When install engine/trans

I still have my chassis on the chassis dolly. Should I put wheels and tires on the chassis before installing the engine and trans?
I see in the manual that the engine goes in before the wheels/tires. Seems like a lot of load for the casters (mine rated at 600lbs each). Actually, the manual never mounts the wheels/tires. I like the mobility provided by the casters, but really think they can't take the load. Anyway, I still have a few things to do before engine/trans so still thinking.
Thanks for your help,
Jeff

There are many ways to skin a possum so here is my take.

Raise The Back & Scoot The Car Under:

1st Installation:
https://youtu.be/3f1Q4aS5SG4
https://youtu.be/jiwelvNHUrk

Leaky Block Removal:
(Boo, Boo, Hisss, Hisss)
https://youtu.be/Vhbftk4AP4k

2nd Installation:
https://youtu.be/-nVDzIjSjh8

Good Luck From The Dark Dart Side!

Like you, I didn’t trust my chassis dolly to carry the weight of the engine. I put the frame on jack stands. That gave me plenty of clearance for any approach I wanted to take with my engine hoist.

Be sure to test fit the transmission A-frame BEFORE you get the engine in the air. My A-frame took a good bit of grinding at the bottom of each leg before it would fit between the 4” tube & the mounting tabs.

If you’re working alone, you’ll probably find it easier to install the A-frame after the engine is installed. If you’ve got helpers, I recommend installing the A-frame before the engine. Have a helper lift the tail of the transmission up into place.


John

P.S. Take pictures when you do the installation; we all wanna see!

Either way you go the car is on jackstands (with the rear high) so it really makes absolutely no difference whether the wheels are bolted on or not.

Jeff

I did it with the wheels on, felt safer to me.