Engine install help
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 124
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Engine install help
Hello all, I have moved to Topeka about 7 months ago and have a 74 F250 that I finally have the room to tinker on. My wife helped me pull the motor out of the truck back in October, and I'm now ready to re-install. However, this the first time I have done this, and I am leery about getting it back in correctly. I'm also a little worried that my wife and I will not be able to get it lined up with the tranny, bolted in, etc, without killing one of us. She's a good sport for helping me so far.
Wondered if anyone knew of someone in the Topeka area who could provide some help/advise with my install. Don't really know anyone in the area yet who is mechanically inclined, and it looks like my brother-in-law from Iowa will not be able to come down to help. With the weather finally turning warmer, I would like to get it back in within the next several weeks.
Thanks
Chris
Wondered if anyone knew of someone in the Topeka area who could provide some help/advise with my install. Don't really know anyone in the area yet who is mechanically inclined, and it looks like my brother-in-law from Iowa will not be able to come down to help. With the weather finally turning warmer, I would like to get it back in within the next several weeks.
Thanks
Chris
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Topeka, Ks.
Chris, Where are you located at in Topeka? I work there at Resers fine Foods. It is the new plant on 6th street. I spend a lot of time there at work and in Topeka. I can be of some assistance. Tell us what you have for equipment and tools and maybe myself and a few others could give ya a hand!!
You a Ks. chapter member yet?
Let me know!
Mark
You a Ks. chapter member yet?
Let me know!
Mark
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 124
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Mark, thanks for the quick reply and offer of assistance. I live in SE Topeka off of California and 43rd. I work at Payless next door to Resers, so I'm not that far from it.
I basically have all of the tools I need, except for an engine hoist, which I rented when I took the engine out. I'm thinking of trying to install it in the next few weekends if the weather keeps improving. Let me know if you would like to stop by and check it out before you commit to anything, just in case it's a bigger job than you anticipate.
Thanks again
Chris
I basically have all of the tools I need, except for an engine hoist, which I rented when I took the engine out. I'm thinking of trying to install it in the next few weekends if the weather keeps improving. Let me know if you would like to stop by and check it out before you commit to anything, just in case it's a bigger job than you anticipate.
Thanks again
Chris
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,555
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From: Manhattan, KS
I live in Manhattan and could maybe lend a hand also. If the '74 is a 4x4 you'll have to come and play in the rocks at Tuttle Creek with us though. Several of us could make a mini gathering of helping you.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
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Posting Guru
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From: Topeka, Ks.
Sorry I haven't responded. I have been sick.
I will try to get in touch with you this week.
Mark
I will try to get in touch with you this week.
Mark
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I plan on renting the engine hoist and installing the engine this Saturday or Sunday, depending if it rains Saturday. My main worry is getting the engine lined back up with the tranny. Do any of you know some tricks to make this go as easy as possible, or things I need to be aware of? I haven't done this before, but I assume getting the 4 bolts on the torque converter to line up with the flexplate and have that mate up in the center may be the biggest issue. If those line up, then is it just getting the engine to mate flat against the tranny housing and down into the engine mounts?
Thanks
Chris
Thanks
Chris
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Topeka, Ks.
Yes, the ideas you have are correct. Stabbing an auto tranny is a lot easier than a standard. So you are in luck on that. The main thing is that you don't want to be too forceful. It is very tempting to try to use your bellhousing bolts to pull the tranny to the motor. When they are right, it will slide right together. Have you removed your torque converter? If so, you will need to make sure that the torque converter is installed into the pump correctly first. Otherwise it will not go together all the way then you are tempted to try to pull the 2 together. Even if your torque converter has slide forward, it could be out of the pump. I have found that is easier to use a couple, maybe even 4 bolts with the heads cut off, screwed into the engine block as guides to get you close to where it needs to be.
What shift are you working? I get off at around 4pm. I could maybe swing by and take a look. I have to work this weekend though.
Let me know.
Mark
What shift are you working? I get off at around 4pm. I could maybe swing by and take a look. I have to work this weekend though.
Let me know.
Mark
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I have not removed the torque converter, it is still in the bell housing. That is a good suggestion on using headless bolts to help guide the engine to the tranny.
I'm usually home by 5:30 each weekday, so feel free to stop by and take a look if you get a chance.
I'm usually home by 5:30 each weekday, so feel free to stop by and take a look if you get a chance.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Overland Park, Kansas
If I might make a suggestion to make things go a lot easier! I have done 6 installs, and I have found that installing the engine with the tranny already bolted to it simplifies the install. Once the two are bolted together. then you lift the two on a engine hoist with the tranny and engine at a 30º angle. Then jack the front end of truck as high as you can and still get the drive train over the grill. With some assistance two or 3 people can guide the engine onto the 3 engine mounts. If you need more details you can contact me.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Progress report...my wife and I somewhat successfully installed the old engine last weekend. The only problem is getting it started. Having some difficulty figuring out the way the old starter & solenoid was wired, since it doesn't seem to be correct. I have replaced the starter with a reman that looks just like my old one, and is the one that is called for at the parts store.
There were two wires initially going to the old starter, so I tried to wire the new starter the same way. I get the engine to crank, but it's cranking the wrong way (as you stand in front, it's cranking clockwise).
Anyone with ideas what would cause that? I also installed a new ignition coil before putting the engine back in. Let me know if you have any ideas, suggestions, questions. I'm running out of ideas.
There were two wires initially going to the old starter, so I tried to wire the new starter the same way. I get the engine to crank, but it's cranking the wrong way (as you stand in front, it's cranking clockwise).
Anyone with ideas what would cause that? I also installed a new ignition coil before putting the engine back in. Let me know if you have any ideas, suggestions, questions. I'm running out of ideas.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20,796
Likes: 231
From: Newton America :-P
A big wire should go from the battery to the solinoid and then from the solinoid to the starter, with a small wire going to the top posts on the solinoid. Do you have a digital camera? If so post some pickas and we can help figure out what's wrong?