engine installation question…could use some help
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,954
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
engine installation question…could use some help
I have my engine and trans out and have the new combo ready to go in and was told by some to install the trans and then the motor and others have said the better way is to install them together….any help would be appreciated along with and helpful hits. as always thank you in advance
Bud2
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 4
From: Warrnambool Victoria
OK, I'll chip in but I work on C2s though. If both are out why not bolt them together and put them in as a single unit? Dunno, I can't see a reason why you would want to put the tranny in first then the engine. I'm sure someone with way more smarts than me will soon set me straight!
Bud.
Bud.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; The Question is engine bay room, & height of engine hoist. If you have the room, & the hoist height, I would bolt it all together & slip it in. Recently I asked the question of. could I pull the engine out, without pulling the radiator & shroud out. One of the Corvette Forum members said; No Problem. I did just that., If you still have the drive shaft in it, Get a friend to start the shaft into the transmission too! Putting it in together will save a lot of crawling time on the floor, if you don't have a lift. Have a great day. Gene
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
I put them in separately. I did not have a lift, so all the work was with the car on jack stands. I slid the trans under and strapped it to a low scissor type trans jack(cheap one from harbor freight). That made the clearance issue a lot easier to deal with installing the engine only. With the weight of the engine shared by the hoist and the frame it was easy to manipulate it to line up the transmission. The transmission was easy as well because I could raise or lower the trans jack as needed or tip the transmission. Once they were mated they could be tipped forward a bit to install the cross member and hoist could relieve the weight to nudge it back and forth to line up the trans and motor mounts. Hope this helps.
-Rick
-Rick
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I always put the tranny in and then the motor, just did it a few months ago. tranny and motor at the same time, the angle you have to get the whole unit it was too much for me, I also have an I beam in the ceiling that I use with a chain hoist so I move the car back and forth to get the right position another reason I do them separately. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
I always try and do them both together. All you have to do is put the car on stands, and take off the wheels. You really need to do this anyway to disconnect the stuff underneath.
I strongly recommend a load level. Without it, you are really wrestling with the combination.
I do not remove the radiator shroud, but I suppose you could and it would be even easier.
Anyway, here is a link I posted when I put my motor/trans in. It may prove helpful. Lots of pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...s-of-pics.html
I strongly recommend a load level. Without it, you are really wrestling with the combination.
I do not remove the radiator shroud, but I suppose you could and it would be even easier.
Anyway, here is a link I posted when I put my motor/trans in. It may prove helpful. Lots of pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...s-of-pics.html
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