Mostly for those with 1in set back plates.
Im curious how the hell you guys drop the motor and trans in together? Im using original sbc mounts, carshopInc 1in set back plates on 5.3 and 4l60e.
I did a lot of test fitting with the engine alone, I had no problems getting it in. Then I dropped the motor and trans in together once by myself. Honestly have no idea how I accomplished it but it wasn't too bad. Had to pull the motor and trans again after that. Second drop in with motor and trans I had help and I scratched up the firewall, dented it a little and on the passenger side I removed the coil packs and the valve cover but the sharp corners on the heads still scratched up and even put a hole into the A/C box that I already previously notched with fiberglass.. So I had to pull it to repair the hole and clean up the scratched firewall.
I had to purchase one of the LS1 lift plates that replaces the middle valley cover. I tried my usual chain method with a bolt on opposite sides of the head, and tried using my load leveler but I found with the 1in set back plates theres not much room to try and remove the bolts from the back of the heads an firewall. The bolts/brackets on the engine leveler still damaged and scratched up the firewall ever more. So the LS1 lift plate has to be used.
Found that the biggest problem is getting the clam shells to fit over the frame pads correctly. I lift the motor at a very steep angle and drop the trans down, then I had someone underneath the car and lift the trans up as I slowly lower the motor. But droping it in at this angle is when most of the firewall damage occurs.
Thought about removing the frame pads off the frame and bolting them to the clamshells, then drop the motor in and bolt it back to the frame. However as you know frame pads are a b*tch to install/remove. Plus I already have them torqued down and a dab of blue loctite on the bolts. If I did this I wouldn't be able to torque the bolts down, I just have to tighten them by hand with a box wrench. I dont see getting the head of my torque wrench plus socket in there with all the mounts are together.
Im curious how the hell you guys drop the motor and trans in together? Im using original sbc mounts, carshopInc 1in set back plates on 5.3 and 4l60e.
I did a lot of test fitting with the engine alone, I had no problems getting it in. Then I dropped the motor and trans in together once by myself. Honestly have no idea how I accomplished it but it wasn't too bad. Had to pull the motor and trans again after that. Second drop in with motor and trans I had help and I scratched up the firewall, dented it a little and on the passenger side I removed the coil packs and the valve cover but the sharp corners on the heads still scratched up and even put a hole into the A/C box that I already previously notched with fiberglass.. So I had to pull it to repair the hole and clean up the scratched firewall.
I had to purchase one of the LS1 lift plates that replaces the middle valley cover. I tried my usual chain method with a bolt on opposite sides of the head, and tried using my load leveler but I found with the 1in set back plates theres not much room to try and remove the bolts from the back of the heads an firewall. The bolts/brackets on the engine leveler still damaged and scratched up the firewall ever more. So the LS1 lift plate has to be used.
Found that the biggest problem is getting the clam shells to fit over the frame pads correctly. I lift the motor at a very steep angle and drop the trans down, then I had someone underneath the car and lift the trans up as I slowly lower the motor. But droping it in at this angle is when most of the firewall damage occurs.
Thought about removing the frame pads off the frame and bolting them to the clamshells, then drop the motor in and bolt it back to the frame. However as you know frame pads are a b*tch to install/remove. Plus I already have them torqued down and a dab of blue loctite on the bolts. If I did this I wouldn't be able to torque the bolts down, I just have to tighten them by hand with a box wrench. I dont see getting the head of my torque wrench plus socket in there with all the mounts are together.