Final Checks before I drop in the engine

[danmas]

Quick reach out to the experts. I am pretty close to the final (ok probably not final but maybe) install of the engine. I have been pretty careful to follow all the steps I know but it would be useful for some validation.

I have a quick time bell housing, tremac tkx, and a SBF 351W.
I did validate that the bell housing mates to the engine within spec.

The engine turns that drive shaft in first gear smoothly (just a breaker bar rotating the engine).
Transmission shifts into every gear.
There is oil in the engine and I will fill the transmission as soon as I drop it into the car.
I have a tilton hydraulic throw out bearing which I will hook up (its installed and on the shaft) and bleed when the engine is in.

Anything else I should check that is easier to do before the engine is put into the car?

Thanks,
Dan

[Al_C]

Why not assemble engine, bellhousing, clutch, and transmission outside the car and install the whole assembly?

[danmas]

Why not assemble engine, bellhousing, clutch, and transmission outside the car and install the whole assembly?

It is all assembled. Sorry I wasn’t clear. I’m dropping in the whole assembly. Just looking to see if there are things I should check before I drop in the whole bundle.

[cv2065]

* Engine mounts on...slightly loose
* Engine leveler ready
* If installed, determine if your starter might cause interference. My last build it did, but not this one, so it's all different based on configuration but sucks when you've got to stop and unbolt it or it whacks something
* Enough ceiling clearance for your crane fully extended and raised
* Floor jack in place to support the tailshaft once in
* Sawzall on standby in the even the mid-shift kit interferes with the tunnel bracing. Mine didn't luckily!
* Car is raised up high enough in the back for install and the front so that the legs of the crane can clear
* If you are lifting from the heads, a couple of rags to keep the chains from rubbing the intake
* Someone helping to guide it in is always a good thing
* 2x4 handy to tap one of the engine mounts in (usually the driver's side for me)

That's about all I can think of. Take it slow and safe. Good luck!!

[gbranham]

Don't forget to prime your oil system before first start. Pull distributor, spin oil pump shaft counterclockwise with socket, extension and a drill until oil comes out the top of each rocker. You'll have to pull the valve covers, too. I rotate the engine about a quarter turn 3 or 4 times while priming with a 15/16" socket on the crankshaft bolt, rotating clockwise. Oil pump shaft takes a 5/16" socket, if memory serves. I tape the socket to the extension, so it doesn't fall off. You'll burn up a lower quality drill doing this.

[MB750]

If it's anything like my install you'll find a bunch of really close or contacting points around the engine and trans and have to remove it anyway so just drop it in and see what happens.

[gbranham]

I installed mine by myself, and it would've been easier with the shifter removed. Might consider doing that.

[Claybuster]

Far from expert here, but agreed with all of the above. My setup is a MkIV with SBF 302 mated to a TKX. Our 4 boys and I hung the completely assembled engine/tranny from the hoist with a load leveler and pushed it into place over the engine bay with the chassis on all four wheels, but sitting on vehicle dollies. That gave us the ability to move the engine/trans AND the chassis in any direction as we lowered the power into the car. Having two sets of eyes on either side and someone at the front of the vehicle "piloting" the hoist made everything go smoothly. It will take a little patience and "finesse" getting the tail cone to travel down the trans tunnel and go up and over the transmission mount. I recommend having Forte's trans mount spacers on hand as you get close to final position. We used all 3 of the 1/4" spacers, and the transmission output shaft and the differential ended up almost exactly inline. There is a small mounting tab on the passenger side of the tranny that comes very close to the e-brake mount that needed someone to be under the car to coerce everything to go around it (looking back, I guess I could have removed it). It took alot more time than I expected, but it was less than an afternoon from initial lift to final install.
Like others have said, keep all of the mounting system fasteners relatively loose, go slow and be safe. If it doesn't look or feel right, it probably isn't; Stop and reassess. Best of luck to you and your crew! Send us pics!

[Mike.Bray]

I've installed my 351W/TKX both with my wife and by myself. Some things I've learned.

A good quality leveler (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w41036) is an absolute must. This one you can remove the handle and use a drill with a socket for adjusting.

Car on rollers. We've found it's easier to move the car than the hoist/engine plus it keeps the engine from swinging.

Make sure your helper is clear on the plan. Sounds obvious but helpers & wives aren't mind readers lol

Dropping it in is an orchestrated effort of balancing height/angle/longitudinal position. The good news is with a SBF you've got plenty of room you're working with. Once in position you should be in the car in about 15 minutes.

Leave the motor mounts slightly loose to ease them popping into position. Then finesse them into the correct position and level the engine from side to side. Mine required a C-clamp to finesse.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20241217173210.jpg

Don't get in a hurry and stay safe.

[gbranham]

Good point above...the mounting tabs on the side of the tranny can come off...most predominantly the one directly above the fill plug.

[Nigel Allen]

If you have an engine hoist that uses the pump handle to turn the release valve, it can be difficult to smoothly control lowering the engine. Instead, clamp a set of vice grips to the release valve shaft. This will give finer control when lowering.

[cv2065]

Make sure your helper is clear on the plan. Sounds obvious but helpers & wives aren't mind readers lol

This made me laugh. Trying to get my son aligned was difficult, to the point where you have to stop and ask again, "Do you understand the mission here?"

[danmas]

Thanks for all the tips folks. Mission accomplished. Pictures and details to follow.

