Engine and gearbox - how hard to fit to car?

[DanEC]

Well, I can tell you shoe-horning a 426 Hemi into an engine bay from underneath is extremely tight as that thing is really big. But Chrysler made it possible by attaching the lower suspension arm to the K-member which is part of the engine/transmission/k-member that goes in from underneath at once - something we don't have the advantage of.

Your frame opening does look pretty open and your dimensions seem to show 2 - 3 inches to clear which could be enough going really slow. The valve covers could probably be left off if that reduces width any - may not on a small block. Is the area the transmission fits also open? Does it have a bolt in cross-member or does the transmission tail have to slide in over a cross member? If the latter that might be an issue as to do this by raising the front of the car, a mid-point cross member will be pretty high and the transmission tail will be pretty low. If the body/frame were put on a 2-post lift where it sits level and is lowered over the engine then the tail of the transmission could be raised with a jack at some point and the motor/trans assembly rolled back until the engine is in position.

Not sure about the mounts - looks like they would have to come out and go in after at least the heads are up into the engine bay. Getting to them to bolt in place might be an issue.

What manufacturer Cobra is this by the way?