Update time! A lot has been going on in the last few weeks, and I'm super excited to be making progress.

I got my new AEM adjustable cam gears and got them all set up. That timing tool really makes it a lot easier to hold everything in place; I wish I'd had it last year when I did the timing belt. Also, I realized after this photo was taken that I had the crank reluctor wheel thing on wrong and have since fixed that so everything is lined up accurately.


I'm still loving how this valve cover looks.


Spark plugs and COP setup installed.


Of course, new shiny cam cover.


Finally got my AMS fuel rail and FIC1200's installed. It's the little things like the rail and COP mounting plate being powdercoated the same color that make a difference to me.



All has not been work work work and no play. On the 20th, I got to do an Xtreme Driving Xperience day at the local track, and lemme tell ya! That Huracan is an absolute BLAST to drive! I was giggling the entire time I was ripping it around the track.



The following day, on the 21st, I ran in my 2nd Tough Mudder 5K. Had a great time doing that as well, and have already registered for the race next year. What a mess!




Enough of my shenanigans; back to the shop! I finally had the engine built enough to get it off the engine stand and back onto the cherry picker, not-so-patiently awaiting the day when my transmission and transfer case get shipped back to me.


Timing components all set. I've double checked all this multiple times, and I'm sure I'll double check it multiple times again before getting the engine in the car, because I'm paranoid about all of this. Also, that harmonic balancer was quite a challenge for me to get pressed on all the way (I have no access to a press, so a block of wood and lots of hammer swinging took place).


Alas, the new Exedy twin-disk clutch was ready to go on! It was only after I had gotten it put on that I had a blond moment and realized that the starter plate goes on first..... *head desk* So, it got taken back off and the starter plate was installed, and the clutch was re-installed after this photo was taken.


AND NOW!! What I've been waiting for for a little too long! My transmission and transfer case finally showed back up on the 26th! I was giddy and the delivery driver was almost certainly laughing at me as I squealed while tearing in to the box and wrapping. There's a Wavetrac LSD hiding in that transfer case, and I'm stoked to drive the car.




It's all so shiny and new! Unlike the engine bay and lower suspension components of the car. So I've spent plenty of time scrubbing things clean. The only downside to the shop that I've been working in is that it was zero access to running water, so pushing the car out into the driveway and using a pressurewasher to help clean things was out of the picture. Thankfully, Simple Green and Tub-o-Towels work wonders for cleaning stuff.
Before:


During:



After: (the other part of the LCA will get cleaned when I tackle the brakes; I didn't feel like moving a whole bunch of stuff I have on that side of the car right now)


The transmission shop had sent me back a box of miscellaneous hardware that goes on the transmission, and I got to spend most of an entire day figuring out where it all goes. I've got a few other bits to place, but I'm like 95% of the way done with getting it all put back together.


Needless to say, it's been an eventful few weeks, and even with all the progress that has happened, I still have a long ways to go. Slow and steady wins the race (in this case)!

 

That looks awesome! Do you plan to bolt the engine and transmission together before dropping then into the car? Great job on the cleaning of the control arms. It does look a lot better and it will make a difference in the future. I am glad you went with the wavetrac LSD for your transfer case. I have no experience with it so i'm looking forward to hearing how it does compared to stock. As in, is it just stronger or also makes the car handle differently. Your strength and ambition to get the project done shows.

 

Good choice with the ATI damper but it is a giant PITA to install as well as remove. the best way to press on the hub portion is to use a damper installer tool which basically threads into the crank then you use a nut to press it on. Much safer than wacking with happer or using the crank bolt to pull it on.

Just curious, is there a reason you left your lower timing cover off the motor? Bc you should really put that back on to keep crap outa there!

Otherwise great update and keep up the good work!

 

Yep, I plan to bolt the engine and transmission together before putting it in the bay. Transfer case in first and held off to the side while the motor/trans combo drops in, then I'll bolt it all together as one giant piece FINALLY. There's still a TON to do, so I can't stop now!

Hm, yeah, I didn't even think about a damper installer tool. Noted for the future, for sure!
I left the lower timing cover off because with that ATI damper, the lower cover just does not fit. I'm trying to figure out a way to trim the lower cover to get it to fit as best I can while still being able to cover as much as I'm able to, but it's a trick. I'll try to take some photos of it when I get to the shop later. Unless someone out there with more experience than me has any tips on everything fitting lol. #newb

 

Was hoping I could find a pic when I trimmed mine but seems I didnt snap a photo. I get to pull my motor again so if you want a few weeks Ill snap some closeups. But did find this pic so proof that it can be done

Off memory, its pretty easy honestly. Where you would slip the crank pulley in, there is a lip that goes around the circumference of the hole. Trim, down that lip until it is flush with the cover. There is also a little nub that sticks out which you can see in my pic in around the 3'oclock position. That needs some material removed to fit the acc belt. I also had to trim mine bc I have an ER underdrive oil pump gear in the bottom corner. But all in all it can be made to fit with minimal work so get it back on there. That being said have fun removing the damper assembly. I still havent figured out the best way to remove that. I've had to remove a few times now and basically end up with a pry bar and the trick is to pry carefully. Keyword carefully bc I was impatient last time I did it and cracked my cover. So yeah be careful removing it, lol!

