Motor and A/T out of car and ready to go back in.

When I pulled things I did the trans first then the motor for one of the two cars and the motor and trans together for the other car. I thought the engine and trans pull was eaiser than seperating the trans from the motor.

I do not have a lift, so the trans install would be from my back.

What would you guys reccommend on the install?

Install the motor and trans together
or
Trans first then motor?

Motor will not have any accessories on it and I shortie headers to go on as well.

No radiator or A/C stuff in the car.

What do you think we (father/son) should do?

 

I would install motor and transmission together. That the way I did mines the last time.

 

This gets asked frequently. Like, probably 3 times, on this very page.

Either way will "work". Which one is better FOR YOU, depends on what tools you have, where the car is, etc. There is not a universally "right" or "wrong" way.

Personally I find it easier to put the transmission in first by itself, then put the engine in afterwards; but, that's because of the particular combination of tools that I usually use. Other people find it better to do them together.

I usually put as many of the accessories as possible onto the motor first, leave the distributor out. Leave the headers off, lay them in the chassis, and set the motor in on top of them and bolt them up.

 

So far two guys with different answers.

I understand everyone has different opinions and combination of tools but I guess I'm looking for the good and bad so I can decide along with any HELPFUL HINTS to get the job done.

I have a engine hoist with a load leveler. The car is in a garage with a good concrete floor and their is plenty of head clearance. I have a compressor, air tools and of course hand tools etc..At this time the engine bay is prepped and new motor mounts are in. I do not have a transmission jack but I do have two floor jacks and an assortment of jack stands and enough wood blocks to back up the jack stands.

Thanks for your replies.

Mike & Mike

 

the reason why I like to do them together is it is a pain in the a$$ to lay on the ground and installed a transmission. alot easier to do it out of the car. as long as you have the right angle engine/transmission will silde right in. then all you have to do is slide a floor jack under the trans and install the crossmember.

 

I thought it was easy to install as a combo. Just get the load leveler on the hoist - makes it easier since the tranny pulls down so hard without it.

I just had to remove my tranny by itself, and I'm not looking forward to getting the two remated while I'm on my back!

 

Ok Im glad this came up, I lost oil pressure and only need to take the engine out to check all bearings and whatnot. is there much of a time differance removing both engine and trans over just the engine? Anything I should look out for when removing the manual tranny? And should I remove the headers form the heads or can I get by just unbolting from the Y-pipe?

I would like the quickest way since my stupid homeowners association doesnt like inoperable cars in driveways Its in a asphault drive and I have all the basic tools and will buy any special tools I would need.

 

novadk13 (aka - "Highjacker"):

You don't need to remove the engine to check the bearings. Remove y-pipe, lift engine off of mounts*, remove oil pan, check berarings.

*Having removed the distributor cap first, of course.