Trouble Swapping Out My 223

[Anonymous]

I posted a while back that my trusty ol' 223 in my '57 Custom 300 crapped out on me on a trip back in March. I found a GREAT 223 locally from a '59 F100 and we've been working on installing it this week at my buddy's shop. After some unexpected problems with the torque convertor (it was trashed and completely explained the massive trans leak!), we finally dropped the engine in. After manipulating the motor mounts a little, she finally started to fall into place. The problem is that it's "binding" with the transmission. We can't see mto get it lined up. It's like the engine is trying to go too far back. After three lengthy attempts, we had to give up for the day. I looked at the motor mount holes on the old and replacement blocks and they appear to be in the exact same location.

Any thoughts on what's happening? I suppose we'll loosen the trans moutns and see if we can squeeze everything in place, but this is really weird. It should have just dropped in but, of course, it's never that easy!

 

[Daves55Courier]

Check your 2 side rubber motor mounts. If they appear to be leaning backward a lot, that could be the problem. I got new motor mounts to replace my old rubber ones and there was a world of difference. You can get it in using the old ones by leaving the engine hoist hooked up with a small amount of tension, install your motor mount nuts loosely, then put a small screw-jack between the transmission crossmember and the transmission or use wood wedges. Lengthen the screw jack to push the engine forward until the crossmember holes line up with the trans mount. Install your bolts there loosely and let down the engine hoist. The weight should equalize and force your motor mounts forward a bit. Check for gaps between mounting surfaces and if all is good, Tighten everything.

 

[277 I6]

is it that engine & trans will not go togather

 

[Anonymous]

They go together, it's just a real pain to get everything lined up. We were hoping to get it in without pulling the trans, but I think that's the route we're going to take this week. I need to do some cleanup underneath from a big trans leak that I had, anyway, so it will be a lot easier with everything out. I can get it all cleaned up and painted underneath, so it will look nice n' purdy when it gets put back together

I also noticed that the left side motor mount is not the right one. It was "modified" from something else out of another engine and rigged to work. Since I'm waiting anyway, I'll go ahead and order the right mounts. Any suggestions on where to get them?

We'll pull the engine and tranny out, bolt everything up and drop it in as one assembly. I'll post an update once we try that aproach.