When installing an engine what is the limit of accessories you can install on the block before there won't be room to drop it in? Can the PS pump and bracket be installed? What about the waterpump and pulley? Also will I be able to squeeze the engine in with a mini starter installed? What else is there; A/C compressor, air pump (in my case eliminator pulley), alternator, crank pulley etc.

 

When I installed my L83 I just had the water pump on. When I installed the LT1 I had the assy bracket and the water pump on. My opinion is install it with as little as posible unless it is dificult to get to once the motors in. Two resons for this one I like the motor as light as posible when on the hoist and the second the less things on the motor the less things to get in the way. The best way I have found for droping a motor in a C4 is to set the motor mounts in place off the motor and slip the motor back to the trany and start a few bolts. Once you have them started with the motor still on the hoist reach down and atach the motor mounts to the block. Then lower the motor and install the bolts trough the motor mounts. I installed my L83 by my self in about an hour (just motor mounts and trany bolts). If you try to leave the motor mounts on the block the motor is going to be to high and hit the wiper motor (at least mine did).
One last bit of advice take 2 3'' bolts and cut the heads off and champher the ends then take a hack saw and cut a groove across the top (the end you just cut) si a flat blade screw driver will fit in the grove. Then install the bolts into the botom 2 holes on the block where the trany bolts to. This will realy help aling the block to the trany and make things much easier.

 

That's a good tip. Thanks!