I installed the 289" in ERA FIA #2027 with the bellhousing in place.
Two experienced guys helped. We used a cherry picker. Engine went in from the front, lots of serious padding taped in place.
The engine dropped in almost vertically to clear at the front and rear. Rigged a chain sling/harness to the front of the block/cylinder heads to attach the lift.
Had a small hydraulic jack under the bellhousing to help rotate the engine to horizontal, and one person sitting in the car to pull back, one sliding the jack progressively rearward. The third person was working the picker.
I have since pulled the bellhousing/trans twice. It is a LOT easier to set up the housing and throwout bearing out of the car.
Two things that would have made the installation easier. A smooth surface, like a cement floor...my asphalt driveway was rough enough to make it hard to smoothly move the cherry picker.
The other thing, don't use a cherry picker if you can get a dead fall chain hoist. The cherry picker moves the engine in an ARC, the chain fall lifts straight up and down, even on asphalt the car will move more smoothly than a steel wheeled cherry picker.
We installed the 427 FE in my friends ERA 427 with the chain lift. Very controllable, staight up and down. With a floor jack under the front of the car it was easier to move the car around than try to move a cherry picker smoothly without the engine starting the engine swinging back and forth.
Sounds like you have it covered...with good help, I vote to leave the bellhousing on.
OH, lots of pizza.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkb289
Wolf,
I have a cherry picker and (4) experienced buddies to help push / pull / guide the motor into place, so sounds like it should be straight forward. Thanks for the advice, look forward to following your progress.
- Tim
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