Re: Engine Installation Advice Needed?

Posted by Mike flanagan on May 10, 1998 at 01:06:19

In Reply to: Re: Engine Installation Advice Needed?
posted by Joe on May 07, 1998 at 08:00:21

Thank you Joe, I had thought that perhaps I was the only one to have tried to pull this tooth with the roots still attached. You're right it doesn't work well indeed.

I agree that the more parts you can hang on the engine while out of the chassis the better off you are. If the body is off. However if the body is on there are certain parts that should be left off. One specifically is the throttle linkage. It can ruin the paint on the firewall regardless of how careful you are.

With the engine "dressed" and the body off a decidedly up angle is helpful especially if you have stock motor mounts. Enter the splines on the driveshaft/universal and let the engine settle down to the mounts. The engine will have about a 10 degree roll to the port side so a bolt in the bottom mount hole on the flywheel housing will level the engine and help get the starboard side entered. Once both sides are entered remove the bolt and gravity will usually finish the job. I have found that judicious use of appropriate automotive profanity usually makes this job go a little easier. Following a request by The Big Blond I once tried to effect the installation of a Model A engine without resorting to any profanity... then I closed the door to the shop and finished the dam....

God Speed Under 50

The Model A Fool.

: Fred

: Actually, I have done the "third hole trick" with and without the flywheel and with and without the transmission.

: Without flywheel attached, the engine has a decided "list" forward.While doable, it is not a real good hoisting level, but you can get it into the frame by bolting up the front mount first.

: With flywheel only attached, the list is quite a bit less, almost level even, and the insertion into the frame is a bit more "normal".

: With transmission attached, the list is to the rear and is only slightly more than would be "normal" for mounting into the frame.Kind of like putting on your shoe: you normally tilt your foot in the direction of insertion!

: If I had a choice, I would do my engine work complete outside of the frame in total.It's a lot easier to do the "detailing" where you can get at it.The attached parts are not that much of a hinderence except I might remove and replace the carburetor and distributer since they are somewhat exposed and liable to damage if left on.

: I haven't had any adverse experiences with "tearing out" of the plug and that includes hoisting the entire engine with all the appurtences.

: Now having offered my advice, I'm not that sure you'll want it.I'll relate an embarrasing experience which will calm your fears about tearing out the third hole but won't endear me to you as a master mechanic.

: I was taking out the engine from my Model A pickup (with body in place) and was in somewhat of a hurry.Already I was behind my schedule and I was having some problems getting the engine loose from the frame.

: I had done this at least twice before and I routinely unbolted the differential housing, the four bolts connecting the engine to the rear mounts, and the two bolts connecting the engine to the front mounts.I was perplexed when hoisting the engine using the third plug hole seemed to get me up about an inch on the rear mounts - but no further.

: I pulled - I hoisted - I pried, but I could make no further progress.My frustration deepened.From the topside with the floorboards out I even rigged a jack to try to separate the frame slightly thinking the flywheel housing was pinched between the ears of the rear supports.

: After working at it for over an hour and now severely late, I finally had gotten to the point where I had lifted the entire front of the car and front wheels up off the ground and all was supported by the third spark plug hole.The engine was still basically in place, smirking at me (or so I thought).

: I was ready to bust!What on God's earth could be holding that engine!The oaths were mounting and the recording angels were having trouble keeping up with their quillpens and had switched to the steno machines.

: It was then in my final exiting stages of rational sanity I looked underneath the car to find that the radius rods were still connected to the bottom of the flywheel housing and this is what was holding the engine.

: Of course everything went quickly and easily once the two bolts and cap were removed.A tardy but calmer Joe left the garage that night.

: A master mechanic?Hardly!Only an engineer with a new andlaughable story to tell, one more in a continuing string of many.Such is life.

: Rip out the third spark plug with only the weight of the engine?I don't think so.

: Have fun working on your engine installation.Just try not to be in a hurry (it makes for mistakes) and don't forget the radius rods.

: Best regards,
: Joe




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