the reason I am getting any kind of resistence is because the clutch and the pilot bearing hole are not perfectly aligned (I am talking mm's or less) and this is causing a litttle resistence.

I don't have to explain what it's like when something tight is difficult to penetrate exactly! But if you are to consider the size of the pilot bearing, to shaft, and engine and tranny, a few mm is major. Hold your mouth right, and it will go right in. I screwed with it for hours, went and got some dinner, came back, tilted engine, went in first time. You'll get it.

PEACE THE MUTT

this is fucking ridiculous...

Is it just me or is this the most frustrating part of working on this car.

I think I need 2 people under the car with the tranny putting it in position, since one person just isn't enough.

engine and tranny are both at same angle... I think the problem is that with just one person minipulating tranny and one person holding tranny in place the person doing the tranny is not going straight in and is hitting and rubbing on the pilot bearing seal causing extra difficulty.

Look at your pictures very carefully. Do you see the problem?

Great photos by the way. In picture number 2, look at the difference in the gap from top of tranny to bottom by oil pan. Gap is bigger at top. Tilt the engine down, using a board. Find a place to wedge it there. Also, the whole transmission needs to got to the passengers side a bit. Meaning, the back, where the driveshaft goes in, needs to go towards the passenger side. Trust me.

PEACE THE MUTT

Thanx for your help everyone... I think I am all good now that the engine and tranny are seated. I just need to get the motor mounts lined up with the mount holes and everything is great... I am so freaking annoyed right now its not even funny.

so far one hard part don't time for faze 2.