Bah! It doesn't quite fit! - WELL IT DOES NOW!

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:46 pm

So finally got the engine and box bolted together, and even tried fitting it yesterday, only about a year over due! Looked rather good once it was together, but I shouldn't have touched the clutch pushrod as the bloody lever came off the mount, so had to do it all over again lol! Can get the box off, and back on again in about 15mins now hehe, good practice I suppose.

The problem is, I'm running a Group A sump which won't clear the chassis rails using the standard(ish) methods of sticking an RV8 into an MG. So, I now have to take the box off, fit the engine, and try and get the gearbox on from under the bloody car . . . which should be fun!

I do admit to having a very big silly grin on my face for most of yesterday, the end of the long dark tunnel is almost in view!

ppyvabw · Post by **ppyvabw** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:24 pm

I always do it that way anyway. I put the crossmember on, then a jack on each end of the x member and one on the bell housing and a helper lol.

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:28 pm

that's the way i was thinking of doing it mate. And yes, no doubt I'll rope my two housemates into helping me!

Question tho, do you mount the engine in (on the engine mounts) or keep it a bit lose while the gearbox is bolted on.

What's the access like to the bellhousing bolts?

ppyvabw · Post by **ppyvabw** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:51 pm

I would say loose, but I put the gear box in first anyway, then wiggled the engine in with the front of the box supported with the trolley jack or something. That way I reckon it's easier to get the back of the box over the chassis cross section rail thing because you can lift it up forward of the chassis and then pull it back.

That's gonna be a pain. The access to the bell housing bolts is a little tight.

ppyvabw · Post by **ppyvabw** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:56 pm

ppyvabw wrote:I would say loose, but I put the gear box in first anyway, then wiggled the engine in with the front of the box supported with the trolley jack or something.

Although it's just dawned on me that your problem is with the sump not going in nicely, so don't know if gearbox in first will work.

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:49 pm

well i'm trying it tonight so we'll have to wait and see!

The plan is to put the gearbox under the car, then bolt on the cross member.

Gonna raise up the engine on the hoist, move the car forward into the right position (as well as the gearbox, which'll be on the floor), then lower the engine in.

If the works, then I can try and mate up the box (using my two trusty housemates as extra arms!).

If that doesn't work I'll have to have yet another rethink! I know it has been in the car before, and i know that the engine builder did it that way on his own, so hopefully i'll be able to replicate!

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:38 am

Well the engine is in! Woo-hoo!

I just had to spend ten minutes fitting shiney things to the engine bay as well, then stood back with a very silly smile on my face! Yay!

Now just the joys of fitting the gearbox hehe!