Time to install an engine and trans

[Detroit Bill]

Doing some simple math it appears to me the going rate to install an engine and trans is around 10k. I am sure there is a thread that addresses this but I can't seem to find the search terms that finds them.

I want to know what is involved? What parts beyond the engine and trans are needed? How many hours might one expect to spend? I have a roll on lift and I am reasonably mechanical with 16 and 17 year old boys as partners in crime.

[bobcowan]

Generally speaking, you'll need the bellhousing and contents, clutch linkage, attachment bolts for everything, throttle linkage/cable, radiator hoses, and a few other minor odds and ends. Mostly it depends on what you're installing.

If you call Mike Forte, he'll ship you everything you need, right down to the last washer.

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

Generally speaking, you'll need the bellhousing and contents, clutch linkage, attachment bolts for everything, throttle linkage/cable, radiator hoses, and a few other minor odds and ends. Mostly it depends on what you're installing.

If you call Mike Forte, he'll ship you everything you need, right down to the last washer.

Who is Mike Forte, does he have a website?

[patrickt]

If you get to know your local Cobra club, most of them will put your engine and trans in for free -- just because it's fun -- and the price tag is usually pizza, beer, and occasionally something a little harder. $10k to drop an engine and trans in to a Cobra is nuts.

[Detroit Bill]

What worries me is that I am sure it is much more engine and motor mounts. The problem is I am not sure what is involved.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

What worries me is that I am sure it is much more engine and motor mounts. The problem is I am not sure what is involved.

If that's all you are worried about, then buy yourself a plastic mockup block ahead of time and make sure everything is going to fit.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by patrickt

If you get to know your local Cobra club, most of them will put your engine and trans in for free -- just because it's fun -- and the price tag is usually pizza, beer, and occasionally something a little harder. $10k to drop an engine and trans in to a Cobra is nuts.

Totally agree!...$10k? That buys a lot of pizza and beer!

Unless you just don't want to deal with it and have "concierge service", but then that is still nuts!

You also learn a lot of things along the way that you will need to know in owning and maintaining one of these cars.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

If you get to know your local Cobra club, most of them will put your engine and trans in for free -- just because it's fun -- and the price tag is usually pizza, beer, and occasionally something a little harder. $10k to drop an engine and trans in to a Cobra is nuts.

Speaking on behalf of the certifiably nutty crowd, as Bernica alludes to, $10K will buy you "concierge level" detail and service. I paid a local shop in the SF Bay Area (though an hour+ away from home) to install my engine and tranny, plus detail the engine compartment (and other parts of the car) with authenticity in mind. What I didn't get are a whole host of issues, one example being the misalignment of the bellhousing and trans. You're paying an expert with 25+ years of Cobra-specific experience and knowledge.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Speaking on behalf of the certifiably nutty crowd, as Bernica alludes to, $10K will buy you "concierge level" detail and service. I paid a local shop in the SF Bay Area (though an hour+ away from home) to install my engine and tranny, plus detail the engine compartment (and other parts of the car) with authenticity in mind. What I didn't get are a whole host of issues, one example being the misalignment of the bellhousing and trans. You're paying an expert with 25+ years of Cobra-specific experience and knowledge.

Well, I can't point fingers... I essentially did the same, albeit with the elves in New Britain.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You're paying an expert with 25+ years of Cobra-specific experience and knowledge.

Reminds me of boxhead's (Aussie Club cobra member and all round good guy) sign off...

Professionals built the titanic.
Ametures built the arc.

Just sayin'

[lippy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Speaking on behalf of the certifiably nutty crowd, as Bernica alludes to, $10K will buy you "concierge level" detail and service. I paid a local shop in the SF Bay Area (though an hour+ away from home) to install my engine and tranny, plus detail the engine compartment (and other parts of the car) with authenticity in mind. What I didn't get are a whole host of issues, one example being the misalignment of the bellhousing and trans. You're paying an expert with 25+ years of Cobra-specific experience and knowledge.

