engine and drivetrain engine installation attached to subframe tips needed

[MarkB]

Howdy,

Can folks chime in on a general procedure for installing the engine/tranny while attached to the subframe?

1) Do you install with wheels and struts attached?

-Do you remove wheels? I thought it might be easy to 'roll' the assembly under the car

-remove struts?

2)Do you use a combination engine hoist from the top and jack from the bottom, like in the tranny area?

3)Do you have the tranny bracket installed on the transmission prior to offering it up?

Any other tips / techniques?

Thanks!

Mark

[jimk]

Unless you have the car jacked up high or have a pit, the engine on the subframe will not clear to go under the car.

I laid the engine on the side on a cardboard and slid it under, then hoisted the engine from overhead, slid the subframe under and set the engine on the subframe to the mountss.

Then I hoised the whole thing up and bolted to the rails.

Leave wheels off, but keep strutts on.

I would attach tran to engine before sliding under, save you lots of grief. Engine/tran center of gravity will be back a wayx though.

[pyite20v]

I did it with the car jacked up (doesnt really have to be that high, esp with the wheels off.

I had the struts tied together towards each other with rope, and the engine on a motorcycle lift. It slid right under and I lowered the car slowly while the engine sat low to get the angle correct. Dont forget the steering coupler!

[pyite20v]

I had the transmission and guibo installed but not the trans mount bracket, that was easy enough to get on. I had the headers and exhaust off the engine. Once I got close I had to jack up the transmission to get the engine more level. Its all about alignment getting those subframe bolts to line up, but once they did it was a piece of cake.

[M3M3]

have you searched and found bill williams extensive thread with lots of pictures on how to do this?????

[williamggruff]

Looks a bit like this if you keep the whole shebang connected. Note: your experience may require fewer hunchbacks, more hair, and a more suitable location than a driveway.

[TobyB]

...nice trigger wheel...

t

[MarkB]

Thanks all for your tips. There's some good ideas I can use.

Mark

[BillWilliams]

Per Marshall's post.

Always check the ADMINISTRATION Section. FAQs Under Construction

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,50/page,viewtopic/t,304318/

[MarkB]

Thanks Bill, I did a site search but my search terms didn't come up with anything. this is really usefull.

mark

[MarkB]

Wow, now i can see the utility of one of those motorcycle/ATV jacks I keep seeing.

[MatthewCervi]

Unless you have the car jacked up high or have a pit, the engine on the subframe will not clear to go under the car.

I laid the engine on the side on a cardboard and slid it under, then hoisted the engine from overhead, slid the subframe under and set the engine on the subframe to the mountss.

Then I hoised the whole thing up and bolted to the rails.

Leave wheels off, but keep strutts on.

I would attach tran to engine before sliding under, save you lots of grief. Engine/tran center of gravity will be back a wayx though.

I've used this same method, and it worked pretty well.