Your opinion on engine replacement method

Bob from Northport

Bob from Northport

Well-known member
I am curious about which method you guys use to install an engine back into a car after rebuilding. Do you install with the transmission installed in the car and attach the engine, or as a complete unit with engine and trans. as one piece??

Bob
 
I usually have the transmission attached and hooked up to the motor and the front sheet metal off the car or at least the radiator and grill off...then it will roll straight in with an engine hoist...
 
Bob from Northport said:
I am curious about which method you guys use to install an engine back into a car after rebuilding. Do you install with the transmission installed in the car and attach the engine, or as a complete unit with engine and trans. as one piece??

Bob
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Install with the transmission installed in the car and attach the engine.
 
Gumpy said:
I usually have the transmission attached and hooked up to the motor and the front sheet metal off the car or at least the radiator and grill off...then it will roll straight in with an engine hoist...
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This is usually what I do as well. Then you don't have to lay on your back as much.
 
I leave the ****** in the car - or truck. If the ****** has to come out for rebuilding or repair i put it back in the car first, then install the engine. Two little pieces to install are easier to me than one big piece. ken
 
Leave the ****** in when just taking the motor out. But be sure to check the transmission for wear and what not! I forgot this step and now I have to pull the ****** out and leave the engine in. Lesson learned but also an education on dropping the rear end to get the ****** out!
 
One or two tricks to a fast(er) installation is to use "alignment pins" screwed into the Flywheel Housing which are nothing more than a bolt that has the head cut off and the shank of the bolt under the head area sharpened some. We use a couple that are different lengths so as you are going in, you 'stab' one hole into the Clutch Housing and then rock the engine to align the second pin. These are generally just screwed in one or two threads so they are easily removed with your fingers once the transmission's input shaft has been installed into the pilot bushing.

On the ones where the transmission is going in with the engine and you are trying to keep the Universal Joint grease cup in alignment with the rear bearing retainer, a set of needle-nose Vise-Grips holds this into position while the U-joint is being splined.

.
 
bogdonj said:
Leave the ****** in when just taking the motor out. But be sure to check the transmission for wear and what not! I forgot this step and now I have to pull the ****** out and leave the engine in. Lesson learned but also an education on dropping the rear end to get the ****** out!
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I wouldtake out engine and transmission as one abbeembly.goodluk.
 
I always put the bell housing and transmission on the engine and install it all as one piece. Last time I borrowed a frame spreader that made the job much easier.
 
I will be doing this in the near future, and assumed that I would be taking the engine and transmission out in one piece, but would obviously have to disconnect the front wishbone and support the frame first. If I leave the transmission in the car, what supports it? Is it precariously balanced on the front wishbone pivot, with the torque tube stopping it flopping forwards? And the pedals/handbrake wedged against the floor?
 
I remember the first one I did. It was using nothing but planks and a couple screw-jacks. I don't reccommend it ! Ah, those were the days !
MIKE :)
 
Rem said:
I will be doing this in the near future, and assumed that I would be taking the engine and transmission out in one piece, but would obviously have to disconnect the front wishbone and support the frame first. If I leave the transmission in the car, what supports it? Is it precariously balanced on the front wishbone pivot, with the torque tube stopping it flopping forwards? And the pedals/handbrake wedged against the floor?
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When I did mine I supported the transmission with a small jack. The jack also helps align the input shaft when you re-install the engine.
 
I just remove engine only with a jack under the ****** after engine is out I have drilled an 1/8 hole at the bottom of the fire wall then using a wire coat hanger make an S shape hook it in the hole drilled in the fire wall and the other end in the top hole of the ****** case and it holds it in place and can remove the jack, keeps it at the right level until ready to replace engine.
my .02 cents
Gord. B by the Bay
 
Rem said:
I will be doing this in the near future, and assumed that I would be taking the engine and transmission out in one piece, but would obviously have to disconnect the front wishbone and support the frame first. If I leave the transmission in the car, what supports it? Is it precariously balanced on the front wishbone pivot, with the torque tube stopping it flopping forwards? And the pedals/handbrake wedged against the floor?
Click to expand...

I made a pair of hooks from #10 wire. They go thru 2 ****** bolt holes and hang from the motor mounts. Use a jack while pulling the motor and as soon as it clears put the hooks in. With them in place the car can be moved at will.
 
I personally find it easier by keeping the Trans in the car and then putting in the engine. I have done 3 engines this way and haven't had any trouble.

Just my two cents.
 
I'm still learning mechanical terms so what I read on here or in magazines/books and doing some stuff on the car/engine is my mechanical training.

In reading the posts above on the engine and trans, I see majority prefer to have the ****** mounted first before the engine is hoisted in place.

BUT, I don't know which category the bell housing falls into- I would consider the bell housing part of the ******- the pressure plate/clutch are part of the engine

What do you guys consider clutch bell housing to be part of, the transmission or do you consider it part of the engine?

Your answer will help me understand if the bell is part of the ****** then that would be mounted first in the car- if the bell is part of the engine then after the ****** is installed, you mount the engine with the bell.
 
Wuudie - The bell housing is "part" of the transmission. The four bolts holding the housing to the transmission are inside the bell housing. Thus the housing has to be bolted to the transmission before the engine is bolted to the housing.

I hope that makes sense.
 
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