this is the second rx7 I've pit an engine into and the last one went smoothly.

We had some issues today!!

We got the drivers side engine mount in place the gearbox sitting more or less perfect with the flywheel. The passenger side mount was in place, but not quite right as the threaded part wasn't sitting in the whole.

We then tried lifting the engine slightly, taking the mount off and sitting it where it should be. Then attempted tobilt it to the block. That didn't go so well as we only got one of the holes lined up.

At this point we had had enough for the day. Dropped the engine back down and now the top 1/2 of the block isn't sitting well with the gearbox.

We're gonna lift it back up 2mw, put the mount on the block 100%, then lift the car slighty. Aim is one of us to go underneath and guide it into place. Arrrrgh!?!?


Is there a full proof way to do this? Like I said last time it wasn't this bad!

Thanks in advance!!

 

Jim, there are various methods but none of them are fool proof. The method that works for me very well is installing the engine with the motor mounts either off and then once I have the tyranny and engine mated and bolted up, I lift the engine to get the clearance I need to put the mounts on.

I highly recommend this method as I can generally get the motor mated and bolted up in less than 30 minutes.

The motor mounts are a pain in the *** to work with when reinstalling the engine.

 

I'll give it a try mate... willing to give any method a try after todays pain in the ***!

 

I have put in one motor with out having the mounts on the motor .The last one I did with the mounts off because they were after market and not as flexable as stock .To get the bolts in and tight I cut a socket down in length on the lathe . The tranny was bolted tight and I needed clearance between the motor and sub frame . The mount bolts were in the sub frame with the nuts on one or two turns .

 

There is a small opening in the subframe through which you can stick a prybar or large screwdriver. Using that and a hammer you should be able to knock the mount into place.

 

When i did my motor i just install it with the motor mount and tran , seem to work fine with me and that was my frist motor i pull out.

 

Exactly, you want the engine slightly lifted with the hoist but still resting on the subframe lightly, you can use a large flat head screw driver and pry the mount over into place.

Dont try to get the motor mounts in place until the motor/tranny are properly connected and bolted together. Once that is done you can use a jack under the trans to lift the engine and use a short 3/8 drive 17mm socet and standard 3/8 ratchet. With the engine jacked up from the transmission until it starts to lift the car, you will have clearance enough to install the motor mounts back onto the block.

Once you have the engine/trans connected properly and the motor mounts installed follow what rotary experiment seven said and use the small holes next to the motor mount holes to get leverage with a screw driver and you should be able to pop the mounts into place within a couple minutes.

 

It is much easier to leave the mounts on if you are installing the motor and trans together, however, I think he left the trans in the car.

 

Yeah I did.. I left the box in the car.

 

Yep. This is the exact reason I recommend pulling the transmission if you will be reinstalling with the stock motor mounts. It's much easier to install back into the car if you are using the stock engine mounts if you already have the transmission mated. Not that it's impossible to do, but it's not really that much extra effort to pull the transmission and IMO saves this headache from happening.

If you are using aftermarket engine mounts, you easily mate the engine and the transmission in the the car, then just get the pucks in place.

 

I'm having this fun right now actually...Now the bolts holding the mount to the motor are being hookers and barely not lining up. Lot of fun. lol

 

I always just drop the subframe slightly. Takes 20-30 minutes and you NEVER have to deal with shimmying the engine and then prying the mounts into place.

 

The motor is in YAY i am happy and my Rx7 will run soon

 

I prefer to pull the tranny with the engine also. It only takes 10 mins or so to get everything out of the way for it to come out too. Then actually disconnecting it later is an easier process, and putting it back in is cake.