Installing engine+trans as one, do'able?

Dishtowel · Jan 22, 2008

Hey guys, I hope to install my 5.0L + AOD this weekend, and I hope to put them together outside the truck and install them as one unit. IS THIS DO'ABLE without removing the core support? I pulled the old drive-train out as one unit, transfer case and all.

I JUST fit out, and I would much rather install the new engine + trans as one unit.

Please let me know your exp.

Totalled · Jan 22, 2008

Damn. Are you Tory from mythbusters...?

I think you may not be able to, unless you have no accessories on the front of the motor. The overall length will be a tad shorter than what you pulled out, but the motor is longer. I had to rotate the motor going in to clear the water pump snout on the core support since the engine compartment is short enough for the back of the motor to hit it before the water pump clears.

Dishtowel · Jan 22, 2008

Why, Yes. I am Tory from Mythbusters. lol

The V6 came out with all the trinkets still on the front, but they never posed a problem. The V8 will be going in looking alot like this. With an appropriately matched trans.

since the engine compartment is short enough for the back of the motor to hit it before the water pump clears.

thats what I'm worried about....

Robin Hood · Jan 22, 2008

Wow. Thats... blue.

Jayford · Jan 23, 2008

i did one with my buddy not too long ago with a c6 on it. the truck had a body lift so that helped but we had a 2wd transmission so i dont know how much different it will be for you.

2fast4you · Jan 23, 2008

i installed my 302/c4 togather with the water pump and crank pulley on it with out a problem.. had about a inch between it and the core support when done.. now if i had the rad in there, then i would had to replace it..

good luck

Totalled · Jan 23, 2008

Derr... I didn't think it all the way through...

You trans will be attached... so it will be angled down.. I was thinking about mine where I just put the motor in with the trans already in place.

You will be fine.

projectnitemare · Jan 23, 2008

I installed a 302 and 2wd AOD into a 2wd Ranger as one piece with a water pump attached as well. It can be done, you just need to move slow so you don't smash stuff up. If you pull the core support off its even faster. The initial time you do it it will take a while to remove the core support but if you ever have to pull the engine it's a breeze. I can have my engine, trans and t-case out and engine on the stand in less than an hour.

Matt

Matt

Dishtowel · Jan 23, 2008

this is good news, thanks guys, not only do i have a cherry picker crank (the grey one) at my disposal, but i have the luxury of using the orange tractor again, and I'm quite good with hydraulics.

Nitemare, is the core support welded to the inner fenders? If it unbolts thats what I will do, but I thought I had to cut it out, and re-weld it in. Which I'm not interested in.

FYI, this is a 2WD trans with a T-case adapter on the back, I will be putting the T-case on after the engine+trans is mounted up.

The rad will be out for the engine install, I have a exploder rad, I hope it's up to the job of a mild V8. I also plan to put electric fans on it.

Totalled · Jan 24, 2008

4.0 explorer rad will be fine on the road... it's slow crawling off road with low airflow that will heat it up.

projectnitemare · Jan 24, 2008

The core support is spot welded on. If you want to remove it what I did was drill out all the spot weld and then bolt everything back on again. If you plan on having the engine out in the future it might be a good investment of time. I doubted I would touch mine again but it's been out 5 times now.

Matt

SRL · Jan 25, 2008

I got my 302 with AOD in together but mine is a 2wd.

I had water pump and crank balancer but no pulleys. Went in very smooth; easier than the old 2.9 came out for that matter.

Dishtowel · Feb 1, 2008

Thanks for the input guys.

They went in fairly smoothly, Now all I need is some time of my own to cut out some engine mounts.

Installing engine+trans as one, do'able?

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