|
Engine install in ERA
I'm planning my engine install and probably will do it in Oct. I have a lot of conflicting advice on the best way to do this. Should I install the engine+bell, and then the trans later? Or should I install the engine alone, and later the bell and trans, as ERA recommends? Has anyone installed engine+bell+trans together in an ERA 427?
Also, can I get by with a one-ton hoist or should I go with the longer-reach two-ton one? Did you use a tilter or just an engine plate? I'd really appreciate your experience and tips. Thanks! |
Lippy - Someone within the last few weeks said they installed their engine and transmission together into their ERA. I will see if I can find the thread. I installed my engine with the clutch in place and then installed the bellhousing after the engine was in. Apparently if the entire engine/trans can go in together, putting the bellhousing on before the install should not cause a problem.
Definately get a 2-ton hoist. I used an engine tilter - it's not essential but is nice to have. It kind of depends how you are going to hoist the engine - if using a intake plate then you can pivot the engine up or down pretty easily - and I don't think a tilter is of any help. If using chains at the front and rear of the engine (as I did due to the dual quad intake) then the tilter is a lot more helpful. If you decide not to try and install the transmission with the engine - I would recomend getting a couple 5 or 6 inch bolts of the size that secure the transmission to the bellhousing, cut the head off of them and round the ends to make some dowels for supporting the weight of the transmission as it's guided into the clutch disc and the pilot bushing. You can swing the transmission down and hang on the dowels and then just slide it in without having to support it's weight. |
It was cscobra - in a post in your build log. See pasted below:
Quote:
|
I installed my 390 and richmond gears all as one unit, no interior in the car, and it went in very easy.
Jay |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...P1010006-1.jpg It may also be that if installing the engine/trans together, you have to start with the engine forward quite a bit and kind of swing the engine down and back over the front suspension X-brace. There are also the chassis tubes running over the footboxes and narrowing in towards the X-brace and possibly the fuel pump could hang up. I'm just guessing. Dropping the engine in w/o the transmission allows it to drop in almost vertically. But putting the trans is separately was a chore. http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...P1010011-1.jpg |
Are you going to have Brent dial in your bell housing for you? That would be a nice PITA to avoid for a modest fee.
|
Quote:
|
lippy,
My experience is with a small block into an FIA, but I would think the process would be very similar. Like ERA recommends, I would install the motor and transmission separately. Good idea to have Brent install all the clutch components … TO bearing, fork, bell housing and starter … making sure things lined up. As Dan suggested, cut the heads off (2) extra transmission bolts and put into the upper holes of the bell housing to use as guide pins. Do a test fit of the transmission out of the car. Take the guide pins out and remove the water pump pulley & alternator and install the motor without the transmission. Once it's in place, with the seats out and no trans tunnel, the transmission should slide right it and bolt up no problem. As I recall, there is a boss on the TKO 600 that needs to be cut off, it's in the manual. Along with covering the fenders, tape some cardboard on the aluminum fire wall to keep it from getting dinged up. It helps to have about three or four guys to help guide it in, and help you to celebrate when it's in :):) Are you going with an internal TO bearing / slave cylinder or external slave cylinder? I would recommend the external, easier to fix if it leaks … but see what Brent recommends for your setup. Don't forget to take some pictures of this milestone, you are making great progress! |
Not intending to take anything away from tkb289's comments - but I did my engine and transmission install by myself. I think if you have some gearhead buddies who work on cars then an install party sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately most of my friends are hamfisted and know or care very little about working on cars (or are even older than I am). They mean well but I didn't need them around all my fresh paint work. Just to let you know that if you go slow and easy it isn't difficult.
However, a helper or two would be necessary if installing the engine and transmission together to push the back down to slide into the tunnel and then lift it back up over the top of the frame transmission mount. Again, I think a 2-ton lift is a good idea. Cover and pad everything. If installing the transmission later, figure out how you are going to get it over and down into the car to install. As suggested by tkb289, trial fit the transmission before putting the enigne in to make sure the clutch disc is aligned and it will slip in. To satisfy Patrick (and the rest of us) take lots of pictures and post. |
Dan,
I like your method and it's impressive you did the motor install all by yourself. I was lucky enough to have several very experienced & talented helpers, that were as careful, thoughtful and particular as I was, so the install went very well. I agree that having ham fisted helpers is not a good idea, they mean well but may not be all the 'helpful'. It's great to see another ERA going together ... pictures please :) |
Quote:
... and what tkb289 said about a test fit of tranny outside the car: http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d..._2_003_med.jpg http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ny_Medium_.jpg Sam |
ERA773 with 427
I have had the engine, bellhousing and transmission in and out several times as one unit. Easy job using a 2 ton engine hoist with a tilt adjuster from Harbor Freight. Remove the left front wheel and support the frame with a jack stand. Lift the motor trans over the front of the car, start tilting it down in the back and continue inching the hoist back along side the car. After the bell housing clears the fire wall start leveling the tilt adjuster. Slowly ease the motor down onto the motor mounts. Doing the job by yourself should take less than a half an hour. |
This is all excellent information. Thanks. I'm going to try to do it all as one unit and if it doesn't look like it will fit easily I can remove the trans. Seems like it's almost a sure thing the engine+bell will fit relatively easily. One more question: should I try to get 2 guys to help, or is 1 good?
|
Quote:
Thanks for any details. Regards, Kevin |
Kevin;
Leave the alternator off. Radiator out. Everything else should be OK. Call me if you have any questions. C = 925-525-4700 |
Quote:
Yes i had no seats no carpet but dash was in and was not an issue. I used a hoist from the beam in our garage at the time as our engine lift did not allow for enough room to get the car under it. This is the older ERA before they changed the frame and tunnel on the car. jay http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=10726&thumb=1 http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/pict...=10727&thumb=1 |
Quote:
|
I think the only frame changes at the front were to go to round tubing for the suspension X-brace (I think that was some time ago) and to add the two tubes that run across the top of the footboxes to the X-brace. If anything, the two tubes kind of narrow the space down to drop the engine through - but not enough to be a problem. Sounds like the transmission tunnel under the dash is the most significant change that might help out.
|
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:06 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: