I removed the subframe while removing the transmission. Then decided to entirely strip the engine bay to repaint it. I am now piecing everything back together and am unsure how to do it. I have heard that if you install the subframe in the wrong order, it will mess up the car's driving. The service manual talks about placing the engine on the floor, raising it on a hoist and installing the subframe first thing, and warns not strictly following their procedure will lead to problems; however, it does not specify whether the transmission should be installed on the side of the engine after setting it on the floor and before raising it, but it sounds like that is what they have in mind (it's unclear). Which seems awkward. The engine is on a stand presently, attached to the transmission mount side so I can't just install the transmission and then set it under the vehicle. I was thinking I would lower the engine into the bay from above, suspended from an in-bay engine hoist bar and just do what I did in reverse, which was attach hoses and electrical, install engine mounts, transmission subframe, then last minute suspension components. But at this point I am unsure how to proceed. What is the correct way to do it?

 

Your method is correct. Install motor, use hanger bar attach side motor mount so tyranny can be installed than subframe.
alternate method, attach Trans to motor and raise from below, attach motor mount
and hanger bar, then install sub frame. Alignment of subfrane to original location uis important as the holes are slack and allow for slight alignment.

 

Thank you for your reply. So it sounds like either method can be successful.
I did not mark the location of the subframe holes before removal. The subframe has been repainted so probably unable to eye it out by looking at surface wear around the fasteners. Will not aligning to the exact original location be a problem and is there a suggested way around this? I imagine I will just bolt it in where it lines up most naturally.