Engine Install - Lessons Learned
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40
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From: Colorado Springs Colorado
Engine Install - Lessons Learned
My son and I installed the engine in my 73 Corvette this weekend. I thought I would pass on a list of observations/lessons from our experience. The following was our experience, so your mileage may vary.
1973 Corvette - 355 small block, 4 spd Muncie, Edelbrock heads, Performer RPM intake, Holley 670 Avenger, Dynomax ceramic headers.
- Installed engine with tranny attached and filled with fluid and Hurst Comp/Plus shifter and linkage installed and adjusted. Wired the tranny yoke in place, so no leaks - no clearance probs
- Distributor installed with cap and wires in place, sparkplugs too - no clearance probs
- Power steering pump and starter installed - no clearance probs
- Engine hoist hook in the center hole of intake lift plate - the whole unit tilted slightly toward tranny end (perfect angle)
- Engine and tranny unit slipped right in with the car on all 4 wheels with the engine hoist rolling in straight from the front of car
- Car was then jacked up to get front wheels off the floor. Headers installed from underneath, both sides
- Dynomax headers needed to be dented to clear Z-bar clutch linkage
- Installed radiator/shroud/radiator frame/lower hose as a single unit - slipped right in (make sure you have the lower hose clamp pointed so you can access it from below)
- Stock 73 hood will clear Performer RPM, Holley Avenger and 3'' filter on drop based air cleaner (used grandson's Playdoh to check, still have 3/4 " clearance)
- Test starter with existing wiring BEFORE putting on headers. Very tedious to switch wires after
Overall, it went pretty smooth. Most of our time was spent re-wiring starter AFTER attempting to start the car. We also spent a fair amount of time installing/re-installing driver side header after clearancing for clutch Z-bar. Oh yeah, had to make a couple trips to Autozone to find stiff enough fuel line that would not collapse when making the tight S-shape when attaching to fuel pump to incoming fuel tank hard line.
1973 Corvette - 355 small block, 4 spd Muncie, Edelbrock heads, Performer RPM intake, Holley 670 Avenger, Dynomax ceramic headers.
- Installed engine with tranny attached and filled with fluid and Hurst Comp/Plus shifter and linkage installed and adjusted. Wired the tranny yoke in place, so no leaks - no clearance probs
- Distributor installed with cap and wires in place, sparkplugs too - no clearance probs
- Power steering pump and starter installed - no clearance probs
- Engine hoist hook in the center hole of intake lift plate - the whole unit tilted slightly toward tranny end (perfect angle)
- Engine and tranny unit slipped right in with the car on all 4 wheels with the engine hoist rolling in straight from the front of car
- Car was then jacked up to get front wheels off the floor. Headers installed from underneath, both sides
- Dynomax headers needed to be dented to clear Z-bar clutch linkage
- Installed radiator/shroud/radiator frame/lower hose as a single unit - slipped right in (make sure you have the lower hose clamp pointed so you can access it from below)
- Stock 73 hood will clear Performer RPM, Holley Avenger and 3'' filter on drop based air cleaner (used grandson's Playdoh to check, still have 3/4 " clearance)
- Test starter with existing wiring BEFORE putting on headers. Very tedious to switch wires after
Overall, it went pretty smooth. Most of our time was spent re-wiring starter AFTER attempting to start the car. We also spent a fair amount of time installing/re-installing driver side header after clearancing for clutch Z-bar. Oh yeah, had to make a couple trips to Autozone to find stiff enough fuel line that would not collapse when making the tight S-shape when attaching to fuel pump to incoming fuel tank hard line.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
[QUOTE=. Oh yeah, had to make a couple trips to Autozone to find stiff enough fuel line that would not collapse when making the tight S-shape when attaching to fuel pump to incoming fuel tank hard line.[/QUOTE]
There is a special line made for this. Most of the Vette supply houses have these. It prevents kinking as you found out.
There is a special line made for this. Most of the Vette supply houses have these. It prevents kinking as you found out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colo
Hmmmm...my SBC is going into my '73 this weekend....better look into the fuel line now as I yanked the old stiff one and cut off a piece from my roll o' fuel line to replace it......Thanks for the tip.
John
John
