Having trouble installing engine back into engine bay, H23 4th gen prelude

what is the best way to install the engine back into the car? should i have the intake manifold on the block? should i have the tranny attached to the block? or would it be easier to install the tranny after i put the block in the car?

I spend 5 hours today trying to put my engine back into the car. I can't seem to find a way to fit the tranny back on. I even took off the front and middle cross member.

i was hesitant on installing the engine with the tranny attached because i remember how difficult it was to remove the engine and tranny. the rear engine mount was a pain in the *** and kept catching on the engine, making removal difficult.

please share with me your steps in putting the engine back into the car. Please mention if you have the tranny, intake mani, mounting brackets, etc attached to the block before you hoist it back in.

oh yea.. i'm doing this all by myself with no extra hand. cause i'm a loser.

 

if you have a balancer on your hoist its easier. if not your best option is probably to put the engine in and then the tranny

 

I did not not have a balancer on my hoist and installed it with tranny and IM. I personally did not want to try and squeeze that stuff in later. Just work at it more tomorrow knowing that it can be done. P.S. I did use a floor jack and a piece of wood to persuade it to go in a different direction at times.

 

drop it in way up front and lower that it needs to go - then push the entire engine back push bolt through rear mount (don't tighten all the way) and install tranny mount (again don't tighten completely). Lastly install driver side and tighen. then tighten all.

I did mine with Tranny, IM, PS, Alternator, and AC all on. NO balancer either

 

Oh yea and don't forget to attach the heater core hose to the block before you put it completely in place

 

only said it as easier with the balancer, i did mine all together without one as well

 

i have everything on mine except a/c, ps, crank pully, drivers side mount and alt, but i do have the brackets on. have the engine go in at an angle with the tranny side lower then t-belt side. i put the tranny mount bolt in first, then rear, then front, then side.

its much easier if u have 1 or 2 people helping, cause one lowers it, the other 2 guide it and make sure nothing is getting caught...

 

I alsp did not have the crank pulley on. Just an FYI.

I never remove or install an engine with the crank pulley on.

 

thanks for all the advice. I think i'm gonna try it with all the mounts and brackets off, crank pulley off. and have the tranny and IM attached. and stop being such a ***** with that rear bracket.

how would i come about lowering the tranny side without an engine leveler? I know i can hook the cherry picker closer to the driver side and the tranny side would naturally hang lower. is this a good idea? because i can't get it to balance straight after i set thechains in position. or should i just have someone put some wieght and pressure on the tranny side, that way i can straight everthing out after i get it into position.

Thanks again everyone. I come to the forums in my times dire needs. and it's always great to get moral support from you guys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MadCityLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I alsp did not have the crank pulley on. Just an FYI.

I never remove or install an engine with the crank pulley on.</TD></TR></TABLE>


why is this? besides clearance

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kulrevon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


why is this? besides clearance</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe because if you bump the crank pulley on something your whole rotating assembly takes the force?....

 

My primary reasoning is clearance - if you bang the crank pulley it is likely to chip, crack, and break. (I have done it with my F22) Ever since then then I always remove it.

Also I find it easier to remove and install while the engine is still in the car, since normally when I pull my engine I also change out timing components this is makes for easier access.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MadCityLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I alsp did not have the crank pulley on. Just an FYI.

I never remove or install an engine with the crank pulley on.</TD></TR></TABLE>


yeah i definitely recommend removing the crank pulley...

it gives you about 3" more clearance when putting the engine/tranny back in at an angle.

also i recommend removing the t.b., you would not want to bump the tps against firewall

 

Another vote for removing the crank pully.

Why not buy a leveler? I got mine at a local auto parts store for like $30.

 

i would, but i would like to finish this up as soon as possible, and i dont think any auto stores around my area have them. We have sears, VIP, autozone, pepboys, and CAP consumer auto parts.

 

I bought mine at autozone. Pepboys carries them too. Now go buy one, no excuses now.

 

I'm there!

 

I know one of the stores around boston has an amazing tool rental deal. maybe try there.

 

I just hook up the lift more towards the timing belt side so the transmission hangs lower. Once the transmission clears under the passenger side, then push it left until you can squeeze the timing belt side down. Taking off the crank pulley gives you more room, definitely.

Otherwise, jack the front end all the way up, slide the engine underneath and pull it from the top.

And yes, remove the throttle body first, since you'll most likely crack it if you drop it from the top and it bangs on the firewall. (don't ask me how I know)

 

I got the engine in. Block, tranny, and IM together... i also bought an engine leveler for 30 bucks. It was tricky to get the rear mount in place, but i think i know how to do it well now. Gotta attach it to the mount first, then bolt the bracket to the tranny and block.

i'll prolly end up yanking the engine out again in the spring. we'll see.

thanks for everyones help. I just needed the moral support. oh yeah.. i did the whole thing by myself with no helping hand.

 

next time put the engine in from the bottom. alot easier