[Rebostar]

I also have a 351/TKX set up. Plan on the boss cast into the right side of the TKX transmission that sticks out about 1.25" with a 1/4" hole drilled into it hitting the E-brake mount. I have a small pnumatic saw I was able to cut half the boss off with while the engine was in place. That boss will prevent the right engine mount from seating.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Make sure your helper is clear on the plan. Sounds obvious but helpers & wives aren't mind readers lol



And that's why I work alone ;)

Jeff

[danmas]

Well I took the plunge because I found myself wanting to know what things will look like with the engine in. Several of you suggested that the mounts should be loose while installing which was a total duh moment for me. Of course they should. Thank you.

Frank (I.E.427)has a video about engine installing and he talks about using the lift to elevate the rear of the car. Thanks Frank.

I used pipe insulation to cover the chains to prevent any engine damage while installing.

I have a good hoist and a great leveler. The one I lent Junbug is crap and I’m not sure how he managed to get it in but my hat is off to him. He is very skilled.

The more I do this the more I realize how much I don’t know and how amazing some of these builds are. I appreciate all of your help.

And I’m just like Jeff K in exactly one way. I work alone. I think it’s mostly because I can’t get the words in my head out of my head and so it’s usually easier for me to just do it on my own. It certainly means that there are far fewer bad feelings.

Finally it is totally possible to do this on your own even when you are as unskilled as I am. I also have to deal with only 1.5 arms as my left arm doesn’t work all that well yet.

Thanks again everyone.

Dan

https://youtube.com/shorts/krHtKjPx3vg
…

[gbranham]

Way to go, Dan! I also like to work alone.

Greg

[Claybuster]

Well done, Dan! See, that's what makes this forum such a great resource. I have learned so much from those that have chosen to openly share their experience and wisdom that it has helped to make my build much less intimidating and much more enjoyable. I also say thank you to everyone reading that have thrown in their "two cents" to the rest of us.
Oh, and great selection for the music: The Valkyries will prevail!
I'm waiting for a day when all of our boys can be here for the "go cart" first drive. Looks like you will be there very soon. Congrats!

[danmas]

Well done, Dan! See, that's what makes this forum such a great resource. I have learned so much from those that have chosen to openly share their experience and wisdom that it has helped to make my build much less intimidating and much more enjoyable. I also say thank you to everyone reading that have thrown in their "two cents" to the rest of us.
Oh, and great selection for the music: The Valkyries will prevail!
I'm waiting for a day when all of our boys can be here for the "go cart" first drive. Looks like you will be there very soon. Congrats!

I’m still fairly intimidated but fortune does favor the brave. That said, the first music choice was a funeral dirge. That seemed like the wrong theme. I’m certainly going to hose up a few more things. Probably way more than than a few. But I’m having fun learning. I’m not sure it’s always type 1 fun. When I started this I didn’t know what a 351w was. Now I’m installing it.

[Rebostar]

Thanks for posting this thread. I too am a one man band. I've spent 45 years in the aviation maintenace world so I tend to be very detail oriented. Some would say "anal". This is a good thing to have in your helicopter mechanic. So I'm doubtfull having extra hands in the shop would be a plus for either of us. I am a bit sad that my grandkids are all lovely youn ladies, who could care less about what happens in the shop, definatly not into greasy, smelly, loud rude machinery. My only hope is that one of them finds a young man who wants to learn about all things mechanical rather than the latest scocial media craze. All this being said it gives me the opertunity to work in a Buger King like enviroment....I get it my way!! Also its sometimes a challenge to figure out how to do something that would be far easier with an extra set of skilled hands. I tend to learn a lot more as I figure stuff out. Things like building an engine run stand that is high enough to allow the engine hoist to roll under it. A simple thing untill you cant get the engine off the build stand and onto the runstand because the hoist legs wont clear the run stand. Ask me how I know this!.
Its also been a great experience getting ideas from the folks here on the forum. an example is the pics I was sent showing the battery relocation to the left rear wheel well area including the drop trunk. I could not have done that without the pics a member gernerously sent me. I have found, with but one exception, everyone here is more than willing to help out with positive input.
Happy trails!

[gbranham]

I’m still fairly intimidated but fortune does favor the brave. That said, the first music choice was a funeral dirge. That seemed like the wrong theme. I’m certainly going to hose up a few more things. Probably way more than than a few. But I’m having fun learning. I’m not sure it’s always type 1 fun. When I started this I didn’t know what a 351w was. Now I’m installing it.

That's what I love about these projects...it's a series of 'firsts', and each little success brings a huge feeling of accomplishment and pride. Every person on this forum has had a series of firsts building these cars, and I appreciate how most folks haven't forgotten how good they felt when they accomplished these tasks the first time, and are more than willing to help out the new peeps.

Greg

[Jeff Kleiner]

...I am a bit sad that my grandkids are all lovely young ladies, who could care less about what happens in the shop, definitly not into greasy, smelly, loud rude machinery....
Happy trails!

I know where you're coming from Allyn! My grandson was all over the cars up until he discovered Super Mario and Fortnight or whatever so now you can't pry the game controller out of his hands or get him out from behind the screen :( I think there's hope for my granddaughter though! She loves to be in the shop with Pawpaw and is fearless (even after crashing her go-cart and breaking her foot last winter)...pink Crocs and all :D

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=208247&d=1735603916

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=208248&d=1645650262

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=208249&d=1566988798

Jeff

[cv2065]

Loved the video and music Dan. Great job!