I'm planning on dropping the motor into my 69 on monday. This is the first time doing this for me. Any advice or guidance I can get would be great. I'm not sure if I will be able to fit the motor and transmission in together. Also how does the clutch and flywheel attach, and what is the significance of the motor mounts and what should I use? Just a GM motor mount? Right now the shifter is off, but the linkages are attached to the 4 spd. will I have to attach the shifter? I know this is probably a lot to explain but any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Crate 350 in 69 coupe.
- Thread starter patraw03
- Start date
terry82
Well-known member
some people like to come in from the side to take out the motor with the tranny [take off the wheel ]motor and tranny out together and in together.you will see the bolts for the pressure plate .the clutch is held in by the pressure plate.fly wheel is bolted to the back of crank. are your motor mounts good ?reuse them.or you can go to the new poly type.put the shifter back on .after the motor and trans is back in.i would use a engine leveler.
lars
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On a 4-speed, it's a lot easier to attach the tranny to the engine on the floor and to stick it all in the car as an assembly - it goes in quite easy. Be sure to install a new pilot bearing while you have it all out of the car.
Leave the fuel pump off the engine as it tends to hit and interfere with the frame forward crossmember when you're trying to drop the assembly in. As you slide the entire assembly in, put a floor jack under the tranny tailhousing to lift it up over the crossmember as it goes in. You'll need to pull the shifter off to get the tranny to slide over the crossmember - you can get to the attach bolts for re-installation by pulling the console and shifter boot out and installing the bolts from the top - they're almost impossible to reach from the bottom.
Use the stock Vette engine mounts (available from any NAPA store), unless you're putting out a bit of torque, in which case you can upgrade to an aftermarket set of mounts. I like to leave the mounts a little loose on the engine block for installation - this gives me a little "wiggle" in the mounts to make alignment easier. Once the through-bolts have slid in, lift some weight off the engine to allow it to "center itself" and then tighten the mounts to the block - then set the engine back down. This avoids having to fight, tug, and pull on the engine to get the through-bolt holes to line up.
Lars
Leave the fuel pump off the engine as it tends to hit and interfere with the frame forward crossmember when you're trying to drop the assembly in. As you slide the entire assembly in, put a floor jack under the tranny tailhousing to lift it up over the crossmember as it goes in. You'll need to pull the shifter off to get the tranny to slide over the crossmember - you can get to the attach bolts for re-installation by pulling the console and shifter boot out and installing the bolts from the top - they're almost impossible to reach from the bottom.
Use the stock Vette engine mounts (available from any NAPA store), unless you're putting out a bit of torque, in which case you can upgrade to an aftermarket set of mounts. I like to leave the mounts a little loose on the engine block for installation - this gives me a little "wiggle" in the mounts to make alignment easier. Once the through-bolts have slid in, lift some weight off the engine to allow it to "center itself" and then tighten the mounts to the block - then set the engine back down. This avoids having to fight, tug, and pull on the engine to get the through-bolt holes to line up.
Lars
- Thread starter
- #4
One thing is.. It was originally a 427 in the car... Will I have to get an offset motor mount? I know I will already have to replace the Clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel, they are pretty rusted out, unless maybe they can be cleaned out.. I'm looking at the Zoom 3000 series from speedway motors which comes with new pilot bearing, and maybe a light weight fly wheel. .
SVO
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Your post leave me with questions.
" Will I have to get an offset motor mount?"
For motor mounts, you'll need the '69 stock type small block mounts.
" Also how does the clutch and flywheel attach"
You will need to bolt the flywheel to the crankshaft using proper grade flywheel bolts. I'd recommend ARP brand flywheel bolts. Don't use standard grade bolts. The clutch pressure plate bolts to the flywheel, using proper grade pressure plate bolts. Again, I'd recommend ARP brand clutch plate bolts. Don't use standard grade bolts here either.
If you are re-using the stock big block bell housing and starter, you'll need a 11" flywheel and clutch set-up. Flywheel will need to be for a internally balanced 350 motor. Depending on the crate motor you are using, you'll need the flywheel for either a one piece rear seal or for a two piece rear seal. You probably already have all that figured out tho, right?
Good luck with your project.
" Will I have to get an offset motor mount?"
For motor mounts, you'll need the '69 stock type small block mounts.
" Also how does the clutch and flywheel attach"
You will need to bolt the flywheel to the crankshaft using proper grade flywheel bolts. I'd recommend ARP brand flywheel bolts. Don't use standard grade bolts. The clutch pressure plate bolts to the flywheel, using proper grade pressure plate bolts. Again, I'd recommend ARP brand clutch plate bolts. Don't use standard grade bolts here either.
If you are re-using the stock big block bell housing and starter, you'll need a 11" flywheel and clutch set-up. Flywheel will need to be for a internally balanced 350 motor. Depending on the crate motor you are using, you'll need the flywheel for either a one piece rear seal or for a two piece rear seal. You probably already have all that figured out tho, right?
Good luck with your project.
baxsom
Well-known member
That really sucks. Why go from a big block to a small block. Normally the swap is the other way around.
- Thread starter
- #7
I know.. This was bought as a resto car, so I took what he gave me with it. Someday down the road, I'll drop the 427 back in it.
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