VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 50-engine installation

is it possible with enough help to install engine into my 50 with out removing the floor pad and hump cover. i was thinking with enough help and engine leveler you could slowing slide the trans with u-joint onto the drive shaft thus eliminating the need to remove the floor area or another scenario would be to unbolt the u-bolts and move the rear end enough to slide shaft and trans unto each other . just a couple of ideas i have been thinking about anybody have any other ideas thanks

While anything is possible, I think removing the carpet, transmission cover, and front seat will make for a less stressful process. Your way could be nothing but a lot more hassle, a crushed finger, scratched up firewall and transmission cover, and even some alignment issues with the transmission and motor mounts. You will see the big picture much better from looking down and up as you do the work than just looking up from under your car.

You have invested to much time and money to not do your engine install without doing it with the utmost caution and attention to each detail.

Will you be removing your hood???

Best wishes, Mike

not removing the hood and taking the grill and radiator support off

I would remove the hood as I think it would be much easier (in addition to the grill and radiator support.

Interesting idea. I am trying to visualize how this would work.

I assume that the bell shield with tube for the ball joint will be pushed back onto the drive shaft tube. The complete u-joint would be hanging out the back end of the transmission. That adds some length and as you noted will require additional hands to get it in the right position.

My experience with engine removal/installation is that unless I have done that particular engine in that car a few times I take the time to give myself all the access I can get. What you would think is extra time and effort removing the hood radiator, etc. really saves time overall and greatly minimizes the chance of damage to the car or engine.

It seems to me that your approach would require that the engine and transmission be closer to vertical than a normal installation. The u-joint would have to be high enough to clear the radiator to start the installation. You would simultaneously move the assembly to the rear as you lower and un-tilt it.

I wonder if a load-leveler will handle that large a change in angle. The engine hoist would have to be able to lift fairly high also.

Chipper has mentioned a few times that he finds it often easier to get the back end of the car as high as possible. If you also got the front end of the car as low as possible temporarily, the engine angle to ground angle needed would not be as extreme and might prove useful

I too have found that "the long way" often proves to be shorter and easier than the initial perceived "shortcut".

thanks for all the answers and ideas .i will let you all know the outcome of the engine R&R

If you’re not planning to remove the hood, then I would recommend removing the core support. The grille can stay if you remove the hood latch. I agree getting the rear up would be helpful, but you’ll need someone under the front to guide the transmission. I would also recommend removing the trans mount. Good luck.