Engine install alignment problems
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Engine install alignment problems
I have a rebuilt 400 that I am installing. The truck has a 4 speed manual so, the clutch assembly was hung from the engine out of the truck and aligned with a plastic tool. Also installed a new pilot bushing.
The engine is "in" the truck but the mounts are 1/2 inch above the perches and it won't seat. Also have about 3/4 inch gap between the transmission face and the rear of the bell housing.
I'm thinking the transmission shaft isn't seated into the pilot bushing. Any way to "jiggle" or otherwise coerce these things together....or is this normal?
Should I try to draw things together by seating the engine on the perches first and then drawing up the transmission? Right now, the tranny bolts won't engage the threads.
The engine is "in" the truck but the mounts are 1/2 inch above the perches and it won't seat. Also have about 3/4 inch gap between the transmission face and the rear of the bell housing.
I'm thinking the transmission shaft isn't seated into the pilot bushing. Any way to "jiggle" or otherwise coerce these things together....or is this normal?
Should I try to draw things together by seating the engine on the perches first and then drawing up the transmission? Right now, the tranny bolts won't engage the threads.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
You should never draw a transmission together with FORCE. (not saying you were going to). But aligning/leveling tranny to engine,same tranny to bellhousing gap all around ,THEN a couple of bolts from the tranny to bellhousing and a small amount of pressure on the bolts is proper. With that done a person can turn the engine over via the crank bolt or CAUTIOUSLY bump the starter (coil wire off!!),or jiggle,rock,push,shove the motor or transmission. Any of these (and more not stated) will generally get the shaft in the pilot bearing or the shaft splines aligned in the clutch disc. Also on toughies; a couple of alignment bolt with the heads cut off screwed into the bellhousing FIRST are a great way to assure a straight alignment. gary
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Concur with above^^^^. Do not use the hardware to draw the engine and trans together.
I recommend hand-turning the crank bolt a hair to get it lined up... and remember the trans' input shaft has to mate with the crank centerline at 0°... meaning, aligned!!
You do have an tilting sling, right? Might outta try putting a jack under the bell to get the trans "nose up".
.
I recommend hand-turning the crank bolt a hair to get it lined up... and remember the trans' input shaft has to mate with the crank centerline at 0°... meaning, aligned!!
You do have an tilting sling, right? Might outta try putting a jack under the bell to get the trans "nose up".
.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 898
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From: Chillicothe, IA
It honestly took me about 2 or 3 hours to get my 4 speed and 390 to align and seat together. My engine was hoisted from a stationary point which made alignment very difficult. I wiggled, jiggled, lowered engine, raised engine, lower tranny, raised tranny, turned crank, and eventually a combination of these worked.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
It honestly took me about 2 or 3 hours to get my 4 speed and 390 to align and seat together. My engine was hoisted from a stationary point which made alignment very difficult. I wiggled, jiggled, lowered engine, raised engine, lower tranny, raised tranny, turned crank, and eventually a combination of these worked.
Extra eyes and hands help!
My R&R of the FE in my 70 was a one-man deal. Me! No problem... it wasn't my first rodeo... more like the 25th I figure.
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Good to know. We've been running in the mid-high 90's with high humidity and I just didn't have it in me to do all the finagling at the end of a 7 hour day working on the install. I'm going tonight after the sun goes down and do all the tricks mentioned above.
I will post a reply to let everyone know what worked best and the swear words that were most effective.
I will post a reply to let everyone know what worked best and the swear words that were most effective.
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From: Taxachusetts
We just need to know the ones you've invented to help!
Laughing Gas
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From: mountaintop, Pa
not sure if you've done this but grab 2 grade 5 bolts and chop off the heads, approx 4" long and thread them into the back of block. Use these as alignment rods and then you can wiggle or turn the crank and it will all stayed lined up.. Once everything is good and aligned, unscrew the bolts and put in the bell housing bolts in one at a time...
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Ok, so things went together nicely last night amidst horrific downpours and lightning. Here's what I did:
1) put transmission in gear to allow the engine rotation to align the splines.
2) rotated engine with a breaker bar and socket on the crankshaft; the whole truck moved so this was confirmation that the splines were engaged.
3) drew up the nuts on the perches/engine mount mating surfaces to pull the engine down more in line with the tranny.
4) removed the cross-bolt in the tranny mount to allow free movement
5) pried the rear of the tranny upwards using a piece of wood against the crossmember.
Just a note that the gap between the bell housing and transmission was about 1/2 inch or so after all the alignment and prying and the bolts were tightened gently which drew them together the final amount.
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