Installing a motor

[NCarolinaSailor]

So I managed to get the thing out and am installing a new motor but cant seem to get it back in. First the inspection cover couldn't be removed because the exhaust and the 4wd axle caged it in so it wouldnt come out until the motor did. I finally just decided to leave it out and pull the exhaust just to get the thing back on because it was totally in the way. Anyways...

I can't seem to figure out how to bring it in low enough to engage the transmission but high enough for to get over the motor mounts. Does anyone have experience with this as I have been working at it all day with no luck?

 

[lesterl]

How about pulling the trans and dropping them both in as a unit? Thats how I did my last motor swap (didnt help that the engine had been locked up).....


Either that or run a jack up under the front of the trans to bring it higher or something.

 

[clkelley]

I agree with lester, whenever possible it is much easier to pull the engine and tranny as a unit, but I also agree with him about putting a jack under the tranny to raise it a little to see if that helps.

 

[NCarolinaSailor]

Yeah, the real trouble seems to be getting it over the motor mounts but with enough play to align it with the tranny

 

[NCarolinaSailor]

So I decided I just had to have a load leveler to get this done. 40 Bucks at Harbor Freight did the trick. I got it back enough to throw on a couple bellhousing bolts and pull the trans and motor together then lifting it over the motor mounts wasn't too complicated well on to more problems!

 

[clkelley]

Congrats! Yeah, the levelers make a huge difference! I have one questions though, WHERE are the pics? You know we are addicted to pics around here.....

 

[lesterl]

I have a 25k Lb ratchet strap I use as a load levler......