Simon Phipps Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Good morning, I'm new to this forum. I have been rebuilding a 1980 triumph spitfire 1500 and am now in the process to refitting the engine in to the car but have run into the last hurdle of the 1 inch gap that I cannot seem to close up between the bell housing and engine plate.Car is in gearEngine mounts on and loose for movementZip tie is around the clutch bearing lever to pull it forwardGear box is over a jack. Engine still have the hoist connected on rear to adjust. Just can't seem to get any further movement. Does anyone have any further tip or even better live in the London/Ilford area to lend a hand. It may just be in now quite getting it there doing it on my own. Any advice would be much appreciatedSimon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Has the clutch been replaced? If so was it correctly aligned before fitting, if not you will have to take it off and align it. with the tool or if some local has a spare input shaft.Try to get the gap all the way around the bellhousing even. The bellhousing and backplate must be parallel!Put it in gear (4th) and try rotating the output flange of the box as you push onto the engine to get the splines engaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Phipps Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share Posted August 23, 2016 Thanks for the reply. I did use a clutch alignment tool when I fitted the new clutch in place. I think it's just being stubborn and needs to be Mm perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty71 Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Is the gearbox main shaft going into the CRANK SPIGOT BUSH 105143 ok? I have had a duff bush before, which binds on the shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Cook Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 I use a trolley jack under the gearbox to make pushing in a bit easier. Try putting some long bolts through the bell housing to engine holes to make sure its level/parallel and in the correct position. As said by Richard: 4th gear and turn the flange as you push. Two people are a must unless you're lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1 Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 I place two rods passing through the engine plate and the bell housing top bolt holes, then you ensure the plate and bell housing are parallel top to bottom and each side. Generally the rear of the engine needs to be lifted some height to align parts.Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Bolts wont be secure or at right angles to the faces, unless they have nuts tightened on them. How will you get them off?Better is to replace the three studs the screw through the engine plate, into the block, with long studs or long bolts with no heads. 5/16 UNF from memory. Do not let the 'box hang on them, they are a guide.You can make a simple tool to 'wiggle' the output shaft with the 'box in gear. Can't post a pic from here, but I've done so before, maybe search for it.John, in Rio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heksu Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Stupid comment. Is it possible to install motor & gearbox bolted together. Im changing my motor next month.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glang Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Quoted from heksu Stupid comment. Is it possible to install motor & gearbox bolted together. Im changing my motor next month.. yes you can no problem. Obviously its really important to get the engine/gearbox hanging at the right angle on the hoist but you then just thread it into place ideally with a helper inside the car to guide it in. The bits that are best removed the seats and gearbox cover but its not necessary to unbolt the bonnet..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Quoted from heksu Stupid comment. Is it possible to install motor & gearbox bolted together. Im changing my motor next month.. The easiest way is to reinstall engine and gearbox together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoe grip Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 I can't think what they are called but there is an adjustable balance bar available from places like machine mart which allows you to very accurately adjust the angle the engine/box is sitting at. This makes engine installation safe and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Quoted from Shoe grip I can't think what they are called but there is an adjustable balance bar available from places like machine mart which allows you to very accurately adjust the angle the engine/box is sitting at. This makes engine installation safe and easy. You dont really need one as the Spit assembly needs to be `jer jiggled `quite a bit ,especially under the bulkheadJust hanging by the engine head mounts is sufficicient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPearce Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Quoted from Shoe grip I can't think what they are called but there is an adjustable balance bar available from places like machine mart which allows you to very accurately adjust the angle the engine/box is sitting at. This makes engine installation safe and easy. Useful things for installing engines (with or without gearbox) and very easy to DIY if you have more time than cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Simon,First time I re-fitted a gearbox I had a b1tch of a job getting it to mate with the engine on the Spit, I spent ages jiggling the engine and box up and down and rotating things to try and get them to slide together. Hang in there, take it steady and DON'T FORCE it - all of a sudden it'll just thunk together. I ended up with a plank on a jack with the engine on one end and the 'box on the other - that seemed to help.Regards,Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Quoted from yorkshire_spam Simon,First time I re-fitted a gearbox I had a b1tch of a job getting it to mate with the engine on the Spit, I spent ages jiggling the engine and box up and down and rotating things to try and get them to slide together. Hang in there, take it steady and DON'T FORCE it - all of a sudden it'll just thunk together. I ended up with a plank on a jack with the engine on one end and the 'box on the other - that seemed to help.Regards,Sam Philip made a box bracket, bolted to block , we slid a piece of 4 x 2 into it and we both lifted the engine into place as we were able to `jiggle `it..Good old Yorkshire brute force Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Flexney Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 take the car and gearbox to a lonely road somewhere in the south of France, I have always found gearboxes go in much easier there 🙂Some people recommend The Netherlands but to be honest I have never had much luck there.AndyF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Previously, Ive posted a series of pics of the manoeuvres needed to exract/ install engine and gearbox together without talk g the bonnet off on my Vitesse. P!ease search for it.John, in Rio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Phipps Posted August 24, 2016 Author Share Posted August 24, 2016 Thank for all your replies. Managed to get it together today using a scissor jack under the gearbox, a length of wood to prise the gearbox into place. It's just seemed to slot in today. Now on to the next challenge.Thank you all again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyb Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 It was probably harder because you did it with the car upside down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Quoted from Dannyb It was probably harder because you did it with the car upside down. Dont be silly.......the oil would have come out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Quoted Text Previously, Ive posted a series of pics of the manoeuvres needed to exract/ install engine and gearbox together without talk g the bonnet off on my Vitesse. P!ease search for it.John, in Rio Sorry , link no longer availableSorry , link no longer available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nang Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 As long as the clutch is correctly lined up and the spigot bush and bearing are ok there's no reason why it won't go . I use the old long bolt/stud trick and a good eyecrometer to get get it right . I work usually by myself on 2500 o/d boxes. Turning the shaft a bit to line up the splines also helps.To me bolting the engine and box together makes an unstable and heavy load. You'll also need heavy lifting gear. As has been said be a bit patient and all will drop into place. (angry)Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Fawlty Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Doesn't matter which way up it is The oil still comes out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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