Putting it all back together

[Anonymous]

After purchasing what I believe to be all the parts necessary for the rebuild, it is time to start to putting the car all back together (66 Mustang Conv.). In addtion to having the entire engine rebuilt and assembled (see old posts), I purchased headers, a new carb (Weber 32/36), Painless wiring harness, and a DSII ignition system with MSD box. All this needs to be installed. Since this is my first complete overhaul, I am bringing in the expert to help put it back together (OK, maybe not an expert, but he is my father and has been a mechanic for 30+years). The expert is coming in from CA so I need to have everything ready so we do not waste time dealing with stuff I should have considered before he arrives. Like I said, the engine was completely rebuilt and reassembled. I need to drop it into the bay and make all the connections.

Here is where I need assistance. Is there anything I should be doing prior to his arrival. I have all the bolts cleaned and marked from when I took them out. I will have a lift here the day he arrives to put the engine in. Any ideas from you folks???

I realize it has been awhile since my last post but I needed to save money so that this project could be completed. I appreciate all the help.

Bob

 

[CobraSix]

I would put everything in you can. the MSD box, wiring harness, etc. Make it so all you need to do is drop the engine in. With an extra hand, it should only take you about 2-3 hours to drop the engine in. THe hardest part will be lining the transmission up. You may want to consider pulling the tranny and attaching it to the engine outside of the car.

Slade

 

[addo]

I'm with Slade on the tranny preassemble. Pop the steering centre link for easier loading of the 'unit" thus formed. Make sure the engine lifting / tilting system is well-devised and feasible. Put the exhaust headers and starter on before installing

A few chunks of 4×4 and 2×4 make handy props/struts/levers while you manhandle things into pefect alignment.

Cheers, Adam.

 

[Guest]

Just my humble opinion.......I would only do the engine and trans. in one piece if I had pulled them both out that way. It is not "that" hard to line up a engine with the trans. To me it is not worth the extra work of removing the transmission, draining it (otherwise you would spill trans. fluid all over the place when you try to put both back in together), bolting both back together, then finally being able to put it back in. I DO agree that if you did have them BOTH out already (like if the trans. was rebuilt also) that installing them in one unit is the best way.

The extra time spent, to me, is not justified.

Good luck eitherway!

 

[CobraSix]

Larry, good point. I just can't imagine trying to line up the engine, with the mounts, and the tranny all at the same time, especially if you have a manual tranny and need to spin the shaft to get it to line up.

Here is another option, so you dont have to drain anything. Consider dropping the tranny straight down. Put the engine in, support the rear of the engine with some 2x4s, and then put the tranny back in. I've just usually found it's easier to limit how many things you have to line up at once.

Slade

 

[addo]

Headers make the trans install harder in the car. So much so that if you compare the effort of installing the headers in the car and also the tranny, to just pulling the box then dropping a completed assembly in, the latter is my choice.

Adam.

 

[Alabama65stang]

Where do you guys hook up the chain to lift the engine & trans together? When I pulled mine, I put a bolt in a hole near the rear of the block on the left side and one in a hole between #1 & #2 cylinders on the right side, but I was just lifting out the block only, I had the head off and disconnected from the Tranny. Will these same locations work if I put it all back in as a unit with the engine completely assembled?

 

[CobraSix]

I used a load leveler. You really need that to pull both. I put the rear two bolts at the rear two bolt holes on the block. The front two when in the 2nd or 3rd set of holes from the front. It gave me a good range of motion to tilt and get it all out.

Slade

 

[addo]

On the driver's side the coil bracket bolt holes are sturdy enough to mount a flat hook (Ford did). On the opposite side, under the first and last exhaust tubes should do it. You could also employ water pump and starter mount holes, and stabilising strap to the rear end of the tranny.

Regards, Adam.