Install Engine or Tranny First (or both Together) ?

[Canuck]

It's time for the engine and tranny to go back into the old girl but we're having some issues. Engine (300) is in and we put the bell housing on the engine and then tried to wrestle the T18 into place but couldn't get it to mate. Then removed the bell housing and put it on the T18 and tried again but the bell housing was the extra bit of weight that made it just too heave for us to handle.

Looking at options right now -including, I suppose, removing both from the truck, mating them and installing them as 1 unit.

What have you done in the past on this ? Engine first ? Tranny first ? Both together ??

[flyboy2610]

Generally, the tranny and bellhousing are installed first and positioned at a slight upward angle, but not much. A tranny jack is really helpful here. Then the engine is lowered into place and bolted to the tranny, after which the assembly is eased into final position. That's how I've always done it in the past, anyway.

[Freightrain]

I've done it both ways. Leaving trans/bellhousing in vehicle and then mate motor to it. Sometimes it takes some luck and finesse to get them to match up. You HAVE to have the clutch disc aligned or it won't go.

That big T18 is kinda cumbersome to hang on motor and get into engine bay. I suppose it could be done if need be.

[Canuck]

Thanks for the input. We got 'r in. In the end, I removed the bell housing from the tranny, then stood in the engine bay and lifted her into place while a buddy secured the rear mount. Then re-attached the bell housing and then poke the engine onto it at an angle using a load leveler.

The locating pins were a little stubborn but she went.