Best way to install driveline

[Mike Szadaj]

1968 Coronet - stock 440 - stock 4 speed. What is the best procedure for installing engine and trans without specialty tools (like a trans jack) in the backyard, trans from bottom and engine from top. My thoughts were trans with bell housing attached and driveshaft and then something under the trans to hold it up. Hood off, engine with a leveler and cherry picker from top. Get engine and trans mated, then bolts through bell housing into the block. Then motor mounts. Just pulled 2 motors and put in 1 last month, but that was without messing with the trans, and both were automatics.

 

[miller]

Get engine and trans mated, then bolts through bell housing into the block. Then motor mounts.

Engine/trans together, and drop it in the hole. All three motor mounts, getting the trans crossmember into place, once it's all in. Of course, plan on mounting your shift linkage after.
It will all be heavy, have to deal with it...carefully! You'll also need a way to 'hold' the trans tailshaft up, to get the crossmember in place.

 

[R413]

I like to put trans and bellhousing in first, just sitting on the jack. Back a few inches from where it meets the engine. Lower in the engine on K-frame. Then roll Trans and bellhousing forward to meet engine.

Much easier than all at once. I work alone and this is very easy to do. No paint gets scratched this way. Works great with headers this way as well.

Have the engine totally assembled first, no need to lean over the fender installing parts to the engine.

WORK SMART PEOPLE!