10 replies to this topic

[Go Fast 2]

OK so I've got the engine back in the car. It's bolted to the trany and the passengerside motor mount is in it's slot. The probblem is with the driver side mount. I can get it to line up but it's about 1/2" (bolt thickness) towards the raidiator off. Any thoughts or idea's on how to get where it belongs?

Thanks!!

[FTodaro]

I normally take the driver side mount off the motor. put the motor in positioning the passenger side mount in first. then I put the driver side mount in its hole in the frame and lower the motor till I can bolt the motor mount assembly to the block. It is easier then trying to mussel to mounts into position while still mounted to the block.

That is how I do it anyway.

[davew]

I agree with Frank, but it is even easier if installing motor and trans as an assembly because the PPF does not hold everything in place.

[FTodaro]

+1 on Daves comment. Way easier to pull motor and tranny together even if there is no transmission issue. Pulling the tranny alone to swap or do a clutch is the way to go but if the motor has to come out for any reason take the transmission with it, No question.

[Todd Tagget]

Interesting comment Frank,,as i was walking around the pits at Sonoma this weekend and talking to a guy pulling an engine I wondered why he was leaving the tranny in.. if for noting else the alignment factor of the clutch/tranny/engine
T

[Jim Boemler]

I always found it easier to R&R the engine alone. Part of it is that I'm usually working alone, and the pieces are smaller. Part is that you have to lift the car higher, and the engine higher, if the trans is attached.

[Glenn]

Pros and cons to both methods. Done both and at this point they both take about the same amount of time. Th e trick is getting the passenger side mount in place and then bolting the MM to the engine block on the drivers side, LOOOONG 3/8 extension, short swivel and a 14mm socket and all 3 bolts are accessable!

[LarryKing]

Back to the original question - something is in the way. Mount studs/holes will line-up if nothing else (PPF, CAS, exhaust, etc...) is restricting movement. My best guess from your description is that the trans is still bolted to the PPF and is restricting. If so, unbolt it and pull PPF to the side with bungee.

[Jim Boemler]

Moose is right, something's hanging up -- just look for it. When these things are ready to bolt up, they just fall into place, no forcing (or even bungee) required.

[dstevens]

I use Wheeler's and Frank's method. I'd drop the PPF and pull the engine/trans as unit and it should drop right in like the Clown says.



In We Go by Dave Stevens, on Flickr

[Go Fast 2]

Thanks guys for all the helpful suggestions. After reading them I went home after work and tried one more time to mussel it in but that did not work. So I tried, as scepticle as I was, the suggestion of installing the MM first and then aligning the motor to the mount. Once I had the MM installed the engine swung into place with one hole already lined up. From there it was just a matter of moving the engine until the other two lined up. It seems that the MM stud was preventing the engine from lining up with the hole in the frame. Once I had the MM installed it only took me about 20 minutes to getb the engine lined up. And yes, the tranny was still in the car. Thanks again guys. I am still amazed that it was so simple!