Easiest way to install engine with tranny still in place

[thegreatjustino]

I've got the 302 pulled and am about ready to drop the 351 in. What is the easiest way to slide the engine and tranny together with the tranny still in place? When you replace a transmission from below, you can turn the input shaft as you stab the transmission forward to get the splines to line up. Not so easy to do when you are doing it from the engine side.

A couple of specific questions:

1. Should the bellhousing be on the engine or on the transmission? Seems like it should be on the transmission since you won't have to worry about the clutch fork and throw out bearing lining up as you install the engine

2. Motor mounts - on the engine, on the frame, or out all together then installed once the engine and tranny are mated up?

It's just me and an engine hoist doing this, so any tips for making this an easier one man job would be appreciated.

 

[red hot71]

I think if I was doing this I would leave the bellhousing on the trans,because the throwout bearing and the fork won't pop out on you,your going to have enough fun just trying to get the splines to mesh with the pre. plate. I think the motor mounts should be out of the way,put then on after you mate the two together.

 

[Viperwolf1]

I agree. Bell on trans so you can see how the block and bell are aligning. Motor mount out of the way so you can move the motor around as needed.

I keep a couple 5" long 7/16" bolts with the heads cut off to act as alignment pins. Just be careful not to put much side force on them or something could break.

It's that last 1/2" that's always the PIA.

 

[bax]

Mounts off, bell on the trans, spin the motor with a bar to line up the splines.
done yet?

 

[thegreatjustino]

Well that was easy. The 351 slipped in like a lightsaber through butter. Given, I'm still getting everything hooked up so I can start it, but I don't see how it could have gone together incorrectly. Slipped right in and bolted together with minimal effort. I see why you guys say it's easier to change a clutch by removing the engine.