ok, I am trying to get the 351w swap done in my 78 f100. the problem I am having is getting the motor mounts to line up in the slots on the frame half of the mounts. I have the driver's side in, but can't seem to get the passenger side lined up. lacking about half an inch. The motor is hitting the tranny(auto tranny) which I think is why the motor mount won't go in the slot. I have tried lowering and raising the tranny a little, with no luck. I am about to the point of taking the tranny out, then putting the motor in, then putting the tranny back in. how hard is it to line up the torque converter studs to the flexplate? I have never worked on a vehicle with studs instead of bolts to fasten the converter to the flexplate, is there any tricks to make this easier?...thanks again, Ben

 

Is the tranny and engine together (bolted up) now? Where are you having the clearance problems, to far forward, back, up, or down?

Usually it just takes a couple of people playing with rocking it back and forth for it drop right in. Lining up the convertor studs and flexplate is not that big of a deal, but it is more work if you don't have it apart already.

A given is to make sure its not hitting something like exhaust or anything else.

Chris

79 F-150 Lariat: Long-bed, 2wd, 460 (intake, headers, cam, early heads), C-6 (shift kit)
79 Mustang: 460 swap under way, balanced rotating assembly, forged pistons, truck rods, c-8 heads ported, Lunati solid lifter cam, more stuff...
98 Chevy Silverado ext. cab 4x4 (work truck)
95 Lexus SC300 (wife's baby)

 

thanks for the reply, chris. The tranny and engine are not together. I left the tranny in the truck when i pulled the 302. the driver's side lined up fine, the pass. side needs to go back about 1/2 inch or so. seems to be hitting the converter or bellhousing on the trans. If I don't get it next time I try, I think I will just take the crossmember down and slide the tranny back, and see if my luck is any better that way....Ben

 

If your still having trouble, loosen the motor mounts to give you some extra play. then tighten them down once its all in place.

 

Did your torque convertor slide out when you pulled the old motor. If it did you should check to see if the bolts are or studs in this case are sticking past the bellhousing of the transmission. If so then the problem is you have to pull the motor ahead and turn the convertor til it slides back into its slotted place in the trans. This will take some playing around and is much easy without the motor in the way.
This I know for I have done the same mistake and had to repull my motor and get the convertor positioned right then it bolted together and I still had to do some playing with my motor mounts to get it in right.

 

...I had to loosen the motor mounts to the block last time I put mine in. I'm sure there's a trick to it.

 

thanks for all the suggestions, everybody. I messed with the motor mounts for awhile, then just unbolted the tranny crossmember bolts, removed the driveshaft, and slid the tranny back a couple of inches,leaving it sitting on the framerail. worked like a champ!! now on to figuring out what to do for an exhaust system....thanks, Ben