sm465 engine swap what did i do wrong?!

[dmartin1]

ok so i just did a engine swap on my 82 stepside. when i pulled the old motor, i unbolted the tranny from the bellhousing and removed the bellhousing clutch etc still on back of the old engine.

i swapped it onto the new engine and after some clean up tried to install it.
i had the clutch, throuwout bearing etc all lined up,
and this was the WORSE experience ive had putting an engine in ever. it took me 2 days of struggling with 3-5 other guys to get it in.it was nearly impossible to get to suck up to the engine.
we got it about 1 inch away and got threads on the bolts and my dad pulled the tranny forward as i lifted the engine and wiggled it every way then tightened the bolts more and repeat.
eventually got it. but WHAT THE HELL?
we struggled with the cherry picker, 2 floor jacks and like 3 pry bars.very confusing guessing game on what to lower and higher etc

was i supposed to pull the engine WITHOUT the bellhousing? surely this wasnt the right way, but it worked lol,now i have to tough up the paint on my engine mounts etc

[xrcr]

This is a guess, were the pilot shaft bushings in the end of the 2 cranks the same?

[dmartin1]

Hmm actually im not sure. It eventually all went in so I hope hahaha.I didn't know there we different sizes. Oh boy
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[rs72z]

They should be the same size.
I allways leave the bellhousing on the trans. When reinstalling the engine leave the trans in gear and jack up the rearend just enough to clear the tires so you can rotate the input shaft to get the splines engaged. Then if you have the clutch aligned properly all you need to do is have the angle of the dangle right and it should slide right into the pilot bushing.
Easy

[Dsquared]

usually have to take a file to the pilot bearing after it installed in the crank.

[Zebb]

Originally Posted by Dsquared

usually have to take a file to the pilot bearing after it installed in the crank.

I've never heard of having to do that. I would think that if you damaged a pilot bearing enough to have to file it after you installed it then you should take it out and replace it again.

[bilfman]

Sure sounds like a pilot bearing, if the clutch was aligned. There are different sizes of these.

[Dsquared]

Originally Posted by Zebb

I've never heard of having to do that. I would think that if you damaged a pilot bearing enough to have to file it after you installed it then you should take it out and replace it again.

teah.... i wasn't talking about beating the hell out of it. most of the time you have to take a round file and clean up the leading edge of the hole. not everyone has all the fancy tools. i use a piece of brass to knock mine in with.

[UPNADM]

Just went through the same hell last night. Struggled with lining up the engine for hours. My neighbor stopped in to bring back a tool he borrowed, wiggled the engine and popped right in.

It was nice to have it done, but a real pisser that I spent hours trying to get it lined up.

I had to buy him a beer... ha!

[Zebb]

Dsquared...I didn't mean to imply that you just beat them in there. I meant it to anybody. They should fit in the end of the crank without unreasonable force but it is possible to mess one up. If you use the roller bearing type there is no fixing that if it gets mashed and should be replaced. On the bushing type I use just a little STP to help things slide together. No special tools required either, just a socket and a small hammer will put them right in.

I suspect that the OP issue was the weight of a sm465 and getting the angle just right.

[86c20]

always leve the bell housing on the trans and make damn sure when you put the clutch on the flywheel you lift it up a bit to make sure it is center. this goes for the plastic tools. that is what i have done on the last 3 and it has droped right in

[Trevman]

Ive done a few, some real easy, some a total pain in the arse...just depends. Remember, the great thing about chevy is everything bolts to everything, the bad thing is it doesnt always bolt together easy. Trev

[bowtiemanchevyman]

The easiest way to do it is to move the tranny back and get the motor set and then move the tranny to the motor. Makes thing so much easier, I’ve done so many of these and help a lot of friend do there’s after they can’t do it.

[ghettoluxury]

I went through this on my crew cab. I ended up using all-thread and nuts, cranking on them side to side until it was close enough together to bolt it up.