The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Install 261 engine with SM420 attached ?

I have to believe this has been asked.........I have a 261 to be installed in a 1947 AD 3800. Has anyone had success in drifting the engine and transmission into the frame bolted together? Front inner and fenders are off. Something tells me I may run into a clearance problem. Cab is bolted to frame. Thanks - Joe

Hy amtrakjoe, if I am remembering correctly the transmission will not fit over the crossmember from the front of the truck, so I'm afraid it will have to be installed after the engine is in place, hope that helps.

The engine/trans assembly might fit if the top cover of the trans is removed. It would probably be simpler to use an engine hoist through a door opening or a long 4X4 post across the window sills and a come-along to lift the trans into place after the bellhousing motor mounts are in place.
Jerry

Thanks guys - great idea accessing through the doors. I'm using a fork truck with fork extensions. I can butt them against each other and pick up Mr. 420 and set it right in place.

I tend to think long and hard working alone. I've trained the dog to dial 911 - Off we go.

Joe

420's are light enough be picked up with the gearshift lever, or, with the top cover removed, with a suitable harness, if one is sitting in the seat. Leave it in high gear to get the clutch splines engaged

Ed

Use two headless bolts (alignment "guide pins") screwed into the clutch housing to assure a "straight-in" installation of the SM420.

Joey,
I tried, it doesn't work!
Jim

If you have a buddy pushing behind the trans. while turning the trans. output shaft, it helps. Did you insert a spare input shaft or a fake plastic one from parts store before you tried the trans? That can help resolve issues with the trans. one cannot see.

After doing this exercise a dozen or do times, it will become second nature.

Ed

Ed......a dozen or more times.......Looks like I will guilt someone into pushing while I line it all up. I already aligned the clutch with a plastic "fake input shaft". I should be good.

they drop right in if you have the cab off

Yes I know about the cab. But my schedule didnt work out that way......but look at it this way - 4 bolts on the cab, 4 bolts on the SM420. The transmission is easier !!!!

Engine hoist thru passenger door does wonders. I slid my sm420 under the truck, hooked the chains up to it and then the engine hoist. Raise and insert.

The shop manual (as I read it) said to pull the engine with the transmission attached so that's what I did. Not a good idea.
Pulling Engine/Tranny.

This was only made possible because the radiator frame had been cut (a 2nd time, actually) and not rewelded. I could remove the radiator and frame. That was commonly done in the old days I was told by an old-time mechanic.
Radiator Support Cuts.

I installed the engine alone. For the transmission I use a neat lift which had pitch/yaw/roll adjustments. Piece of cake.

So - the engine went in fine. But - I forgot the throwout bearing. The transmission went in fine.......again. Almost forgot the clutch fork, but I have read that can go in later, but its horribly difficult. all bolted up front to back. I should start it some time this week.

Congrats on making progress!

So, what method did you use to get the trans in?

Mike B

Mike - I set the transmission on a floor jack. We jacked it level and slid it forward. Lesson learned - had to put in gear - no problem, shifter was 2 feet away. Its up and in. shifter fork installed as well.