1970 Engine/Transmission Installation

[Lee McGlamery]

Hi Again. One last question for the day and I will then get started putting my car back together. I have the engine, transmission, bellhousing, differential, trailing arms, and gas tank out of my 70. The hood is off the car and there is nothing, like radiator, brake vacuum pump, exhaust pipes, in the clean and restored engine compartment. I pulled the engine by breaking it loose from the bellhousing but I was thinking that it might be an easier operation by installing the engine, bellhousing, and transmission as a single unit.

Pleae advise of your recommendations and any pitfalls of this type of installation.

Thanks

Lee

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Engine/Transmission Installation

Lee-----

It can be done that way and, in fact, Chevrolet used to recommend that procedure as a time-saver. I've done it a few times that way, but I probably wouldn't do it again. It just seemed to me that trying to "maneuver" this whole assembly was a royal pain and trying tro "adjust it", even with an engine leveler, was too much trouble. The next time I do it (soon, I hope), I think that I may install the engine with bellhousing/clutch installed, but without the transmission. Then, I'll install the transmission seperately.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1970 Engine/Transmission Installation

i always install the engine-tranny as a unit, but ever since i lunched an orig OEM windshield, i get a neighbor and the leveler to facilitate installation without confrontations. good luck , mike

[Chas Henderson #28127]

Re: 1970 Engine/Transmission Installation

Lee,
I made the mistake of pulling my engine then the tranny out of my 71. Like you, there was nothing but an empty engine bay and I found it was easier to bolt the rebuilt engine and tranny back together and slide them in. I have never done aything like that before and was amazed at how easy things went. A good engine stand and a leveler made it easy but I did have one other friend to help me as I was hooking and bolting up the engine and tranny to the frame.

[John H.]

Re: 1970 Engine/Transmission Installation

A "leveler" is money well-spent; I've used one for years, have done numerous pulls/installs of complete engine/tranny assemblies, several times without a helper. I prefer doing it as a single unit vs. screwing around trying to mate the input shaft and the clutch/pilot bearing with the engine hanging on the hoist and the tranny teetering on a jack.