69 Flower Power Hippie/Hotrod Transit

[Franfixit]

Ok...this is technically not progress on the transit but, rather fabrication of specialised equipment...Have been meaning to do something like this for a while...with the engine recessed so far into the cab an anchor point forward of the engine is required...I have been getting by with the gutter removed from the firewall and resorting to dodgy tricks but none of that is going to work when the engine bay is finished and the motor is painted thus entering ' do not scratch' status.So I've made up brackets to create the forward anchor point.

[deankdx]

you calling my methods dodgy(6cyl below)

Dads V8 one below was similar, he used to put it in as far as possible, then rest it and pick it up by the very front while it was on a jack on the gearbox.

[Franfixit]

you calling my methods dodgy(6cyl below)

Dads V8 one below was similar, he used to put it in as far as possible, then rest it and pick it up by the very front while it was on a jack on the gearbox.

Calling your methods dodgy?...I wouldn't dream of it ....You're using lifting straps instead of chain...that's ahead of me in the scratch free area...Revising your engine fitting technique....You know the part where the chain hits the airduct so you rest it and pick it up by the very front while the gearbox is supported by a trolley jack....imagine if you then moved the engine back again and the chain hit the airduct again...BEFORE you reached your destination...that's the game I'm playing... and I've even removed part of the airduct...That's mainly what the brackets are about ...but there's also the scratch factor...I've been resting the engine on the crossmember same as you did in the picture...but that sort of casualness will have to stop after I paint the oilpan.....I might have to take up using valium when it comes to the final fitting of the painted motor

[gravelrash2004]

i have a question.

If you are looking to stay scratch free on a sump pan that will be so close to the road already. will you be fabricating some kind of sump guard or deflector?

[Franfixit]

i have a question.

If you are looking to stay scratch free on a sump pan that will be so close to the road already. will you be fabricating some kind of sump guard or deflector?

I like to think that the deep sump I have created will be safe and sound behind a combination of the engine crossmember and the suspension beam axle....It might not be as close to the road as you imagine due to the inherent quality of having to mount engines somewhat higher in leaf spring/beam axle set ups so that the beam axle doesn't crash into the oilpan. But if you're referring to general wear and tear from the likes of sand or the odd stone being thrown up...I didn't have any plans to fabricate a solution for that...........................but of course now , now I'm thinking about the possibility .....I'll post a ground level pic when I get the engine in...which will hopefully happen today.

[Franfixit]

The strangest thing happened when I went to bolt the transmission up to the engine....I'm talking really weird....Bermuda triangle/ Twilight zone stuff....When I split the trans from the engine it was simple with both sitting on the ground...but when I went to bolt them back together there was no way it was going to happen without elevating the transmission a good 6 inches!!!!

[conrod]

The strangest thing happened when I went to bolt the transmission up to the engine....I'm talking really weird....Bermuda triangle/ Twilight zone stuff....When I split the trans from the engine it was simple with both sitting on the ground...but when I went to bolt them back together there was no way it was going to happen without elevating the transmission a good 6 inches!!!!

Now hoodathunkit? I cannot imagine what would cause that strange phenomenon!

[Terry]

Hi Fran
Sorry I am a bit late with this but the usual way to lift in an engine/gearbox into an awkward slot is to use 2 slings of different lengths, engine front one short, engine or g/box one longer so the initial lift gives your engine/box an angle maybe 45 degrees, then lower into the hole, transmission onto trolley jack, which allows the rear sling to go loose,then roll back the jack/shove back the engine lowering as you go.(Obviously you need to be on concrete or a good surface to roll the jack).
You are doing well keep at it,
Have fun
Terry

[Franfixit]

Hi Fran
Sorry I am a bit late with this but the usual way to lift in an engine/gearbox into an awkward slot is to use 2 slings of different lengths, engine front one short, engine or g/box one longer so the initial lift gives your engine/box an angle maybe 45 degrees, then lower into the hole, transmission onto trolley jack, which allows the rear sling to go loose,then roll back the jack/shove back the engine lowering as you go.(Obviously you need to be on concrete or a good surface to roll the jack).
You are doing well keep at it,
Have fun
Terry

Hi Terry, Well I disappeared into a dawn til dusk transit vortex and haven't been on the forum...didn't get notification of your post in hotmail for some reason either. Thanks for the info, I reckon that's the same technique Dean was talking about.....I don't have concrete so a strip of panel board does the job (just have to keep an eye on it so the trolley jack doesn't drop off the side)......apart from what you have described I have also included special lifting brackets for the front of the engine....I will post a pic up next of engine bolted in place (with lifting brackets still in place)

[Franfixit]

Here is a pic of the 250 crossflow nestled in the Mk 1 engine bay ...(with the use of my special brackets).....Perfect fit

[deankdx]

they worked well,
can you show a pic from underneath, i'd love to see how the sump sits in there in relation to everything

[Franfixit]

they worked well,
can you show a pic from underneath, i'd love to see how the sump sits in there in relation to everything

The lowest point of the sump is about 8" from the ground.....but if you're walking past and look down past the front wheel (guards not on)...it appears to be about 4" from the ground...from that angle it's both spectacular...and scary looking in regard to hitting things.....Don't think I've got a photo from that view but I'll take one and If I've got one from any direction on photobucket now..I'll post it tonight

[Franfixit]

they worked well,
can you show a pic from underneath, i'd love to see how the sump sits in there in relation to everything

Taa Daa.....I remember taking this.....at beam axle level all you could see was the engine crossmember and the beam axle so I sat the camera on the ground to sneak a peak of the sump from underneath!

[deankdx]

thats the go, should be safe behind there no matter what,
its not in the centre of the van, so Ramp over Angle isnt going to be an issue.

just dont jack it up from there instead of the axel.

[Franfixit]

thats the go, should be safe behind there no matter what,
its not in the centre of the van, so Ramp over Angle isnt going to be an issue.

just dont jack it up from there instead of the axel.

I made the base plate of the sump out of 2mm................but I still won't be tempted to put a jack under it