Motor install experiences/advice ?

[zodiacblueS]

So I'm about ready to install the reworked BB in my S and am looking for the wise men again. I would like to install the AC compressor with its multiple brackets and maybe the starter too before I hoist the motor in. The fan, shroud, and radiator are all out, and I could probably have a picnic in the space at the front of the engine compartment. I have seen a few installs here (442much-Ken's for one) where all the accessories were in place. The lift plate will mean the carb is off (no big deal) and I plan on leaving the HEI off also because its really tight to the firewall, and wouldn't take much to smack it while wrestling the block around. Tranny is still in place. My neighbor says leave it all off, but he won't have to wrestle it in after the fact. What do you think?? Thanks again.
Oh, by the way, my sweet wife and a neighbor lady both have informed me the blue colors dont match. :eek:

[Hurstman]

Lookin good.

[Hurstolds1973]

NIce! Since you have the front fenders on, I personally would leave as much off as possible. Having just installed my motor early this summer with fenders off, I had a whale of a time clearing the hei at the firewall while lining it up. Some of you guys that do it all the time may be able to doit easier then I did.
The blue color are not suppose to match.....LOL

[zodiacblue442]

Looks really good Lem! Nice job! I've mentioned before instead of a wise man I'm a wise guy! :D I'll give you my .02 anyway. I have never installed an engine with all the accessories on, and my brother, dad, and I have done several. It is plenty tight positioning the engine in place without having to worry about banging the accessories off of something. Because of the added width, 455's are harder to install than 350's. Yeah I know that engine compartment looks nice and roomy, but once that engine is going in, the room gets swallowed up in a hurry. We install the engine and tranny as a unit, but leave the starter off, alternator and air cond. compressor and brackets off, all pulleys and the fan off, and the distributor out. It's not too difficult to put the stuff on after the engine is nestled in place. I agree it's not fun working on your back putting in a starter, but like I said with the accessories off, it's just less to worry about. Just my .02. Good luck with the installation and keep us posted. :)

[atlantic73]

I agree with Gary leave the accessories off. If you car has AC the bolts for the trans to the motor on the pass side will be a pain to get in. I pulled a 350 with out the trans and it was a pain, I just putt a 455/ in my car w/o AC and wasn't to bad just a long reach from the front of the car if I done it again I would take it out over the side of the car. Make sure all your wire harnes on the firewall is not hanging and watch the trans lines they dont hook up on something.

If I had the room I would do it with the trans attached to the motor just make sure you have someone guide the transmission and the car is jacked up enough.

Leo

[msco123]

Oh, by the way, my sweet wife and a neighbor lady both have informed me the blue colors dont match. :eek:[/QUOTE]

Ha! That sounds like something my wife would say. Of course she is cajun and, thus, has a tendency to speak before she thinks which sure has provided us with a lot of humorous moments. Oh, and your car looks great!!!

[zodiacblueS]

MSCO, I went with a cajun gal twenty years ago. Getting cussed out in French is a whole 'nother deal. "Voulex bon temps rouler". :D

[Tuffnut]

does anyone have any pics of their engine hoist and attachments to the engine .... I want to get some ideas on what to use and where, when I pull my 455 out this fall.

Thanks
Jeff

[zodiacblueS]

I bought a manifold hoist plate for $30.00 at J*gs. Easy attach and easy manuver. Chains work, but this is sure slick! Good luck!
Plate:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Moroso/710/62670/10002/-1

442much has some great pics of his install at this thread. He used different attachment plates, but they are slick!
http://www.73-77olds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5807&highlight=stall

[twistedcutlass]

i need to get me an engine plate......but i'll source mine locally....its a little cheaper...
your motor looks great, i'd like to see it sometime in person

[Hurstolds1973]

I didnt even think about a plate. Not sure how it would hold up with the tranny on too.
This is how I did it....

[zodiacblueS]

That leveling arm had to be a big help. Those are nice. The bolts on my plate were grade 8. I figure the tensile strength was about 100k pounds for the four combined. If the plate and chain would hold, I could pick up my house. :p

[1977 Cutly]

I used a carb plate and pulled the motor and trans as a single unit. Patience was the key, wiggle it til it fits.

[ebayalias]

There is a cast opening in the back of the engine by the distributor that a hook will go through. I ran a chain off that to a bolt in the drivers head at the front. The engine came out and went in ok, but I had no control of the angle. The more sophisticated me would use a load leveler now.

[MrRocket]

There is a cast opening in the back of the engine by the distributor that a hook will go through. I ran a chain off that to a bolt in the drivers head at the front. The engine came out and went in ok, but I had no control of the angle. The more sophisticated me would use a load leveler now.

That cast opening in the back is what they used at the factory to lift the engines. A hook in the opening and another through the strap on the opposite corner of the manifold up front.

[Tuffnut]

Great posts guys, thanks.
I like the idea about the engine plate...
As you can tell, this will be my first attempt. I will be removing the 455 and tranny out of my parts car, so disassembly doesn't matter much to me.
What is required for the motor reinstall on my good car as far as front end and fenders. I like the idea of both together (motor & tranny), but more car parts made need to be taken off.
I know I should remove as much as possible, but is it necessary?
Damage is also a possibility.

Any thoughts?

Jeff

[zodiacblueS]

I'm really glad I listened to you guys about the bolt on accessories. The space got really small in a hurry. I definitely couldn't have done it with the AC, starter,etc. installed. Thanks for the advice. A couple of weeks of misc. bolt-ons and wiring and hoses and such and I should be able to light it up. I cannot wait! I need to drive! :D

[MrRocket]

It looks really good setting down in there! Congratulations! I remember the first time I turned the key and the engine cranked over...I giggled like a 3rd grade school girl!

[zodiacblue442]

I'm really glad I listened to you guys about the bolt on accessories. The space got really small in a hurry. I definitely couldn't have done it with the AC, starter,etc. installed. Thanks for the advice. A couple of weeks of misc. bolt-ons and wiring and hoses and such and I should be able to light it up. I cannot wait! I need to drive! :D

Lookin' good! :cool:

[W451973]

Looks good. Should'nt be too much longer before she's running.

[Atownsend]

I agree the engine looks great! Will have to post some of mine from this summer.

As for the install, I had the front core support off... Having pulled the olds 350 out with the transmission still attached was a bear even with the hood off.
I pulled the core support off to clean it up with media blasting, some welding, and decided it would be a lot easier to leave off until I can slide the drive train in. Still even with the core support out, having to finess the bb and tranny in, getting the trany over the crossover and engine mounts on on to the sadles... Thank God for pry bars!

Leave the acessories off, least of your pains...