Pulling my Engine

[Jim Holden]

A couple more errant thoughts:

1. Pre fit the bell housing (check for alignment etc. and pre fit/bolt up the trans while everything is out of the car.

2. Check the alignment of the bell housing to make sure that it is properly centered on the crank. If necessary use the offset alignment pins (or you can do as Doug at the shop does; drill out the alignment holes in the bell housing, align and the "peen over" the edges or spot weld to permanently locate the bell housing... give Doug a call if you want to try that route).

3. Make two "alignment pins" that can be bolted into the bell housing and are long enough to slip the trans onto to help line everything up. These can be made by cutting off the heads of the correct size bolts and cutting a grove in the end so that you can turn them out later with a screwdriver.

4. Make sure that the clutch disc is aligned and the clutch bolted down and torqued to the correct settings before you try to put the engine into the car. It's much easier before rather than later.

5. Check that your throw out bearing/clutch fork all fit correctly and have the correct amount of play before you try to put everything into the car.

6. Oh, and one more thing; make sure you have the correct pilot bushing installed and lubricated for the trans that you are using. Nothing like getting everything together in the car and then realizing that you have forgotten the pilot bearing... or its the wrong size.

Good luck.

Jim

PS: ...and Ol' Rick Lake is correct about the type of bolts to use. The Allens with small diameter washers is the way to go. You may still have to clearance one or two spots so that the washers lie flat against the bell housing flange.