Probably a dumb engine installation question??

[orygunbou71]

Hey guys i pulled out my old 302 engine and bellhousing cause its tired and time to rebuild it. My question is do i need to drop the tranny (NP435) and transfer case (Dana 20) to put the motor and bellhousing in or can i leave them in and put the motor in? if i can do it either way which is easiest?

 

[Nightstick]

It's easier to stab the trans when you can manipulate it without being attached to anything, but it can be done with it in. I say leave it in....

 

[76_fordbronco]

Ditto, makes it a lot easier.

 

[Mountain Ram]

IMHO... It's been easier to get the motor set in place and the bring the trans up to it to mate them. Imagine trying to stab that motor onto that small trans, with the motor up on a hoist where small movements at the hoist translate into big movements of the motor.

Meaning I would pull the trans and line it back up with a floor jack. But that's just me

 

[thegreatjustino]

100 times easier to leave the transmission in, attach the bellhousing to the tranny, then install the engine.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I find it easier to bolt the engine, trans and transfer case all to the engine. Engine with intake, without carb, without distributor, without accessorys, without exhaust. Wiggle and line everything up out of the truck is easier and less chance of binding, bending, breaking stuff. Best chance of getting a straight shot at plugging all the parts without binding anything, bending a clutch disk, etc.

Drop the whole thing in, floor jack to pick up the transfer case. Slip in the crossmember and it is all in.

 

[orygunbou71]

I find it easier to bolt the engine, trans and transfer case all to the engine. Engine with intake, without carb, without distributor, without accessorys, without exhaust. Wiggle and line everything up out of the truck is easier and less chance of binding, bending, breaking stuff. Best chance of getting a straight shot at plugging all the parts without binding anything, bending a clutch disk, etc.

Drop the whole thing in, floor jack to pick up the transfer case. Slip in the crossmember and it is all in.

That will actually work even with the np435?? I have a 2" BL and a 3.5" Suspension lift. I dont have to take anything apart?? If i can drop it in as one unit seems like the easiest.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have done a 351/NP435/D20 in and out all as one package. You do need a good engine hoist and good level solid ground. That huge package that far up is a bit nerve racking. I use a come-a-long between the transfer case and the hook on the cherry picker to pick the tail over the grill. I would have prefered a gantery but didn't have one. I have done it a few times. In, out and in again (with a 4R70W to replace the 435).