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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Stewart G Griffin on May 24, 2009, 10:37:06 pm

Title: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on May 24, 2009, 10:37:06 pm

Do you have any tips (yes---it's about that time) as far as lining up the engine and trans when putting the engine back in the chassis?

i know, i've done this about the 3 times with no real problems, but for some reason i'm having a little trouble with it now.

i must confess that i'm using a stock gm car jack to support the transmission under the converter which you probably shouldn't do but i did it the last 3 times and....................etc.

The trans is rotated a little to one side but still "in-phase" with the engine;  i just can't get the dowels to line up with the holes in the trans.

Should i get a transmission jack?  i know, they don't cost much but i was thinking that if i could do it without it then why bother?  Since it will be used only infrequently.

Title: Re: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 24, 2009, 11:43:41 pm

I've used a ratch-a-strap. ran across frame to frame under the bell housing on the trany, put the motor in and if the trany needs to go up you just give it a click or too and what not.

Title: Re: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: fitz on May 25, 2009, 07:02:48 am

Try to loosen up the tranny mount bolts on the crossmember to give you some more wiggle room.

Title: Re: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: VileZambonie on May 25, 2009, 12:20:13 pm

Do not jack it up by the converter!

Spreading the clam shell for the motor mount slightly will help give you a little more room to move things around. Patience, a pry bar, and  block of wood with a floor jack under the trans pan will help.

Title: Re: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: eventhorizon66 on May 25, 2009, 12:35:51 pm

Quote from: VileZambonie on May 25, 2009, 12:20:13 pm

Do not jack it up by the converter!

Wow, I read through this thread and didn't catch that.  :o  Potentially dangerous and bad for the trans.  I used a thick piece of plywood to spread the load and jacked up under the trans pan.

Title: Re: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on May 25, 2009, 04:37:01 pm

i kind of figured you were not supposed to that.

So if i use a 2X4 or plywood, this won't damage the pan or the gasket?

i might just go ahead and get the trans jack.

Title: Re: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: VileZambonie on May 25, 2009, 05:34:56 pm

A floor jack and block of wood under the trans pan is fine.

Title: Re: RE: LINING UP THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION:
Post by: Stowburb on May 26, 2009, 09:44:07 am

I use 2 LONG bolts with the head cut off them and grind to a rounded point and run them finger tight into the block and line them up with the holes in the bell housing and it all just slides together very easy!