installing L82 Engine with 4 speed trans
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installing L82 Engine with 4 speed trans
1977 L82 4 speed, I am going to install the engine and 4 speed trans as a unit back into my '77 vette. I have the radiator and shroud in place. since it will require a steep angle do I need to leave the water pump off or will it clear. I really don't want to remove the shroud because it is a real pain trying to put it back with the engine installed. I still have to remove the drive shaft before anything else.
Le Mans Master
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From: Little Rock AR
On my '80 I like to unbolt the radiator support from inside the wheel wells. Remove the 4 upper side bolts and loosten the bottom 2. There is a center support rod to disconnect under the rad support. Then just tilt the radiator assembly forward. I then depopulate the front of the engine and the shroud literally just lifts out. I have A/C so the condenser makes radiator more tricky to actually remove it, so I don't. Depopulated engine is pretty easy to pull out along with tranny using a load leveler.
On the Reassembly I drop it all back in, drop shroud back in, and then repopulate the front of the engine. Swing rad support back and install the side support bolts. Put nut back on the underside support rod and get on with it.
On the Reassembly I drop it all back in, drop shroud back in, and then repopulate the front of the engine. Swing rad support back and install the side support bolts. Put nut back on the underside support rod and get on with it.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
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From: US-PNW
I installed the 454 engine and auto trans in my '72 as a unit but had the radiator assembly out. Even though a small block w/4speed is smaller, I'd say leave the water pump off to ensure as little gets in your way as possible. You may also want to consider jacking the car's rear up in the air so you have more under body clearances to get everything in there.
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I agree with above. I have a similar car. However, electric fans is a additional cost that this owner might not be up to.
me, I always remove the rad when pulling the engine.
with rad and shroud in place definitely remove the water pump.
I'd still be concerned. I'd pull that rad out of the way.
me, I always remove the rad when pulling the engine.
with rad and shroud in place definitely remove the water pump.
I'd still be concerned. I'd pull that rad out of the way.
Le Mans Master
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Beware of terms like "upgrades".....some are, some are just different ways of doing things, often downsides that conveniently are not mentioned....but make your choices, etc. My cooling system on my car is basically stock....with the exception of a Dewitts aluminum radiator....but still have shroud, clutch fan, etc. Simple, easy, and my engine has never ever got close to overheating. So that proves overheating is not a problem to fix unless you have bad or failed components......and those can be replaced without totally redisigning the system. And I am running a 408 small block with 559 HP.
And to answer your original question......I doubt you can put the engine back in the car with transmission attached with that shroud in the way.....I had shroud and radiator out, and it barely fit with a SBC and 4-speed attached. The only thing left installed was the radiator support. Putting in the shroud is no big deal if the radiator is out.....you put the shroud in first, sliding it aft against the engine,....then slide radiator down in...then move shroud forward to radiator....no big deal.
And to answer your original question......I doubt you can put the engine back in the car with transmission attached with that shroud in the way.....I had shroud and radiator out, and it barely fit with a SBC and 4-speed attached. The only thing left installed was the radiator support. Putting in the shroud is no big deal if the radiator is out.....you put the shroud in first, sliding it aft against the engine,....then slide radiator down in...then move shroud forward to radiator....no big deal.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Jun 17, 2023 at 07:56 PM.
