The motor's in … almost

I picked up the rebuilt motor from G&R on Friday afternoon. With help from friend Paul Austin, a real car guy, we got the motor installed on Saturday, although not actually bolted down. As it happened, I forgot to bring the front engine brace, which attaches mounts to engine. So the motor is in the chassis, but resting on wood blocks for now.

Here's how it went:

First, we noiced that the rear of the transmission seemed to be leaking lubricant where the U-joint bell housing flange mounts to the transmission case. Paul noticed that the face of that flange was not perfectly flat, so after straightening, lightly sanding its face on a belt sander, and making three new gaskets to provide the proper fit, that piece was installed properly. It's little things like this, stuff I wouldn't have noticed, that will make a real difference in things like annoying oil leaks.

Next, the clutch fork/throwout bearing was installed and the tranny bolted to the bell housing while the motor sat on the back of the truck. [Fortunately it was a beautiful day, so this entire operation could take place outside.]

Ken's tractor was used to provide the necessary lift. Here he is, chain in hand:



We rolled the chassis out of the garage, then positioned the tractor so the engine could be dropped in. With the U-joint ball already attached, it's just a matter of sliding that housing onto the drive shaft, getting the fit right and lowering the motor down.



Afterward, I realized I should have bolted the oil pump on before lowering the motor in the frame. I had removed it so the engine would rest on the dolly without stressing the pump. Now it will be a little tricker to install, but no big deal.

While I put in the thermostat and outlet fitting (an operation, like most, that took more time than it should), Paul got the gas line perfectly straight, aligned to the frame and clipped down so it looks the way it should.



While all this was happening, Chris was at work filling and sanding the hood and piece that fits below the rear of the body. Watching him gave me a real sense of how much time and labor is involved in doing this work in a way that will provide a perfect finish! Here he is working on the rear piece:



That was about it for today, as both of us had to leave early. Ken is gone for the coming month on a transcontinental Cord deliver trip, so I'll be chasing down hardware and fittings until I get a chance to work on the car again in March.