 

I pm'ed you with some questions. Definitely makes me rethink how I was gonna go about it.

 

Thanks to @heel2toe for the pointers on the lower timing cover. I have since gotten it trimmed so it'll fit around the new damper. I still have to trim the little knob thing on the right side to have clearance for the serpentine belt, so that's why the damper hardware isn't installed in this photo. Little progress is still progress!

Also, one little hiccup I'm having is getting all of the timing cover bolt holes to line up. I can get all the lower ones lined up and the bolts put in, but then the ones by the water pump and the two at the top don't line up at all. What dumb thing am I overlooking? lol.

 

If the cover is fully seated as it should then it should line up. Have you snugged down the bolts that you got in already? I get every bolt started but keep it loose until they are all threaded in and then snug down. The two head tins are bolted to the head with 2 bolts so there is a small chance those are up too far so you could try loosening those up as well but I doubt thats your issue since you cant get either side and the bolt on the water pump. Guessing you just snugged the others down and shouldnt have already.

 

Cool rebuild, love seeing these getting cleaned back up.

You should feel zero discernible difference in the wavetrac vs OEM. Any stated difference between them is worn down/off nearly immediately and the rest is marketing. Its just stronger, that's all. And unless you're a track rat, its all you need.

 

Thanks! She's been getting the royal treatment lately. I'm definitely not a track rat, but I wasn't about to have the transfer case be a weak point after the rest of the work I've done with it lol.

 

The transmission and the transfer case are looking great. I like the silver metallic look. Was the rebuild done through Sheptrans?

May want to run with the lower timing cover off just to check for leaks on startup.

 

The trans and tcase rebuild were done through Jack's Transmission. The only complaint I'd have with running with the lower cover off for the initial start-up would be getting that damper back off in order to reinstall the lower cover after making sure there's no leaks. It was tricky enough to get it off with the engine on the cherry picker like it is; I imagine it'll be significantly harder with the engine installed in the car.

 

Yesterday felt like a huge success!



I had a small hold-up with the clutch fork springs and seals, but I finally got the new seals (little felt washer things.. ugh lol) and got them along with the springs installed. Clutch fork now works as I expect it to. Got the engine and transmission mated together, and got my starter bolted up! I still have a few things to finalize on the timing/accessories side of things, but that is my goal for today. This week looks to be a pretty big one as far as making progress, so I'm hoping to have some good updates by the weekend!

 

No pictures to accompany the update today, but an update nonetheless.

I've been plagued by little issues of my own making the last few weeks, and I'm beating my head against a wall as I sort them out. After the last update, I had managed to get the engine in and bolted down, only to struggle to get the transfer case in place. So, back out the engine came in order to bolt the transfer case to the transmission before dropping it back in. It's snug, but it definitely fits with the accessories taken off. Got it all bolted back together, to then discover I didn't pay attention to the starter/battery cable wiring harness, and it had gotten routed all dumb and managed to get pinched between the transfer case and oil pan. *HEAD DESK* Back out the engine came, again, to undo all that and get the wiring out of the way. Then I had issues with getting the rear engine mount to actually line up so I could bolt it in. After some digging, I found out that I had managed to bolt the rear mount bracket to the transmission upside down. So now I get to yank the motor back out of the way... AGAIN... in order to sort that out today after work. Needless to say, I've gotten more practice at removal/installation of this engine than I ever anticipated. But! With this latest issue smoothed out, I should be set to finally get her all bolted down and start tackling the wiring and plumbing. I've still got my fingers crossed for a start-up the weekend following Halloween, but we'll see how that goes.

The Evo has officially been down 5 months, and I'm beyond antsy and nervous to get her back on the road.

 

I feel some of your pains, those things really like to go in a certain way. There are some things that can help though.

You should be able to pull the bracket off the tran (rear motor mount) in the car unless you didnt remove the part with the two rubber ends. But thats one bolt and comes out without too much drama as long as you use a wobbly (universal joint) and long extension.

The t-case is fun to put in with the engine/trans mounted (/sarcasm). I put a ratchet strap on a bolt hole from the trans bell housing and pull the whole thing forward till the wg just about hits the radiator. Then lots of muscle and grunting.