I pulled it out from the top, because I already had the heads off. I did this in a tiny narrow garage. What a PITA! Anyway, It was really tough to get the trans separated while walking the motor forward. I unbolted the motor mounts from the block and left the pedestals which didn't help. I'm dreading the reinstall. It was a shortblock when I pulled it out and will be a longblock going in.

My question is: Who has done this with and without the trans and which do you think would be easiest? (M6). Should I leave the MM pedestals or put them in after the motor is in the bay? I already decided to lay the headers in the bay, because it's a little tough to get the car that high. I don't see the intake being an obstruction, but let me know if I'm missing something. Stocking up on beer and bandaids. And yes, I searched. Thanks in advance.

 

You are brave!

 

When I put the motor in my 81 Trans Am I wish I had the trans hooked to it but was too worried about the weight of the big block.

 

It really is not as bad as most people make it sound. I would "not" have the intake on when you do it!! Put a chain on the fromt drivers side head, and the rear passenger side head. Leave only enough slack to get the hoist hook on it. You may have to turn the motor slightly to drop it down. Once you clear the cowl, it should slide right in. With an M-6 you should then bolt the Bellhousing to the motor and then mate the Tranny to the motor. It is important to have the right angle to get the Tranny and motor to mate up!!! You may need to lift the motor to get the right angle. Most importantly you need to have a buddy helping you out, this really is not a one man job. My buddy and I have done about 8 of these in the last year, and we have not encountered too many problems. Take it slow and easy and you should be able to tackle it. Good Luck!!!

 

Leave the intake off and have the trans on the ground under the car. Go ahead and mount flywheel clutch and bell housing on block. Get it in and then stab trans. I've done this 10 times now if u need any help PM me
Nathan

 

Thank you! Exactly the advice I was looking for. How high or at what angle did you have the car jacked for the tranny alignment? Did you have the motor mounts in? I'm not sure how many buddys I'll have left when this is done! LOL!

 

I would say drop the engine in without intake as mentioned, bolt up the motor mounts while you still have the engine hoist for help in lining up the bolts. Once the motor is solidly installed then jack the entire car up & support on jack stands. Reinstall the bell housing & use a tranny jack to get the tranny in. Screw all the tryin to get just the right angle & all that. Plus doin it this way you can install your LT's from the bottom after the motor is already in so they aren't in the way in the engine bay while tryin to get the motor itself & motor mounts re-installed. Just make sure you have a buddy & the right tools. Some people make this job harder on themselves than it really is.

 

I've always pulled from the top becuase.

A) I have no lift
B) Even if I did I would be tying it up from use
C)I didnt feel save with those Ghetto rigs with plywood and used tires....
D) Thats the man's way of doing things!!

You basically take the radiator out, hoses and accessories, disconnect headers and wiring harness, then motor to trans bolts, then motor mount points, a Cherry picker and out she comes, taking the hood off helps or just taking the struts off.

 

My headers are still in the car, motor going in with bell housing and all but no intake. VERY little slack in the chain, almost none. Anymore questions just post up

 

We put Triggers motor in the car, through the top with trans not connected, and it wasn't hard at all. If I remember right, we even had the intake still on. Oh, and we did it in a narrow garage too!

 

Thats how I did mine. I had to take my headers out to get the room needed to wiggle the oilpan clear of the k-member. I did leave the mounts bolted in the engine bay. Good luck.

 

I always have the car on jack stands when putting the engine back in, another thing is to leave the motor mounts out, dont lay the headers in the bay, wait until the engine is almost in and then slide there headers in there, you want to bolt the headers up and get the motor mounts in place and bolted up afterwards. Its really easy, I never do mine from the bottom, its super easy from the top. Ive done it long block, short block, and even a complete engine w/ M6.

 

Thanks again, Guys! I feel a little better about it now. It's still a bad week to quit drinking.

 

Attach the trans to the engine not the other way around and its one heck of a lot easier for one person to do it by themselves. Its a one person job, you dont need two people to do it.

As suggested intake off and then drop it in slowly. You'll have to twist it a little going in but there should be enough slack in the chain to do it.
You can do it by yourself, it's not that hard if you go slowly and dont start rushing and banging things around. A good engine lift helps as well, one that has a slide-able boom instead of a fixed position. Makes it a lot easier. Patience and take it inch by inch and it will go in.
Then you bolt the trans up to the engine. Dont try and stick the engine in and line up the trans at the same time, much easier to do it the other way around.