do you mate the trans to the engine before install?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 138
Likes: 12
From: Watertown South Dakota
do you mate the trans to the engine before install?
When I removed the engine, I left the hood on and came over the front tire. Then I lifted the car and slid the transmission out the side. One of the most time consuming parts was separating the engine from trans, even after removing the mounts and sliding the whole assembly forward an inch or so.
To reinstall, should I take the hood off and join the engine and trans and slip it all in the front?
Any other tips or tools?
To reinstall, should I take the hood off and join the engine and trans and slip it all in the front?
Any other tips or tools?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
I have never done it to my C4 but I did remove the engine tranny combination a couple of times on my C3.
I removed the hood both times but be very careful doing this. My marks got wiped off and resetting the hood in the center with even gaps all around was not an easy task. If you ever do remove the hood be very sure to mark the position of the mounting holes and brackets before you loosen any bolts. Take lots of pictures as they can save your butt sometimes.
My C3's engine is a 427 with the 4 speed manual. Bolted together it was much easier to do the installation. Without the hood you can remove the engine straight out and it was much easier for me to handle that way. From the side it is not bad with a four cylinder but watching somebody swap SB engines in a 1987 C4 made me nervous.
Swapping out V8 engines in a Corvette is a big job and there are lots of opinions on how to do it. Just buy lots of moving blankets from harbor freight before you start, you can't have too many in my opinion!
I hope that whichever way you do it works out okay for you! Merry Christmas!
I removed the hood both times but be very careful doing this. My marks got wiped off and resetting the hood in the center with even gaps all around was not an easy task. If you ever do remove the hood be very sure to mark the position of the mounting holes and brackets before you loosen any bolts. Take lots of pictures as they can save your butt sometimes.
My C3's engine is a 427 with the 4 speed manual. Bolted together it was much easier to do the installation. Without the hood you can remove the engine straight out and it was much easier for me to handle that way. From the side it is not bad with a four cylinder but watching somebody swap SB engines in a 1987 C4 made me nervous.
Swapping out V8 engines in a Corvette is a big job and there are lots of opinions on how to do it. Just buy lots of moving blankets from harbor freight before you start, you can't have too many in my opinion!
I hope that whichever way you do it works out okay for you! Merry Christmas!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
I've removed the tranny and motor on my 84 over two dozen times over the years. I do it myself in my garage with the car on jackstands. If the engine and tranny are balanced and supported, they will separate easily. I remove the motor from the side and leave the hood in place. If I am just removing the tranny, obviously the motor stays in place and the tranny slides out the side from underneath. I always torque the tranny bolts from underneath. The tranny bolts are easily accessible from underneath with a long extension and a 9/16" swivel.
