Any one have any tips on mating an engine and tran

[Nick]

I have 3 more to do in the next few days, I was wondering does anybody have any tips on mating them together a little quicker/easier. It always seems to take me forever to get the alignment just right.

I always use the same basic process. Support the engine with the hoist, loosen the motor mounts support the trans with the jack. Use the engine hoist to tilt the engine downward use the transmission jack to tilt the transmission upwards. Fight the alignment issues until I finally get the torque converter to slide into the flex plate, then bolt the TC to the flex plate and lastly bolt the bell housing to the engine.

It took me 2 hours to get one lined up today and while I know it isn’t ideal I finally gave up lined things up as close as I could and hand tightened all of the bell housing bolts and walked the trans all the way up to the engine using the bell housing bolts. I have heard that you can easily pull the torque converter out of the trans doing it this way though.

So my process is usually bolt TC to flex plate and then bolt bell housing to trans.

It doesn’t make sense to me how installing the bell housing bolts first can pull the TC out since I am basically using the bolts to hold alignment and pushing the trans onto the engine.

I also am VERY picky before final install to make sure the TC spins freely no binding, and no wobbly or side to side play.

SO basically just looking for tips to speed up the process. I know sometimes it just takes what it takes but there has to be an easier way. Maybe it doesn’t help that I am 5’10” and 165 lbs soaking wet, so brute force is out since most small car auto transmissions weigh as much or more than me.

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[Walt jr]

I do all of my work by myself so changing engines can be a chore at times, I have never bolted a torque converter to a flex plate before having the bell housing secure, doing so can stress the front transmission seal and cause leaks.
As far as tips I would say that getting the transmission at the highest upward angle to meet the engine block seems to work for me, I also use long bolts and nuts from my gear puller set in the bell housing to act as alignment points, once things are lined up and a couple bolts are started they can be backed off and the nut removed before snugging things up, a long handled pry bar helps to muscle things around as well, just be careful what you are using as a leverage point. Finally, having a good solid hoist with an adjustable engine leveler is an absolute if working by yourself.

[Bluesnut]

I’ve always bolted the bellhousing to the engine block first while using a finger to make sure the converter rotates freely and is not binding.

Sometimes a couple of misc. long bolts with the heads cut off can be used on the lower engine bellhousing mounts. That allows the trans to rest a bit on something solid and acts as a guide for stabbing the trans in place. Insert a few more bolts to hold it in place and then remove the guide bolts followed by adding the original mounting bolts.

[Rick]

It may even sound obvious, but what worked for me was focusing my attention on the gap between the bell housing and the engine and trying to adjust so it is even all around. I’ve also used a ratchet strap to pull the engine and tranny together.

Attachments:

• 37StrapBringTrannyHome.jpg

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