Pita install engine without leveler, tips? Levelers for loan?

[g323]

Kingoftarmac and I spent 4 hours on Saturday trying to install my new m20 without an engine leveler.,,,,, couldn't get the angle right!

any tips? Anyone have an engine leveler wr could borrow for next Sunday?


Thanks. G323

[Jester323]

you aren't still trying to do it with the transmission attached are you? take the tranny off & no load leveler needed.

[blitzed310]

You can rent one at your local auto store for free. What's wrong with installing the trans attached?

[jjgbmw323]

You can rent one at your local auto store for free. What's wrong with installing the trans attached?

You can install with the tranny attached but you just need to get the angle right.

I plan to pull the engine off the tranny for my swap.

[blitzed310]

You can install with the tranny attached but you just need to get the angle right.

Well that's completely new to me, I should try that when I install an engine for the first time, maybe I will get to do that before I die.

[Bimmerknut]

Everyone E21 enthusiast should have to do this at least once in their lifetime.


It's a piece of cake really...just go slow n 'easy


Snug As a bug in a rug!

[bionicbelly]

I did mine once without the tranny and once with. Didn't have a leveler either time. I needed a second person helping both times, and it was a serious pain with the tranny on. Gotta use that lead in your ass. I am looking at marinerfans rigging, and that is not how I did mine. I used the hole in the block above the starter. It kept almost the same slant as it has when it is in the car.

[Jester323]

Keep in mind that he is swapping an M20, which is considerably longer than the M10 when trying to tuck it into the engine bay. I'll keep the tranny attached to an M10 all day long, but it's SO much easier without on the M20.

When I did mine a few weeks back, I didn't use a leveler & also didn't even need to remove the bonnet. Just detach the lower nuts that fix the spring brackets to the inner fenders, place a rag on top of the kidney & gently rest the nose of the bonnet on the kidney & it's open plenty wide to drop an M20 into the engine bay without a leveler from the side.

[blitzed310]

Everyone E21 enthusiast should have to do this at least once in their lifetime.

I think 90% of us have. I also had no issues with the 3 M30/trans installs into E24's as well. If I can avoid resting the trans on my stomach and lifting it I will, it's faster than using a jack IMO.

[dhlthr]

I've done it with and without. I did not think it was that hard with the leveler and car adequately off the ground (more room to swing tranny under car), but if I was not changing the tranny I would do engine only.

[Jester323]

I think 90% of us have. I also had no issues with the 3 M30/trans installs into E24's as well. If I can avoid resting the trans on my stomach and lifting it I will, it's faster than using a jack IMO.

I bench press transmissions and do 12oz curls in lieu of going to the gym so...

[jjgbmw323]

Well that's completely new to me, I should try that when I install an engine for the first time, maybe I will get to do that before I die.

lol.

CJ I know you have swapped all sorts of engines, boy you really are funny!

Keep in mind that he is swapping an M20, which is considerably longer than the M10 when trying to tuck it into the engine bay. I'll keep the tranny attached to an M10 all day long, but it's SO much easier without on the M20.

I got my VR6 in my A2 golf with the use of a sledge hammer - you have to slightly crease the frame on the passenger side,
and the help of two other friends. It had the tranny on as well, and it was a difficult install. A Jack and the engine hoist was involved in the swap. You have to put the car on jack stands, boom the engine up over and in, and then put the jack under the engine to lift it up and to get the engine lined up on the subframe...then lower the jack and finally release the engine hoist.

As for my new M20 engine, I am going to have help, I don't want to do this swap in my driveway on a afternoon.
The local POPO frowned upon it. I no sooner than got the the old 8 valve out, and was covered in oil and the POPO showed up. A neighbor was having a domestic dispute, and called 911, and they got my house by mistake. That still did not stop them from commenting on my swap.

With the BMW not sure Its easier to pull the tranny out with the old engine, or not....since I am keeping the dogleg for now...

[epmedia]

I bench press transmissions and do 12oz curls in lieu of going to the gym so...

lol - I can do 24oz curls.

G323 - were you doing it with, or without the tranny attached ?

[pommeree]

I bench press transmissions and do 12oz curls in lieu of going to the gym so...

Speaking of which, clock says 16:45.
Just 15 Minutes till my next "workout"

[Jester323]

damn it, you just made me thirsty & I'm still at the office.

[clarmstr]

Well that's completely new to me, I should try that when I install an engine for the first time, maybe I will get to do that before I die.

Yet another example of how sarcasm does not always translate well on the Internet.

[blitzed310]

Yet another example of how sarcasm does not always translate well on the Internet.

Or how it just flies over people's head, I could say that with a straight face and it would be the same.

[Kingoftarmac]

G323 overthinks things. We ran out of time and light. We will get it done with a 2nd go. This thread is getting out of hand

[epmedia]

This thread is getting out of hand

We just getting bored while waiting for results... .
You the man, and very generous of you to help G323.

[g323]

It's in! Some tips,

You CANNOT do this with the starter in the car. Nor without an engine leveler.

As soon as you can, put the bolts in as guiders

[epmedia]

CONGRATS!
Have you had a chance to fire it up yet?

[Bimmerknut]

Alright! Nice job! These are a piece of cake with a hoist. The worst one I ever had to do was on an 88 528e I had. It had the 2.7 and was overheating like crazy. A reputable BMW mechanic told me it was a rusted out soft plug BEHIND the flywheel. I had to drop the engine without a hoist. I did it with jacks. I finally got to removing the flywheel and guess what? No soft plug back there. I call the guy, he says hell all the 2.5's have em! I told him it was a 2.7. He said, "OH". So as I had the engine lowered to the garage floor I poured water down the cooling hose...It came trickling out the rear of the head gasket. I was sooooo pissed! Put it all back together after having busted the throttle cable and heater valve when the engine tilted to one side.2 hours after that I had the head gasket replaced. I guess you live and learn. Hoists are a wonderful thing!

[epmedia]

Yet another example of how sarcasm does not always translate well on the Internet.

Sarcasm builds character, my mother taught me that, cause she lerned that from my father, and now my kids have learned it from me . It's all good .

[g323]

Robert,
havent had the chance to start it yet. I need to reconnect the exhaust/starter/spark/gas and it should crank fine. I ran out of daylight! I was so close!

I'm worried about having some exhaust leak issues since the manifold/downpipes gaskets dont look so good. but i can fix that furthur down the road. Right now i just need to make sure that it turns over and get it out of storage. I loose the warehouse at the end of the month.

50$ engine swap so close to complete!

[wayfast]

good to hear you guys got it in.