Installing engine and transmission question?

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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #30 on: March 29, 2014 - 06:55:50 PM »
it is a process , typically & raise both ends as high as possible put the stands at the front of the leaf spring where it cannot slide back & leave as much weight as possible on the rear so yes I usually have the rear tires on but not always , I have used an engine stand to lift the front once , it just got in the way so from then on I just lifted the car with my legs grabbing the front bumper or bumper brackets & had a friend raise the stands as I lifted roll the engine under the car usually through the wheelwell where there is the max clearance , then lower the nose right down , often I will lower the rear also until the frame sits on the K member & line up the front 2 bolts , jack the rear & start the 2 rear K bolts & then try to get 2 bolts into the trans crossmember & & then jack the car up again slide under & tighten everything up & install the Tbars , bolt up the spindles to the lower ball joints .
 The snowmobile pads worked great , BUT I often had to tweak the lip holding the castor so welding a brace in the corners would help as occaisionally the caster would get stuck in a crack or divot in the cement  & twist the lip where the castor is bolted on , there are different styles that may work better than the set I had , I have seen modified engines stand frames & even wood dollies used , a fully dressed big block & trans on the K frame with steering & lower control arms is probably close to 1000 or 1100 lbs . I install engine with everything possible on them , exhaust manifolds or headers , intake & carb/s pullies , belts fan all wiring as it is easier to just plug the harness into the firewall , lower control arms , castor struts , spindles I usually hang from the upper control arms installed first .

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Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #31 on: March 29, 2014 - 07:41:46 PM »
I have done it the old fashon way a few times like CudamanTom's pictures, I think I will try this next time, looks easy. But if you just wanna take out the engine, fix it up and put it back, isn't it a pain in the butt to remove the T-bars and have to realign the front end afterwards (if all that stuff is already good...)?
Or can you remove the front suspension in a way so you do not have to realign again?
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #32 on: March 29, 2014 - 07:58:22 PM »
the T bars takes a few minutes to slide out , the alignment really stays the same , you are not altering the upper control arm where most of the settings are made ,  the tie rods are not adjusted so it should all go back together the same way , the onlything upset is the lower control arm so you can check toe in with a tape measure

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Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #33 on: March 29, 2014 - 08:16:28 PM »
Aha, so you separate at the upper ball joint, that make sense...
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #34 on: March 29, 2014 - 08:30:26 PM »
no , usually I remove the brake rotor & undo the 2 bolts through the spindle into the lower ball joint

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Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #35 on: March 30, 2014 - 05:45:13 AM »
I see, that would leave the brake system intact also.
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline dpcd67

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #36 on: March 30, 2014 - 08:22:31 PM »
Just got done bolting my blasted and painted K frame and all related parts back in my 73 cuda, but this sounds like a better way to put the engine back in; fully assembled.  I don't want to remove the K frame but I am now thinking about it. Hmmm...
1963 Dodge M37 (3)
1967 Dodge WM300 (2)
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Bought new in '71; I wanted the Challenger but they were $2850; too much $ so I got the 318, 3 speed on the floor, Twister Duster for $2100.
1973 Plymouth Barracuda
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Offline CudamanTom

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #37 on: March 30, 2014 - 09:32:36 PM »
For me, I never removed the k-frame so I think I'm going to drop in the motor/tranny. Just seems easier since nothing but lift and drop the motor/tranny, then two engine bolts and cross member. All the other stuff (radiator, exhaust, etc) would have to be done either way, for me anyway.
I suppose each way has their pros/cons. Just depends on how far you have come to removing or not removing the k-frame IMHO.
1971 Cuda Vert 440-833 - (clone)
1971 Cuda 440-727 - (clone)


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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #38 on: March 31, 2014 - 07:37:22 AM »
once you do it from the bottom you will never look back & try to squeeze it in from the top , it is so much easier to do the assy work on the floor & just slide it in complete from underneath . I had to pull an engine with a low oil pressure issue , never even considered removing it from the top , just dropped it out from the bottom in no time .

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Offline soundcontrol

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #39 on: March 31, 2014 - 03:43:55 PM »
I'm gonna build a cart with wheels to have the whole engine package sit on, what is a good height for this? I guess low is good, but you gotta get in under and get to the K-frame bolts at least, and also get to the transmission support to slide the bolts in.
/ Ken
Restoration thread: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=102525.0
topic=108917.new#new

Offline onebadfish

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #40 on: March 31, 2014 - 06:25:06 PM »
I am about to do the same and I found this link.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=209411

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #41 on: March 31, 2014 - 06:28:45 PM »
once you do it from the bottom you will never look back & try to squeeze it in from the top , it is so much easier to do the assy work on the floor & just slide it in complete from underneath . I had to pull an engine with a low oil pressure issue , never even considered removing it from the top , just dropped it out from the bottom in no time .

 :iagree:

I have done it both ways and I can safely say that I will not be putting one in from the top again. For even more fun on the next one I'll be using a lift which will make life alot easier. The one thing I love is that you can put just about everything before lowering the car onto the Kmember. Saves a bunch of time leaning over the car, let alone bumping your head and banging your knuckles.

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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #42 on: March 31, 2014 - 09:30:10 PM »
4¨up or so just enough to clear the castors & you wil have room to get the K bolts started

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Offline CudamanTom

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #43 on: March 31, 2014 - 10:07:57 PM »
So if you have a k-member already installed, you still think it's easier? :dunno:
My fear is the T-bars not coming lose or something and causing more headache (special tools and stuff). :pullinghair:
Not that I can't do it, but causing more work.  :clueless:
I'm on the fence on this so far. You know, change....  :sly:
1971 Cuda Vert 440-833 - (clone)
1971 Cuda 440-727 - (clone)


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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Installing engine and transmission question?
« Reply #44 on: April 01, 2014 - 12:52:59 AM »
Yes I still believe it is better from the bottom

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