need experienced help
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Meridian Mississippi
need experienced help
I recently pulled the motor out of my 1985 vette. When i pulled the motor out I didn't pull the trans out with it. (4+3) would it be easier to pull the trans out too and put the motor back in the car with the trans attached to it or just try to put the motor back in the car with the trans still bolted up. The reason I ask this is because the motor was a pain in the rear to pull out with the trans in the car. The imput shaft was the problem because it sticks out so far. Or is there anything that i can do to make it easier to put the motor in the car without removing the trans? If at all possible I would like to leave the trans in the car.
Thanks,
Trey
Thanks,
Trey
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
It can be done easily if you have a good cherry picker & the hood is off.
Be sure the clutch disc is on center, use an extra input shaft or a disc aligment tool to get it perfect.
Get some long bolts to screw into the bellhousing for guide studs. Cut the heads off the bolts & round the edges. IMPORTANT: make sure each guide stud will exit the trans mount holes.
Jack the front of the trans up as far as possible.
Leave the trans in gear & set the e brake if the rear wheels are not on the ground.
When the trans input shaft enters the throw out bearing you can turn the engine over with the balancer bolt to line up the clutch disc splines with the input shaft splines.
Be sure the clutch disc is on center, use an extra input shaft or a disc aligment tool to get it perfect.
Get some long bolts to screw into the bellhousing for guide studs. Cut the heads off the bolts & round the edges. IMPORTANT: make sure each guide stud will exit the trans mount holes.
Jack the front of the trans up as far as possible.
Leave the trans in gear & set the e brake if the rear wheels are not on the ground.
When the trans input shaft enters the throw out bearing you can turn the engine over with the balancer bolt to line up the clutch disc splines with the input shaft splines.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
My motor is out right now for the 8th time.
1. Do not take the hood off, no reason to
2. Yes it is easier to put the engine down into the bay, attache the motor mounts and set the engine into position.
2. Support the engine then put the tranny onto the bell housing.
Spearing the engine onto the tranny is a pain and not necessary if the tranny is out.
1. Do not take the hood off, no reason to
2. Yes it is easier to put the engine down into the bay, attache the motor mounts and set the engine into position.
2. Support the engine then put the tranny onto the bell housing.
Spearing the engine onto the tranny is a pain and not necessary if the tranny is out.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
Its not that hard to pull the tranny.....the nuts on top of the beam are easy to get to with the motor out and the tranny sagging a bit in the front.......putting it back in is a little trickier, less clearance to install the nuts on top.....pain in the ****, but I got mine in by myself with 2 floor jacks and a lot of wrestling....make sure your car is as high in the air as you can get it (safely of course)....the motor was easy, with the hood on also....be sure to center that disc with the pilot bushing.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
I have put my engine in,, with the tranny in the car and,,, out of the car and out of the car, with the tranny slid back away from the engine is by far the easiest way.
With it in the car is harder because the Damper interferes with the steering rack area when you are trying to get the bell housing in position on the tranny, it can be done but it slow you down quite a bit.
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
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From: backwoods upstate ny
hood stays on.
trans and bellhsg stay in car.
optional but helpful: two 3/8-16 x 4" bolts with heads cut off (saw cut a slot for later screwdriver removal) for guides, one in lowest engine block hole each side.
watch engine block rear face and hold that face parallel top/bottom and side/side to the bellhsg face when sliding engine/clutch onto trans input shaft...good lighting is helpful, walk from side to side at least twice to judge parallel and do not rush.
if cyl heads are already on the engine, getting to the upper bellhsg/engine bolts is tight... leave the motor mounts out and lower the engine/trans (bottom two bolts thru bellhsg/engine installed) till the engine block rests on the frame tabs for a bit more knuckle room to install the upper bellhsg/eng bolts, then raise the engine/trans assy to install the motor mounts.
trans and bellhsg stay in car.
optional but helpful: two 3/8-16 x 4" bolts with heads cut off (saw cut a slot for later screwdriver removal) for guides, one in lowest engine block hole each side.
watch engine block rear face and hold that face parallel top/bottom and side/side to the bellhsg face when sliding engine/clutch onto trans input shaft...good lighting is helpful, walk from side to side at least twice to judge parallel and do not rush.
if cyl heads are already on the engine, getting to the upper bellhsg/engine bolts is tight... leave the motor mounts out and lower the engine/trans (bottom two bolts thru bellhsg/engine installed) till the engine block rests on the frame tabs for a bit more knuckle room to install the upper bellhsg/eng bolts, then raise the engine/trans assy to install the motor mounts.
Last edited by redrose; Feb 19, 2009 at 10:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Meridian Mississippi
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,293
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,293
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada