14 replies to this topic

[simmodrz]

G'day All,

As I pulled my motor out without the head or belts & pulleys fitted I'm not sure if you can put it back in with them on or not?

I have a load leveller so I can get good angle on the motor and gearbox.

So can anyone tell me if it is doable... reinstalling the motor/box with all front pulleys/timing cover & belts on??

Of does it just become a sh*tfight?

Thanks,
Simmo

[bazeng]

Timing cover yes.
I don't do it with alternator / air con or power steering myself just because they can be annoying.

Air con usually stays in the bay anyway otherwise you have to regas. Same as p/s (refill fluids). So they usually get done after for me.

I don't even do intake manifold. I leave that until after.

Simply gearbox and long motor with turbo for me.

[DOUGMO]

if you have a load leveler it shouldnt be a problem at all, except for ps and a/c as Baz said (assuming it is still in the car)

[jack be nimble]

How close is the crank pulley to the rail as you go in? If you don't have ps/ac belts on maybe free up some room by removing the crank pulleys.
But a load leveler would be nice,

[JayRome]

if the engine is not tilted on install the gear box and H/Balancer will wedge up against the rails and get stuck... ..

its best to tilt the gear box in first then straighten it out..

other wise we all have our techniques of getting our engines in....

[Rockabilly]

You can leave the motor & box on a coupla bits of wood & lower the car over it.
Done that a few times over the years. One man job.
Cheers !

[milkandoj]

Wouldnt it be easier to do the intake manifold before dropping the engine (and gearbox) in? I pulled the motor out easy enough wiht it still on.
I agree with lifting it on an angle with the gearbox lower to get it in.

[Gianni]

I've dropped fully complete motors in plenty of times and no issuers with space. Make sure the banjo's for the oil cooler are off the oil pump. That's the only thing that has stopped me getting motors in and out (that and the side mounts)

[bazeng]

Ah you guys with stock intake manifold and stock turbos

No chance with big after market stuff, especially if you don't want to scratch your fire wall, radiator support etc.

I personally like the dropping vehicle over the motor / box.
You just need access to a hoist.

[milkandoj]

Go big or go home hey Baz?

[MDK87]

if the engine is not tilted on install the gear box and H/Balancer will wedge up against the rails and get stuck... ..

its best to tilt the gear box in first then straighten it out..

I'm sure you've gotten your answer by now but I agree with the Jay man.
I've installed engine + gearbox + ancillaries and the harmonic balancer was a bit tight against the chassis. Having said that, I used a load leveller as well and managed to get it in after a little while (didn't want to scratch/wreck anything).

[Rumbul]

I dropped my engine back in today also . I put on the pulleys and the intake before I dropped it in . I am lucky enough to have my man cave right next to a workshop in ormeau . So I was able to borrow their leveler . Made it so easy . Now I just have to figure out where all these hoses and wires go hehehe

[simmodrz]

Thanks for all of the tips here guys... Shall be a long weekend of putting in new motor
I'm going to run it in nice and easy on the chipped ECU thats in it (on super low boost) and then throw in my 560cc injectors and ECMlink... then there will be another big learning curve!
Cheers,
Simmo

[Evo-00x]

I usually do it with the crank pulley off, alternator off and aircon off. Angle the engine/gearbox assembly on a slight angle to the left so the rear of the gearbox hangs slightly lower and goes under the driver's side chassis rail first.
I have found it near impossible to lower an engine into the engine bay with a normal engine crane with the crank pulley still on. The times when I have done it (not my own car lol) the crank pulley has hit the opposite chassis rail and scraped the paint off it, or in one case took a chip off the outer rim of the crank pulley. I reckon with a proper engine leveller you could take your time and give it a good go.

[bazeng]

Tips:
1. Make sure the reverse sensor switch has been removed.
2. Use a jack and a crane for easy adjustment
3. Use a spare rocker cover or use a thick padding between your lifting chain and good rocker cover.
4. Remove your bonnet or lift up higher than the standard rod.