Thanks to a couple of local guys with timing tools... Timing going on as we speak!

 

Finally go it. Had a hard time getting it just right.

 

Surprise progress done today!

With the car timed I went ahead and put the timing covers on:


Oil pan and oil return on:


Uh oh! Floating engine!


Hood off, she's anxious:


Get in my belly!


This is really easy:


Wow, that wasn't bad at all. Supported by the pass motor mount and a jack underneath:


Fresh flywheel, new bolts with a little loctite:


Disc in place, pressure plate waiting for bolts:


I've done a few things since and will get pics as soon as I can. AC compressor is bolted up. I'm hoping to have the PS pump on and install the accessory belt soon, too. I'll also gap my plugs and drop them in along with the ignition coils.

Tranny should be in the car by the end of the week. Waiting for some misc. parts from JNZ.

 

Serp belt is on:


Parts are due in Wednesday. I'll definitely be able to get a big chunk done at that time.

 

Good stuff man. I think you should have waited to put the motor in with the trans attached. Makes life a lot easier lol.

 

So I've heard, but I just couldn't wait. I think it'll be okay.

 

Yeah, for real... I had to pump the trans(and bell housing) in, two separate times from the bottom. Granted, I was on a lift and had a tranny jack to my disposal but it was a B!tch... do'able though.


*** Aggie, ever thought about painting your AC fan cover? I'm waiting for the first chance I get but it looks like you have easy access right now.

 

*** Wait, now that I think about it, the driver side motor mount may give you issues... I only know how to mate the bell housing (with the trans) to the motor (with the T-Case split and with only the passenger side motor mount supporting it all) from underneath.

I know you'll figure it out.

 

I got it stabbed on first try with my car on jackstands in my 1 car garage and this was the first time I have done any kind of tranny swap on a car, it's not THAT difficult

 

I'll actually have the luxury of a hoist to help me out, so I'm sure it'll be fine. I've always just done the bench-press method on my back with my RWD cars. This can't be that bad. Even if it's a serious pain in the butt, it's still going on.

My AC fan is actually in really good shape, if you're talking about the shroud. No rust or anything. Wait, I'm thinking about the aux fan on the inside. You mean the one that you can see in the pics? I don't think I need to paint it for any reason.

Have a few good things going on this week that may speed up the process (money-wise). Hoping I'll have tires coming in soon!

 

Hooked up most of my electronics today.


Get in there, tranny!


Installed my plugs and ignition last night. My O2 sensor housing is on with 2 bolts. Coolant expansion tank is technically on, just need bolts. If all goes well tomorrow night, I'll just be needing a handful of hardware, some fluids, and injectors, and a stock ROM to crank her up!

 

Anyone have a set of stock boost lines with the pills?

 

Box of parts out for delivery! Updates tonight, I hope.

 

Wow. So that sucked. I had to call it a night without the tranny in...

I think the plan for next attempt will be to secure the transfer case, because it's giving me trouble, then I'm going to consider lowering the engine down to the ground, stabbing the tranny, and then hoisting it all back into place.

 

Lubed up with all new parts:


New:


Got to this point:


After this, there was much wrestling, lifting, crying, and bleeding. The engine hoist was useful. I got the tranny where it needed to be, but I couldn't get it to stab. The thing is just plain heavy and things just weren't lining up. I pulled the bit motor mount off, which helped a bit, but no dice. When I set it back down I found that I had also knocked off the wave clip. So, kinda glad I didn't get it stabbed. That would have sucked even worse. RWD transmissions are worlds easier. And worlds lighter.