LS3 Engine Install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
LS3 Engine Install
I pulled my engine apart in my c6 grand sport and now I'm looking for some advise. Does anyone know how to get the engine lined up correctly so that it slides right on the shaft coming from the transmission. I spent an entire day trying to get them both lined up and looking for a better way to get the job done. if you have any advise please provide it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 166
From: 19804
If a manual did you use a clutch alignment tool and make sure the clutch disk is 100% centered when you torqued down the pressure plate? You have the proper pilot bearing installed? If auto make sure you have the allen bolt loose on the coupler.
I assume you are installing engine from the top with a engine hoist? Lower front subframe and make sure torque tube is held up straight. Then you can get the engine perfectly straight with the torque tube and all will go together. If your trying to install the engine on an angle it will never go together.
I assume you are installing engine from the top with a engine hoist? Lower front subframe and make sure torque tube is held up straight. Then you can get the engine perfectly straight with the torque tube and all will go together. If your trying to install the engine on an angle it will never go together.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
I pulled my engine apart in my c6 grand sport and now I'm looking for some advise. Does anyone know how to get the engine lined up correctly so that it slides right on the shaft coming from the transmission. I spent an entire day trying to get them both lined up and looking for a better way to get the job done. if you have any advise please provide it.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 885
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
I literally went through this earlier today and it took my friend and I less than 15 minutes to get the torque tube mated together with the motor.
The first thing to do is to use a level to make sure the torque tube is level to the ground. Next you'll need to get the motor as close to the torque tube as possible, also making sure it's level too.
One person will then need to look inside the torque tube with a flashlight to make sure everything looks lined up properly, with a second person up top to raise or lower the engine as necessary. If you don't have a load leveler on the engine I highly recommend buying one because I couldn't imagine trying to do this without one as it let's you make very small adjustments.
Once everything looks like it'll slide together it's just a matter a gently wiggling the motor while moving it backwards at the same time.
It can be a pain to do but once everything is lined up correctly it becomes a lot easier. If however the engine or torque tube is at any sort of angle it makes it pretty much impossible to do. While the two will separate if they're angled, they won't go back together that way.
The first thing to do is to use a level to make sure the torque tube is level to the ground. Next you'll need to get the motor as close to the torque tube as possible, also making sure it's level too.
One person will then need to look inside the torque tube with a flashlight to make sure everything looks lined up properly, with a second person up top to raise or lower the engine as necessary. If you don't have a load leveler on the engine I highly recommend buying one because I couldn't imagine trying to do this without one as it let's you make very small adjustments.
Once everything looks like it'll slide together it's just a matter a gently wiggling the motor while moving it backwards at the same time.
It can be a pain to do but once everything is lined up correctly it becomes a lot easier. If however the engine or torque tube is at any sort of angle it makes it pretty much impossible to do. While the two will separate if they're angled, they won't go back together that way.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
If you don't have one but have access to a lathe (or know someone who does), you can take dimensions off the input shaft and make the dummy shaft (alignment tool).
