I have another thread of my 82 that has turned into a complete rebuild. When I pulled the block out of the truck I had the head off and the oil pan. That made it simple to get too those 2 top bolts. This next week I pick up the items from the machine shop. I will be using an engine stand to assemble the engine. Should I install the engine complete or leave the head off,? If I leave the motor mounts off I think the complete engine can be low enough in the frame to mate up with the bell housing, then bolt it up, raise it up and install the mounts. Which way have you do it? Head on, head off, or engine complete except for the manifolds?
Thanks
Mike

 

I installed a complete engine into the engine bay with the engine mounts on, with a strap under the tranny and it matched up nicely. Started the bottom bell housing bolts, snugged them to get tension, using a long extension and ratchet with a universal joint/ socket and installed the top bolts from the bottom. Torqued a bolts, let engine down aligning the mount bolts, installed and torqued. JMHE

 

This works very well. If you can't get them started by hand put a round or two of tape on the ujoint to keep it from flopping over, or get a helper who can get there hand in there.

 

I like the complete engine idea best as less chance of getting crap were it doesn't belong. Did you have both manifolds on or off? Motor mounts on I take it.

 

Sorry just skipped right over that part.

You want everything you can possibly do to it on the stand done, except maybe the AC compressor because hopefully if you have one you left that system sealed and the compressor tied up to the side of the engine bay. Things go much faster and easier when you don't have the rest of the vehicle in the way in almost all instances, sometimes you might think "this would be easier if the engine wasnt moving so easy" but it's nothing you can't work around (like bracing the stand with a friend, or attaching the engine crane as well).

Motor mounts on for sure..

Raise the front of the transmission with a floor jack until it touches the firewall.

Lower the engine in and use your engine leveler (worth every penny!) To match the angle of the transmission so the rear of engine is parallel with the front of the transmission. It should slide right in with just a bit of tweaking of the crane, floor jack and leveler. Once the alignment dowels are seated put a few bolts into the bellhousing to secure it.

Remove the floor jack and the crane should be able to drop the upper engine mounts right onto the lower half of the engine mounts.

 

One last question. In going through the videos on YouTube I see where a lot of folks don't use an engine stand. All the big engines I built in the past I used a stand. But this engine is light in comparison. I still think it being light that a stand is the best way to accomplish assembly. Beats wrestling it around. Opinions please.
Thanks
Mike

 

I used a stand in assembling my engine. I went for the safety factor. If you don’t have one, rent one if possible

 

Thanks. Yes safety is a big one too. Plus the ease of moving it. I'm picking one up on Tuesday as the machine shop should be done Wednesday.