I need engine installation help!

[80k20andbroke]

Hello,

I know this is going to sound like a newbie post. I guess maybe it is. I have several Chevy trucks as most of you do. The one I'm working on now is an 80' k20. It has a 4 spd with a 205. The tranny and transfer case are still in the truck, and I am attempting to install a new 350. I CANNOT get the engine to line up with the tranny. This is not my first engine installation, but I don't have a lot of experience with 4 spds. It is a new clutch kit. Installed the new pilot bushing and aligned the pressure plate prior to bolting on the clutch. So, is it easier to go ahead and bolt up the engine to the cradle and drop the trans and case and then bolt the trans and case back up to the engine? Or is there a secret to getting the engine to line up with the tranny? Any help/tips/tricks are greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

[Disciples Performance]

what i always do with the hellish 465/205 combo i take the 4 bolts off that hold the bellhousing onto the tranny and bolt that to the engine then watch the input shaft go through the throw out bearing and clutch fork then just use a jack on the transmission and jiggle swear and use the cherry picker to get her to go that little extra through the clutch plate and into the pilot bearing on the flywheel and also removing the engine mounts off the frame HELP TONES gives you all the room in the world to line up the input shaft without the mounts on the motor hitting anything.. hope that helps my friend always works for me

 

[SnackPack]

Don't bother removing the tranny. Just jack it up as far as it'll go and wiggle that engine in there at the right angle. Otherwise you would have more trouble with a tranny jack going from the other end. Make sure your engine mounts don't get in the way if doing this.

Once the engine lines up, it should just snap into place and voila, your engine in flush with the bellhousing. Trust me, it's easier to do this with "dropping" a motor than "raising" a transmission, if you get my drift.

Adam

 

[ChefBear]

about 23 years ago I changed the clutch on my 76 1/2 ton and didn't know about a clutch alignment tool. 18 years old dumber than hell 3 days later the neighboor went and got me one I'm still mad at him.

 

[80k20andbroke]

Thanks for your responses guys! It's always nice to get new ideas when you're frustrated. Chef, I did align the clutch/pressure plate. I think I will take off the frame mounts as they were getting in the way. Also, taking the bellhousing off may help too. Any other tips for me out there???

 

[70jimmy]

Taking off the frame mounts/crossmember is a good idea. I use cherry picker on engine, tranny jack, and I have also used airing down or up tires to help with the alignment of everything.

 

[01maroonz71]

i put my 350 in my truck with my sm465 hooked too it. new clutch and all. then bolt the case up and badda boom, badda bing. i did have a forklift though, which made it nice.

oh yeah, and beer helps. lots of beer. it makes things run smooooother.

 

[camok5]

Did this same swap last year on (Noahrob) blazer and it was a pain in the ass. Like it was said before you just have to keep wiggling the engine around untill you get it perfectly lined up. It helps alot if you have more than one person so one can be messing with the engine and one can mess with the tranny. Not sure if it helps but we used a cherry picker on the tranny by pulling off the tranny inspection plate inside the cab and running the picker through the door, seemed to help better than a jack on the tranny because you could move it around more.

 

[80k20andbroke]

Well, I don't feel quite as bad now. It is a pain to say the least! It's nice to see that others have had issues with it too. I have done a lot of drivetrain swapping over the years, but man, this is a tough one. I won't have a chance to jack with it again for a few days, but when I do, I'll update ya all. Thanks for all the posts! I love this site! I haven't posted a lot, but I have learned a ton! Thanks again...

 

[jones]

I did this swap earlier this year...alone.It Sucked BIG weenie!!
The only thing that I can add to the other suggestions(swearing,mind altering substance,wiggling,etc)is this:

Put some bearing grease on the input shaft of the trans,and in the pilot bearing to reduce the friction/binding so everything slides together easier.I believe this helped alot more than you think it would.

Good luck!