Engine install; can't get the damn thing lined up
 

Hey guys,

I've been fighting to get my engine installed for the better part of 2 hours now, and I've gotten no where.

I just can't get the engine mounts lined up along with the tranny.

I have the tranny jacked up as high as I can, but the engine still can't get high enough to line up with it and still have room for the engine mounts to line up properly.

The engine is essentially stripped. There's really nothing else in the way besides trying to get the damn shaft of the transmission into the clutch.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

-Devan

Are you using a hoist and an engine leveler?

Yes, and essentially. I'm just using a chain and some bolts to keep it positioned properly. I haven't had a problem adjusting the angle at all, I just haven't been able to find one that works...

Can someone clarify; The engine mounts remain on the engine and intact, correct?

I connected my engine to the tranny without the motor mounts on the engine. Once they were bolted together I was able to raise the engine high enough to put the mounts on the engine. After that I just wiggled the whole assembly as my friend slowly lowered the engine to get it into the frame.

I believe you can install the motor mounts after the engine is "in".

Edit: mecman beat me to it.




John

did you remove the mount brackets completely from the engine, or did you just remove the bushings themselves?

I used IRP poly mounts and I just took off the pucks and left the arms in place.

are the metal sheaths that go around the pucks necessary? I don't see how I'd be able to put them on after the engine is in place.

if your mounts are original its probably the only thing holding them together

Pull the motor mounts/arms, best to get someone underneath to maneuver the transmission as well.

mission accomplished.

For anyone else who has this issue, here's what I did;

Step 1: remove the engine mounts from the block. (Arms and all, 3 bolts on either side.)

Step 2: Jack up the transmission as high as possible. Keep it as centred as possible.

Step 3: Move as much stuff out of the way as possible. I'm not sure what exactly would get in the way. My block was stripped, and the PS and AC were pulled to the side. I had no issues with room. It seemed like there was enough room for most stuff.

Step 4: Put the bolts in the engine mounts and the engine mounts in the car. The mounts rest fine in their mounting points, and the bolts will rest on the subframe. It's A LOT easier to do this before the engine is in the way.

Step 5: Put the engine in place. Make sure the shaft on the tranny is greased, and just lower it in as best you can. Make sure it's as lined up as you can, then push the engine onto the tranny. This falls under the "just fight with it and keep trying until you get it to work" category.

Step 6: Once you have the tranny and the engine semi-mounted, use bolts through the mating holes to tighten the 2 together. Try to go from multiple holes to get an even fit. Protip: get yourself some longer bolts to use to mate them if you can't get the engine close enough to fit.

Step 7: Once you have the engine and tranny mated properly, make sure the bolts are torqued right and then remove your tranny stand/jack/strong friend. The whole assembly should now be hanging from the engine hoist/leveller/REALLY strong friend.

Step 8: Lower the engine enough so that the bolts of the engine mounts will reach the holes in the block. Keep the mounts in position while you tighten the bolts.

Step 9: Once the bolts are in, but not completely tight (keep them loose for positioning), lower the engine onto the mounts. Finish tightening the mount bracket bolts (you should have just enough room to fit a wrench|) and lower the engine completely.

Step 10: Remove the engine hoist, put on and torque the 2 main engine mount nuts, and enjoy!

*Keep in mind, this is one of those frustrating "fight with it until it works" jobs. If you can't get it to work, keep at it and try until you do. This may require a lot of jiggling the engine hoist and changing the angle/position of the engine.


Hope that helps!

When I did mine I pulled the tranny with the engine. To mate it back up when putting it back in I rotated the engine (on a stand) with flywheel up, picked up the tranny and put it on vertically. it was pretty easy.

I left the main part of the mount arms attached to the engine (was worried about oil leaks/cracked plates from the RTV) and put the poly part in the engine mount holes. Ran a couple bolts from under the car through the poly holes and up so that I could line up the engine mount holes when lowering it in. Lined up, pull the bolt, install the mounting bolt from top of motor mount down into subframe, done :)

I install engine and trans together for max time savings.