Possible to install engine + trans at the same time?

Bthurbs · Feb 8, 2022

Hey guys, spent all yesterday trying to get my c4 mounted up to the 351w and it was just not going in.. having issues getting them to line up properly. I am about ready to attempt it again today but i was curious if i took out my rad if there would be enough clearance to throw the engine and trans in at the same time so i could join them together outside the car or if its going to be just as much messing around. Thanks in advance!

7991LXnSHO · Feb 8, 2022

I would not have even thought about not removing the radiator before installing the motor or motor & transmission. It’s too easy to damage and too easy to remove to not pull the radiator first.
I have not tried with a 351/C4. The transmission crossmember is easy to remove if it will help.

evintho · Feb 8, 2022

I've done this a couple of times. When pulling/installing a motor/trans combo in a fox body, I always remove the entire front end (just a few bolts and it's really easy), radiator and I cut out the core support top panel. Then it's basically a straight shot into the engine bay.....trans and all! Once it's all in......a couple of quick beads with a MIG welder seals the core support back up. It makes installing a motor/trans combo into a Fox body, ridiculously easy!

limp · Feb 8, 2022

Remove radiator and jack up the rear of the car as far as your jack will go....

Boostedpimp · Feb 8, 2022

I have pulled and installed engine/trans as one piece a few times. I use a $26 load leveler from harbor freight bolted to the heads with the rear of the car up on jack stands and the front on the ground. You'll need to obviously remove the radiator to even have a chance and may need to remove the lower plastic chin spoiler from the bumper to slide the engine hoist legs in far enough unless you have a crappy 1ton hoist. If you do then it may not extend enough so you'll need to pull the front bumper to have enough room. If you have the 2 ton you should be fine. Take your time and have a friend lower it as you hold the tail shaft of the trans and guide it in being mindful of the radiator support with your oil pan and may want to cover up your fenders and firewall with cloth for protection against scratches etc.

General karthief · Feb 8, 2022

I don't like the cutting of the core support, easy to cut off , not so easy to put back for us regular hobbyist,
I've R & R 'd many engine/trans combos by myself, I place the front wheels on enough wood to clear the hoist legs then jack up the back as high as I can, use 'load leveler' to get additional angle and it will slip in, it's not easy but can be done.
If the engine is in the car now and you are having trouble mating them together that last inch or so you may not have the torque converter seated completely, make sure the trans is in park, spin the converter while gently pushing it in, sometimes you need to pull out a little on the converter and spin pushing back in, once the converter is seated the trans should bolt to the engine without issue and the converter should still turn to line up the holes in the flywheel.
I should mention, make sure the crank shaft flange mates (fits) the flange on the torque converter, converter nose should slid into the crank flange.

HotFox · Feb 8, 2022

I only do this together fully assembled. My setup is engine and TKO. So much easier doing alignment out of car. A yoke in the trans keeps the fluid from leaking our the tailshaft.

General karthief · Feb 8, 2022

Ok, google fu and found this:

Flexplate for C4 and 351W??

I'm trying to figure out what I need to match up my c4 to a '93 351W. I purchased an FM124 torque converter, made sure it's seated all the way back on the output shaft. I measure 7/8" from the surface of the bellhousing to the TQ bolt pads. The flex plate is from the 351W and it was mated to...

classicbroncos.com

If you're using the 351 flex plate it won't work.

Monkeybutt2000 · Feb 8, 2022

Cut the core support out? Seriously? All you need is a leveler like already mentioned...

HotFox · Feb 8, 2022

In my eyes cutting a core support is not a option. My car is a easily 15K car as many on here are seeing around that value. To cut that off and butt weld back on...no thanks.

limp · Feb 8, 2022

Actually you don't even need a leveler... Just position the lift chain correctly, lift the back of the car up to help with the angle, and after you get the engine/tran in close, slide a jack under the transmission to lift it until the front motor mounts set, then install the crossmember....
If this 66 year old man can do it by himself Anyone can...

revhead347 · Feb 10, 2022

I would only do them together. As previously stated, get a load leveler. Sure, you might not need it, but it's in expensive, and makes it so much easier.

Kurt

General karthief · Feb 10, 2022

With an auto it's kinda easy either way, mostly due to the flat oil pan on an auto, also basically you're just lining up the pins on the block to the trans case, the converter gets moved out to the flywheel/crank flange, with a stick the odd shaped case and dealing with the clutch plate and pilot bearing complicate things, I've done both and like I said, with the auto it's a toss up, the stick is definitely less stressful installed as an assembly.
JMO.

Mstng93SSP · Feb 10, 2022

With the back of the car jacked way up high it becomes a pretty straight shot in.

limp · Feb 11, 2022

General karthief said:
With an auto it's kinda easy either way, mostly due to the flat oil pan on an auto, also basically you're just lining up the pins on the block to the trans case, the converter gets moved out to the flywheel/crank flange, with a stick the odd shaped case and dealing with the clutch plate and pilot bearing complicate things, I've done both and like I said, with the auto it's a toss up, the stick is definitely less stressful installed as an assembly.
JMO.

Its been a few years, but I have installed multiple 4 speeds in my past.. I should say WAY in my past.... I could not get my new TKX to go on.. My neighbor came over two different times to help and still it would not go on.. I ended up installing the bellhousing to the transmission and it slipped right on the engine.. Surprised me how easy it was... If any others have a problem you might try this way...

Bthurbs · Feb 12, 2022

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I have my trans in and now im just waiting on my intake to show up. Hopefully have the car up and running in a few days. Ended up picking up a holley sniper kit and im very excited to see how its going to run

Bthurbs · Feb 12, 2022

General karthief said:
Ok, google fu and found this:

Flexplate for C4 and 351W??

I'm trying to figure out what I need to match up my c4 to a '93 351W. I purchased an FM124 torque converter, made sure it's seated all the way back on the output shaft. I measure 7/8" from the surface of the bellhousing to the TQ bolt pads. The flex plate is from the 351W and it was mated to...

classicbroncos.com

If you're using the 351 flex plate it won't work.

Yeah i did research on the flexplate and ended up finding one that will work. Some of the 1972 ford broncos with the 302 used a 157t 28oz balance plate. Got one in for 70$ instead of the super expensive ones online

Possible to install engine + trans at the same time?

Bthurbs

Member

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

evintho

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

Boostedpimp

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

HotFox

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Flexplate for C4 and 351W??

Monkeybutt2000

Mustang Master

HotFox

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

Bthurbs

Member

Bthurbs

Member

Flexplate for C4 and 351W??

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Possible to install engine + trans at the same time?

Member

wanna catch the space herp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Mustang Master

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

You have a nice rear end there Dave.

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

Member

Member

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