Help installing engine

[SplotchyAphid05]

Anyone have some tips and tricks for aligning the engine and transmission together on install no matter what angle i hold the engine or tranny at they just dont want to mesh together

 

[gaz]

@SplotchyAphid05
I'm uncertain whether your gear is in the auto or sitting on the floor but I start with the top 2 bolts, then work my way down.

If you are trying to do this in the auto, I recommend getting a transmission jack. They can be adjusted in 2 or 3 planes...meaning I can adjust the angle it is sitting to ensure that the engine and transmission mating faces are parallel to each other; this lets the alignment dowles slide in more easily.

You could also dab a little petroleum jelly or grease on the alignment dowels to get the party started.

If you aren't in the vehicle, then use whatever you have available to get the front of the transmission and the rear of the engine mating surfaces parallel to each other; then all you will need is for each to be at the correct heights, to align the dowels. Again, if on the floor, I start with the top 2 bolts (finger tight) then work my way down. Once they are all in I will tighten them hand wrench tight (just snugged up), then do a final tightening with the appropriate torque wrench.

It will also help if whatever is supporting the components is on wheels, so that one person can slide them about with little effort. It may help to get a third hand in there if your still experiencing difficulty.

 

[SplotchyAphid05]

@SplotchyAphid05
I'm uncertain whether your gear is in the auto or sitting on the floor but I start with the top 2 bolts, then work my way down.

If you are trying to do this in the auto, I recommend getting a transmission jack. They can be adjusted in 2 or 3 planes...meaning I can adjust the angle it is sitting to ensure that the engine and transmission mating faces are parallel to each other; this lets the alignment dowles slide in more easily.

You could also dab a little petroleum jelly or grease on the alignment dowels to get the party started.

If you aren't in the vehicle, then use whatever you have available to get the front of the transmission and the rear of the engine mating surfaces parallel to each other; then all you will need is for each to be at the correct heights, to align the dowels. Again, if on the floor, I start with the top 2 bolts (finger tight) then work my way down. Once they are all in I will tighten them hand wrench tight (just snugged up), then do a final tightening with the appropriate torque wrench.

It will also help if whatever is supporting the components is on wheels, so that one person can slide them about with little effort. It may help to get a third hand in there if your still experiencing difficulty.

I appreciate the help ill have to give it another go around after work but im working with a cherry picker and a regular floor jack to raise and lower the engine and transmisson

 

[gaz]

@SplotchyAphid05
OK, they are out of the vehicle.
• you can buy or rent a device (engine hoist leveler) that hooks up to your house and let's you adjust the angle.
• you can buy or rent a device that is a transmission jack that sits in a floor jack, allowing angle adjustment.
* Both adapters can come in a variety of styles, the pictures below are the style I have.

However, since you are on the deck, you can raise the engine at just about any angle that you want by adjusting the chain lengths to the hoist. With the transmission on the deck, simply use some scrap pieces of lumber to either build a temporary stand to make it level or match the angle that you have chosen for the engine with the hoist.

Once you get both matting surfaces parralel and nearly aligned (at the same height to bolt together) it will just be a matter of a little lube and patients

 

[pjtoledo]

I get some bolts a bit longer than the bell housing ones and cut the heads off to act as guides.
be sure they are long enough to grab for removal.

 

[JerrySab]

ALSO, in addition to the other advice, you have to be sure you've got the torque converter settled in the whole way! Maybe you didn't move it, but it sitting proud a few mil will feel like 3 inches as you try to guide the motor in.

 

[bcschief]

The torque converter when it's fully seated in the transmission will actually rub the inside of the bell housing when you spin it. If you try to install the transmission without the converter fully seated, you will damage the transmission.