Engine install advice?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Engine install advice?
OK...I need some simple advice. I'm about to slip my ZZ4 and 2004R into my spankin' clean engine room. From previous posts and pix, everything is out of the bay except steering relay and linkages, and brake booster. Radiator, fans shroud, etc is OUT.
My question....I plan to install the engine and trans together, engine WITHOUT water pump, distributor, fuel pump...JUST the block, heads, and intake (I figure the smaller, the better...a mantra I've lived by my whole life, BTW
). WHAT do I need to install, hook up, etc PRIOR to dropping in the engine/trans?? I think the trans dipstick may need to go in first..ANYTHING else I might be overlooking?? I will get the new Vintage Air blower motor in first, while theres lots of room! I want as much play room as possible when it goes in, so I'm not putting on any engine accessories to hang up or get scratched up. And I'll be sure to use a CHAIN this time (no web strap!)
Oh, one more thing...would it be best to position the hooker sidepipe headers in place while the engine is being lowered into the bay?? Or wait and do those at a later time?? They may be in the way hooking up everything else...? It'd be nice to get them in there as the motor goes in.
Thanks!!!
This...
Into here...
My question....I plan to install the engine and trans together, engine WITHOUT water pump, distributor, fuel pump...JUST the block, heads, and intake (I figure the smaller, the better...a mantra I've lived by my whole life, BTW
). WHAT do I need to install, hook up, etc PRIOR to dropping in the engine/trans?? I think the trans dipstick may need to go in first..ANYTHING else I might be overlooking?? I will get the new Vintage Air blower motor in first, while theres lots of room! I want as much play room as possible when it goes in, so I'm not putting on any engine accessories to hang up or get scratched up. And I'll be sure to use a CHAIN this time (no web strap!)Oh, one more thing...would it be best to position the hooker sidepipe headers in place while the engine is being lowered into the bay?? Or wait and do those at a later time?? They may be in the way hooking up everything else...? It'd be nice to get them in there as the motor goes in.
Thanks!!!
This...
Into here...
Last edited by MakoShark72; Feb 10, 2008 at 06:03 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: AL
I replaced the engine in my 71 last year with a crate motor. I dropped the engine and trans in as a single unit (4 speed muncie). I had a complete engine built. I removed the carb and the distributer cap. I also have hooker headers, and I placed them in the engine bay first. Witht he radiator and cor esupport out, you will have plenty of room. Make sure you have a load leveler for your hoist - it's worth its wight in gold. Also make sure you have enough ceiling height. I have the standard low garage ceiing (little under 10 ft) and I had plenty of room. You will get great results if you jack up the front end a little. You will have to bring the hoist in from the side, as the vette nose is too long for most hoists. Take your time, and have a helper to help guide it in. Good luck! 
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
I replaced the engine in my 71 last year with a crate motor. I dropped the engine and trans in as a single unit (4 speed muncie). I had a complete engine built. I removed the carb and the distributer cap. I also have hooker headers, and I placed them in the engine bay first. Witht he radiator and cor esupport out, you will have plenty of room. Make sure you have a load leveler for your hoist - it's worth its wight in gold. Also make sure you have enough ceiling height. I have the standard low garage ceiing (little under 10 ft) and I had plenty of room. You will get great results if you jack up the front end a little. You will have to bring the hoist in from the side, as the vette nose is too long for most hoists. Take your time, and have a helper to help guide it in. Good luck!
You won't be able to go at it from the front. I left my trans in when I pulled my motor, but it sounds like you've got things thought out well. I'd wait off on the headers. They might get in the way.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Thanks guys, for the advice. I obviously pulled the old motor out, so I know about the height and side issues. I'm more concerned about things that need, or should, be done prior to install. Things that will be a bitch to hook up or install once the motor and tranny is dropped in. The mechanics of hoisting the motor and dropping it in, well I've got that stuff figured out. I think I've got a handle on it, just figured, as usual, theres things I have not thought about!
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: AL
Another thing I learned is that if you leave the radiator core out for a while, the front end will sag. That happened to me. I could not get the sucker bolted back in. I finally put the wheels back on and let the car down to sit overnight. The next day, it was almost lined back up, but I still had to do some good prying and swearing to get it back in. Things you learn for the next go 'round....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Another thing I learned is that if you leave the radiator core out for a while, the front end will sag. That happened to me. I could not get the sucker bolted back in. I finally put the wheels back on and let the car down to sit overnight. The next day, it was almost lined back up, but I still had to do some good prying and swearing to get it back in. Things you learn for the next go 'round....
Thanks.
