I will be installing a new motor in my 66 this week and am worried it will be more difficult than I had anticipated. I pulled the old motor and left the trans ( 4 spd) installed. I figured the new engine would slide right in but I am worried that getting the clutch aligned and the motor seated against the trans will be very difficult with the trans in the car. Has anyone had success doing it this way, or would I be better off pulling the trans and installing the motor and trans as one unit? If I do install them as a unit, does the car need to be raised so the motor/trans unit can be tilted into position, or can I leave it on the ground? Thanks, Dan
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Re: Engine Installation
Dan,
I have not installed an engine in a 66 but have my 57. I think it is easier to install with the transmission already in the vehicle. For one thing it is lighter and you don't have to wrestle that long assembly into place. One good trick is to get the clutch assembled correctly. Either use the input shaft from a transmission for alignment before you tighten the clutch plate or else go to NAPA and buy the wooden alignment shaft that lets you do it easily. Just put in align the clutch hole with the flywheel and then tighten in place. It really is quite easy. Then when you drop the engine in place, feed the transmission input shaft into the clutch spline and gently push in place. Be sure the transmission is in neutral as you might have to turn it slightly. Usually it just pops in with a little persuation.
Good luck. -
Re: Engine Installation
I actually like to leave it in a gear, so I can spin the shafts from the output to make sure the splines line up
KevinComment
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Re: Engine Installation
I am assuming you left the bellhousing on the transmission. As you start to enguage the input shaft into the clutch, use a jack to hold the transmission to the same angle as the engine and as high as you can so the engine mounts will clear the frame. It should go together like a hand in a glove. The main thing is to take your time and be patient. Don't try to force anything like using bellhousing bolts to close the gap between the bellhousing and the block. I leave the transmission in gear to lock the input shaft and then I gently rock the engine side/side to get the clutch splines engaged if necessary.
From what I've seen on this Forum, about half will tell you to put the transmission in with the engine and half will tell you to put the engine in by itself. I like to put the engine in by itself. Reason being that in case something slips, jumps or jerks, you will do a lot less damage with just the engine alone than if the transmission is hanging off it.
Have fun. It's not a hard job, even working by yourself.Comment
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Re: Engine Installation
I just put the engine back in my '64 three weeks ago. I had pulled the engine by itself, leaving the trans. in place. After much consideration, I decided to pull the transmission out and reinstall as a unit. It was difficult enough to line up the shaft on the clutch/pilot bushing with the rear of the engine free and clear that I was glad I did it that way. Use a load leveler, leave the car on its tires, and tilt the engine fan up, slowly lower into the engine compartment, and then gradually level the engine out as you lower it down. I was able to slip it into place with the shifter still mounted, moving slowly. For what it's worth my Dad did the opposite job several years ago, removing the trans alone, and it took him many evenings of trying before he was able to get things to line up properly.Comment
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Re: Engine Installation
While I am certainly a novice in this field, I have pulled the engine on my 66 twice and the engine on my friend's 73. We pulled his 350 out to install the original 454. In all of these situations I pulled the engine with the transmission attached. I installed the engines with the transmission attached. The key was to use a load leveling device. This is a device, commonly sold through cataglogs and good auto parts stores, that is a jack screw. It allows you to transfer the weight forward or aft, thereby raising or lowering the nose of the engine. I doubt we could have safely installed the engine/tranny combo without it. As a novice, I bought the book "How to Rebuild Your Small Block Chevy" and it gave some VERY good advice, even if some of it was generic to the SB chevy engine. The way I look at it, if I can do it, anyone can. We went slowly, constantly checking for obstructions or problems.
It took about three hours to pull the engine and about four to install and connect everything.
GaryComment
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