Engine install nightmare
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Engine install nightmare
Yesterday I attempted to install the engine I rebuilt. For the life of me I could not get the engine and transmission to align. I dropped the engine in from the side. The jacks I have could not fit under the trans without hitting the legs on the crane or the jack stands. So I used the corvette jack with a peice of wood to support the tranny. After several hours (got dark outside) I lifted the engine out of the car. Now here's where the nightmare begins. After lowering the engine onto a cradle and disassembling the crane, I began to push on the engine the engine tipped over on its side!!!!!! ( have to assemble/disassemble the crane because of it will not fit through my back door) I had to reassemble the crane, lifted the engine and put it on a dolly. I cannot get it into the house because the floor patent on my door is raised (2-3" high) so I left it at my back door. I never had this much trouble installing an engine. I removed and reinstalled this engine on two other occasions one time in a garage with limited space. Since it hs been a while, I'm open to suggestions on getting the engine and trans to mate. The engine does not have any damage from the fall.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Jan 19, 2017 at 09:36 AM.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Are you doing this by yourself? My helper (wife) and I guided the engine into the bay the same as you. I then got under the car and my wife jiggled the engine backwards just a bit while I guided the 4-sp tranny onto two guide bolts I made and screwed into the bh. Then the engine was pushed back a bit more to slide the input shaft into the pilot bushing. Then, removed guide bolts and tightened the four bh bolts.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Good morning Gkull. Engine is now out of the car. I could not push the engine into the tranny (auto) Will doing what you mentioned help? If so, I've got to get the
engine block dowels into the bellhop song. I tried the studs trick and it didn't work
engine block dowels into the bellhop song. I tried the studs trick and it didn't work
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Are you doing this by yourself? My helper (wife) and I guided the engine into the bay the same as you. I then got under the car and my wife jiggled the engine backwards just a bit while I guided the 4-sp tranny onto two guide bolts I made and screwed into the bh. Then the engine was pushed back a bit more to slide the input shaft into the pilot bushing. Then, removed guide bolts and tightened the four bh bolts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 483
From: Salmon Arm, BC
Keep at it, they will fit together as you know. A helper in when doing this kind of stuff is a real bonus. Make sure that clutch plate (if it's a standard trans) is exactly centred or it will cause you grief
Keep at it...it will go
Just found out i'ts a auto...a little grease or lube on the aligning dowels, and what Big2bird said about the converter....spin it as your sliding it onto the trans.
Keep at it...it will go
Just found out i'ts a auto...a little grease or lube on the aligning dowels, and what Big2bird said about the converter....spin it as your sliding it onto the trans.
Last edited by OMF; Jan 19, 2017 at 10:45 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Are you doing this by yourself? My helper (wife) and I guided the engine into the bay the same as you. I then got under the car and my wife jiggled the engine backwards just a bit while I guided the 4-sp tranny onto two guide bolts I made and screwed into the bh. Then the engine was pushed back a bit more to slide the input shaft into the pilot bushing. Then, removed guide bolts and tightened the four bh bolts.
Keep at it, they will fit together as you know. A helper in when doing this kind of stuff is a real bonus. Make sure that clutch plate (if it's a standard trans) is exactly centred or it will cause you grief
Keep at it...it will go
Just found out i'ts a auto...a little grease or lube on the aligning dowels, and what Big2bird said about the converter....spin it as your sliding it onto the trans.
Keep at it...it will go
Just found out i'ts a auto...a little grease or lube on the aligning dowels, and what Big2bird said about the converter....spin it as your sliding it onto the trans.
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Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,022
From: New Braunfels Texas
The only things holding it back from joining is the crank pilot on the convertor and the dowels....
Inspect the convertor pilot/locator where it joins to the crank and the crank itself........look for burrs or out of round......
I have done automatics a thousand times alone......when they do not go it is either what I just explained or the engine is not straight with the trans when you go to join.....(cocked to the left or right)......
Let us know what you find......I have had to man handle and shake them in a few times......I once had a TCI convertor that I literally had to file a leader on the pilot for it to find its way in......
Jebby
Inspect the convertor pilot/locator where it joins to the crank and the crank itself........look for burrs or out of round......
I have done automatics a thousand times alone......when they do not go it is either what I just explained or the engine is not straight with the trans when you go to join.....(cocked to the left or right)......
Let us know what you find......I have had to man handle and shake them in a few times......I once had a TCI convertor that I literally had to file a leader on the pilot for it to find its way in......
Jebby
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
On the side that you are approaching from with the engine, use a jack on the frame under the A pillar, and remove the jack that is forward on the frame. That way, the legs of the hoist will not strike the jack as the hoist is maneuvered. Then once the engine is almost set (weight still on the hoist), replace the jack on the forward frame, and drop the engine.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 421
Likes: 27
From: Harrisburg PA
Try mating the engine and trans outside of the car.
You can either bolt together and install as one unit (You'll need to remove the hood), or you will be better able to identify what the holdup is...
if the latter, correct the holdup, and reinstall as you planned (just the motor and connect underneath to the trans...
You can either bolt together and install as one unit (You'll need to remove the hood), or you will be better able to identify what the holdup is...
if the latter, correct the holdup, and reinstall as you planned (just the motor and connect underneath to the trans...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Last edited by mikem350; Jan 22, 2017 at 01:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
I will try greasing the converter pilot and dowels on the block. My biggest issue is everytime I move the hoist It the legs of the hoist always end up hitting the jack stands or the jack I have supporting the trans. Im going to attempt this installation a final time this tuesday and wendesday. I did this before but never had this much trouble. Last week I was so frustrated that I wanted to smash the engine, car, and throw away that hoist.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Jan 23, 2017 at 01:02 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 450
From: Central NJ
If that's your issue why don't you use ratchet straps to support the front of the trans (assuming the rear is bolted to the crossmember already) while you are dropping the motor then after you bolt up the motor mounts you could put your jack under the trans then take off the straps and work it into the back of the motor.
Last edited by tektrans; Jan 23, 2017 at 02:35 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 450
From: Central NJ
Or do what I did and get one of these and put the engine and trans in together.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-t...ane-41188.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-t...ane-41188.html
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I never remove the hood removing or replacing any motor in a c3 vette or even the radiator doing small blocks. It just adds man hours to the job. Always Install from the side
I've never installed the motor and transmission together
I've never installed the motor and transmission together
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
When i removed this engine in the past I dd removed/nstalled engine from the side. I placed jack stands under the frame by the a pillar. I have the trans supported with the car (corvette jack) and a peice of wood. I cannot get the boom perpendicular and close enough without the legs of the hoist hitting the jack under the trans, thus cocking it or hitting the base of the jackstands thus the engine is too far over to the left or right.I also have removed the RF wheel
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Jan 23, 2017 at 12:17 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,672
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Do you have an engine leveler that goes on the hoist chain and is connected to engine so you can get the correct angle.
If the transmission is be held up by a jack, preferably so you can change the angle there.
You have to look under the car and get a good idea of the angle of the trans and try and match that angle with engine.
You might want to use an angle finder to help. Getting them aligned the same is the most frustrating part.
If the transmission is be held up by a jack, preferably so you can change the angle there.
You have to look under the car and get a good idea of the angle of the trans and try and match that angle with engine.
You might want to use an angle finder to help. Getting them aligned the same is the most frustrating part.