I didn't have any of this issues either and I installed the drivetrain myself. Yes, you need to be careful and you may make some mistakes, but you can do it if you are patient and will be rewarded. It's not rocket science.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

Who is Mike Forte, does he have a website?

There's actually a few of us that can supply all those things....:-)

[lippy]

Just plan it out. You can do this, and you'd be glad afterward. Plenty of help available here, and that's all I needed.

[lippy]

I bought the Harbor Freight 2-ton crane and tilter for about $200 with coupons, delivered. I called a few friends over and my wife made sandwiches. You could do it with 2-3 guys easily in about 3 hours. I bolted the engine, trans, clutch, and bell together and installed as a unit. It can absolutely be done this way with the newer ERAs. But later I had to remove the trans a few times myself because of a clutch problem. I would install the engine/bell/clutch as a unit, and the trans after (test fit before). Protect the fenders, firewall, and frame very well.

Once it is together bleed it and jack the rear up. Manually check movement of the wheels in neutral and also in gear with the clutch in. Make sure it's right before starting.

My build log has pix of all of this. You absolutely can do it with your boys.

[twobjshelbys]

You should seriously consider buying a car that is already finished. The delivery time for a new roller is probably around a year (unless you find one in inventory that is configured to your liking) and then figure another 6-8 weeks for power train, and then you get to sort it out. Getting a new cobra running has been a chore for a lot of folks, from engine to suspension. I would never do it again. I'll probably be getting another Cobra but I will buy one already done by a reputable installer.

Having made your decision you should look frequently at 427 Cobra Country--Ford AC Cobra replica manufacturers SUPER-SITE. Chances are the car you want will cross over there before you could get one built.

Good luck! I'm glad you are forging forward. Alot of people here get into "analysis paralysis" and never buy because the number of decisions is greater than 3.

[Bernica]

I'm with Lippy. You can absolutely do it with some good friends in an afternoon. Just plan the entire operation ahead of time and have all the parts, tools, lights etc on hand and laid out. Nothing worse than bringing the whole show to a stop because you are missing something. It's also nice to have a "parts runner" that can make the inevitable speed runs to the local auto parts store while everyone else keeps working.

Run your "team" through the game plan and familiarize them on where everything goes and what to be careful of. Feed them well, but not too much beer until you are finished!

[Kobura]

Back to drive train installation. OK, perhaps it is a straightforward procedure in most cases, but I have to believe that there are surprises and issues in many other cases. It seems to me that unless the installation is done 'professionally' even by 'non-professionals', that the car will require more maintenance until things are sorted out. The other aspect of engine installation is the look of the engine bay. I chose to get my car finished at Vintage because of Brian's expertise in dressing the engine installation. In fact, my pride of ownership is probably greater in looking under the hood of the car than looking at the car itself. I go out to the garage everyday to look at and sit in my Backdraft as it is such a beautifully executed assemblage of machinery.

[Detroit Bill]

1.) Assemble the clutch and bell housing. Making sure the bell housing is aligned with the crank. (You might be able to get the engine builder to do this.)

2.) Remove what you can from the engine bay to make the install easier.

3.) Tie back wires and hoses.

4.) Make sure the engine mounts and transmount / crossmember are correct.

5.) Get a lift and tiller.

6.) Slide the whole thing in.

7.) Depending on the mounts make sure it is all level.

8.) Hook up clutch, adjust.

9.) Hook up starter

10.) Run fuel lines and filter.

11.) Attach speedo cable/electronics.

12.) Ground strap to the engine.

13.) Install battery

14.) Mount ignition module.

15.) All of the of course assumes you take your times and make it all neat.

16.) Have a drive shaft made or are they pre made depending in trans choice?

That is off the top of my head. What else is there?

I have a roll on lift which will make parts of this easier. I can get a jack that travels along rails on the lift so you can lift the wheels up while on the lift.

[Bernica]

Have a fire extinguisher or two on hand.
First aid kit with band aids
A voltage multimeter

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Have a fire extinguisher or two on hand.
First aid kit with band aids
A voltage multimeter

And plenty of old quilts and blankets. The older and softer the better.