Tips/Suggestions for Engine Install?

RestoCreations · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 12:02 PM

I am going to put the engine and transmission in this afternoon. I am going to attempt to install the engine from the passenger side with my standard engine hoist with extendable boom. Fully extended it will handle 1,000 pounds, or at least that is how it is marked. I think with the aluminum Shelby engine and tko trans, i am still well under a thousand pounds.
Anyway, any tips for where to put the jacks stands in order to avoid the engine hoists legs? Other tips?

trularin · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 01:54 PM

Hood off the car.
blankets or "pads" all around.
Swivel link at hook with good lub.

Good Luck.

FWB · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 02:19 PM

keep the front end as low as you can, take off the front wheels, get the rear end up as high as you can. you will have to tilt the assembly alot to get every thing in together. you will need patience and an extra set of hands

avanti-176 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 02:21 PM

What trularin said.....
Plus another set of hands.
I have done this many times with my Contemporary, by myself, it will scare the s%@t out of you when it is way up in the air swinging and dangleing over your car!
I know how I feel with my poor little fiberglass Contemporary, I can't imagine it with an aluminum Kirkham

As long as you have another pair of hands to keep things steady it should go smooth, and your heart will not be on the ragged edge of explosion the whole time.

razerwire · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 02:23 PM

Is the cross member for transmission removable? Maybe better to install transmission later. Guess you will see soon enough.

Dangerous Doug · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 03:24 PM

Make sure your engine is level left to right, as the difference will be more pronounced art the sidepipes, making one a tad lower than the other. I used a strip of aluminum stock over the valve covers and measured down to the frame.

Good luck.
DD

RestoCreations · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 04:14 PM

ooops, should have checked back in. I already finished. Not bad-just under 1-1/2 hours. However, the darn drivers engine bolt was a *&^%# to get into place. I spent an hour on it alone.

Thanks for the advise! I appreciate and i wish i had remembered to check back in. I do not recommend installing an engine of this magnitude by yourself. It was challenging to keep it from mauling the paint.