Looking like Friday the engine for my car will move from garage to where the car is. This will be the first time the engine has been in the same area as the car in at least 15 years. I'm hoping to get it installed before Christmas.

Pulled the side cover off the original tranny and it looked good. I'll likely spray a little paint on the frame before I install the engine. Today we moved some stuff around to make room. Also put somethings back on another 70 that we have, so that when time to put the engine in we can move it.

Soon I will hopefully have all the boxes of parts out of my garage and be installed on this car. I only need to get the tranny yoke, rubber fuel lines (original ones there),battery, coolant, likely distributor cap/rotor, and plug wires. I may borrow a yoke from another car to button it up, unless I order a new one before I'm to that point. Some of the parts were lost by the previous owner, but the majority of everything is there. I'm sure there are other parts needed, but should not be major ones, hopefully.

The engine would be moved tomorrow if the wife didn't need a MRI on her shoulder. Still debating on installing the engine and tranny together, and likely will come down to the length of the engine hoist arm and front end clearance. If nothing else hoping to install the engine complete with exhaust manifolds, PS, alternator, and without AC.

 

 

Did some painting. It was borderline too cold and probably rushed it a little. Should have removed hardware which would have resulted in better work. Such is life and likely will do some work after the engine is in.

I did find the drive shaft and yoke were there, which was a pleasant surprise. Will have a fresh painted one with u-joints for sale soon.

 

looking better!!! I pulled and put back in my engine with a cherry picker by myself. no transmission attached, jack stands high enough to put automatic trans in and then lift with floor jack and slide right back in, with yours being a 4-speed, it should go in easier, with maybe a second person to help lift and guide it in.

 

looking better!!! I pulled and put back in my engine with a cherry picker by myself. no transmission attached, jack stands high enough to put automatic trans in and then lift with floor jack and slide right back in, with yours being a 4-speed, it should go in easier, with maybe a second person to help lift and guide it in.

 

I will be doing the engine install with at least one other person. It would be easier if this was a small block or didn't have AC. I'm not sure my hoist will have the reach to go in from the front. If going from side it will have bellousing on. I won't be putting that foam collar on at the bell housing. The one I have decomposed within the bag.

 

Got the engine with the car for the first time in 20 years. Hopefully tomorrow the two will become one again.

 

Awesome! Another step closer.

 

Started early afternoon to try and get the engine in. The thought was we knew we would be tight trying to install from the front, but had the clearance. Sadly we were wrong.

States with removing from roll around cart. We put the flywheel on, and realized that I had misplaced the replacement flywheel bolts. That is no issue have the original ones. Start to torque them and doesn't feel good. Realize they are too short. Go to parts store and get longer ones. While I'm doing this,dad is ruining a tap through the threads. Finally got replacement bolts and have them torqued down. Install pilot bearing, and then install clutch. WTF the throughout bearing is plastic?!?!? Will try it, but figure it will need replacing. We attempt to stab the tranny,and get to where the input shaft goes into pilot bearing. It won't move and more. Use tranny bolts to attempt to pull it in, and goes without needing more than one fingers pressure to seat it.

Finally get everything ready,and attempt to install. We get the hoist high enough and pivot the unit to where it's aimed right. Crap the front bumper is too close and the boom isn't long enough. Think about going in from side but the hoist does not like moving sideways. Decide to see if can get some square tubing stock, and will make a longer boom, and also have more inside the hoist to help distribute the load. Going to make it two feet longer in front. Hopefully won't be an issue.

So now the engine assembly is suspended over a empty tire, so that if the ram leaks down it won't be resting on the oil pan.

As we are sorting out the plans, the cold front blows through here in Texas. Goes from 80 to about 39 in brief period of time. Pick up tools and other stuff. Go outside to lock up, and now there is an unknown SUV blocking the drive and gate. Crap we are blocked in, it's late, and cold out. Call the tenant to see if their vehicle, and it's not. Call the police since we are trapped. Verify that it's not register to the tenants we rent a portion to. They confirm it's not and say we are kind of SOL. Dispatch finds a number for the owner. Turns out it was towed to from their employers lit to be worked on. The wrecker dropped it off at the right number, but wrong street. The wrecker company shows up and moved the SUV. That is better than moving via floor jack or dolly.

With some luck we will find a good piece of tubing and make the changes. From there we will attempt to install again. We were so close, yet so far away.

 

And it's in. Bolt are in motor mounts, and floor jack is supporting the transmission.

For the first time in over 20 years they are one. The engine has been out far longer than I've owned it.

 

I see you had to use every inch of extension on that lift, lol!

Nice job on the engine detailing.

 

Great job and congratulations! It is coming together nicely! No matter what the project something always has to go awry to make it more challenging. And, on those few occasions where things went together easily, they resulted in component failure and had to be redone until it was difficult. Then it works great. LOL! Keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming!

 

Andy
The LS5 is tight but looks so nice
Merry Christmas
Wes

 

Nice car. I now own my father's 70 LS5 convertible. it lived in San Antonio for the last 25 years.

 

Bakruda, that's awesome. Post some pictures. The blue car in the pictures is my dads original owner 1970 LT-1 coupe that is 5 star bow tie and Bloomington Survivor. The previous owner of my green LS5, and my dad took off from a light and were running hard through the gears. At about 100 mph the 3.08 geared big block nosed ahead of the 3.70 geared LT-1.

I don't think my wife is going to be too understanding if I go work on the car Saturday or Sunday. I still have to sort out the various electrical connections for AC in the engine compartment.

 

Got parking brake and shift console in. Center gauge cluster is also in place but needs screws in. The radiator tank was a PITA, but its in and hose from heater core is installed on it. Need to run hoses from control valve to intake and water pump to radiator tank. Need to install AC lines as well. The pile of parts that were on the back or in boxes are GREATLY reduced. I would work on it tomorrow, but the wife wants to see me more than just the evenings.

 

Looking good...

 

Looking good!! Keep at it. You'll be firing it up before the end of the weekend.

 

Won't be firing it for a few more weeks. Still need to replace u joints in drive shaft, get battery, put on exhaust, need mufflers, shield for bellhousing (I can't find the one I already have), and a few other things. Some of the parts will be here maybe next week. Doesn't help my vacation is almost over, and go back to work Tuesday.

 

Pace yourself! "Got the time, but no parts........Got the parts, but no time"