Popping the engine back in problems...

Popping the engine back in problems...

Author
Discussion

dsl2

Original Poster:

1,475 posts

207 months

Thursday 19th February 2009
quotequote all
Just tried to bolt the engine back in place & I am having a bit of difficulty getting the two long bolts back through the chassis & engine cradle. It looks like the chassis has sprung slightly & the holes are just out of alignment, got the lower one in but the top one goes in at an angle & then fouls on the inside of the engine cradle.

Don't tell me I I should of left the cradle in place & just unbolted the engine from the cradle instead?

Also I have a couple of C section washers that fell out of somewhere when the engine came out, I am guessing they were to take up any slack between the lower section of the engine cradle & chassis mounts?

Thanks.

ctm

137 posts

233 months

Thursday 19th February 2009
quotequote all
is it possible to pull or winch the engine back slightly [from the top} to get the bolt in straight?
leave the head supports off untill last, and engine will tilt and move more easily.
do you have any more space from opposite side your currently trying?
'c washers' not sure!

RobC

967 posts

290 months

Friday 20th February 2009
quotequote all
Do the bolts fit the chassis when the engine isn't in place? just to prove everything is in line. The cradle is normally left on, you could try loosening the cradle bolts to give you a bit of wiggle room. CTM's advice is spot on regarding doing the rears firt.

The "c" washers normally go on the top bolt, they go on the inside of the cradle i.e. they don't go between the cradle and the chassis. As I understand it they stop the cradle from being stressed when the main bolts are done up.

Hope that makes sense, not the easiest thing to explain smile

dsl2

Original Poster:

1,475 posts

207 months

Friday 20th February 2009
quotequote all
Cheers fella's, will try again in the morning with a clear head. Here's hoping it just pops straight in!

dsl2

Original Poster:

1,475 posts

207 months

Saturday 21st February 2009
quotequote all
Rob, your advice was spot on. Leant the engine forward out of the chassis & tried the top cradle bolt in the cradle only & it would not go through! The cradle was badly made from new, looks like when the end bush's were welded into the cradle one of them was put in on the piss & that misaligned the bolt so that it hit the inside of the opposite bush.

Had a brain wave & welded a slightly bent bar to the end of the bolt & by turning that round until it lined up & hammering it through it bent the bolt enough to follow it though, phew!

About an hours more work to do & then I shall see if it starts..........


RobC

967 posts

290 months

Saturday 21st February 2009
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Good to the use of a hammer there biggrin

dsl2

Original Poster:

1,475 posts

207 months

Saturday 21st February 2009
quotequote all
Well it is the Birmingham screwdriver you know!!!!

dsl2

Original Poster:

1,475 posts

207 months

Sunday 22nd February 2009
quotequote all
Phew, it lives!

splitpin

2,740 posts

204 months

Sunday 22nd February 2009
quotequote all
dsl2 said:
Phew, it lives!
Good to hear! biggrin