Potential Problems or Not?

[DHGTR]

Guys, my cockpit section has to go away for about three weeks to have the interior trim sorted. while it was away i was thinking of getting the engine and ancillaries fitted - garage space a bit tight with the iron lump in the way. what i wanted to know was, in your opinions would i be able to go ahead with this plan or am i going to make more problems for myself, ie fitting expansion tank, evaporator and other bits, not to mention rear cockpit riveting. i am able to get to the underside of the car fairly easily with the aid of a car hoist.

cheers
dave

[steve_d]

Not worth it IMHO. there is far more work on the bulkhead than you imagine.

Steve

[tuxman]

yep i agree bulkhead work and fuel pumps ect is a lot of work putting engine in is one night .

[steve_d]

By all means pop the engine in but you will want to take it back out to do the bulkhead work. I think I put my engine in three times. With the right hoist it really is quite easy. The 'box is the more awkward as you have to man handle it through the chassis.

Steve

[DHGTR]

Thanks Steve/Simon for the replies i shall leave the beast sat in the corner for a bit longer then. its not like i havent got anything other jobs to be getting on with. cheers guys
dave

[Actuary]

Hi Dave,

Sounds like we are pretty much at the same stage - we are also virtually "neighbours", a GTR in the West Mids is as close as anyone comes to my Shropshire "flag" on Ultima's sales board ! We'll have to meet for a blast when we are both done ?

A quick question for Steve and all the other seasoned experts out there. My winch arrives tonight which will get the car off the dolly and the engine in soon thereafter. But do you really need to put the engine roughly in place ahead of fitting the bulkhead parts (swirl pot etc etc) ? I have a pretty good idea where they go from Ultima and CJ's extensive diagrams. I was going to take the brave option of fixing everything in place (fuel pumps & pipes / oil pipes already done etc) and then drop the lump in (standard Amerspeed). What are the potential pitfalls ?

On a related note, how do you secure the engine before you lift it ? Ultima say there are some "boltholes" but it all looks a little fragile to me ... I was going to sling a couple of ropes around the block and use the four point lifting harness on my winch.

Cheers folks !

Tony.

[V8 VUM]

Hi Dave,

I also am not far from you-hoo!....both in build and location as I am in the worcester area!
Had the prefit in the autumn, but done little since as my wonderful wife insisted on having an extension put on my house, which of course siphoned all my funds and available credit...... so my poor baby has had to languish in a garage 15 miles away cos my single garage has be commandeered for building rubbish!

Anyhow, looks like the best bit is the new slightly bigger garage (purpose-built for the baby of course!) will be finished in a month.....then, I intend to have a 'welcome-home' party!

The engine, an LS7 - well I can't wait as Jeff S is the man putting it together for me, so the two arrivals hopefully will be fairly close together!

Good luck

Keith

[DHGTR]

Hi Tony Hi Keith

Its funny how other 'things' impact on our time with our new loves. i also had to put my baby on hold last year for a while, whilst we house hunted in Lanzarote, but i suppose the amount of money i'm ploughing into the GTR it's only fair to indulge the 'other half' as well, and after all a house in the sun isnt that bad! Tony, how weird i had a childhood friend called Tony Knight, youre not from Essex are you? seriousley though it will be good to perhaps go to some of the events en masse from the midlands. i'm hoping to be finished and on the road by July, which will be smack on the 3 year target i gave myself but i am having to push myself now but hey its quite enjoyable. look forward to meeting you both.

dave

[pb3]

Tony, as regards lifting the engine all you need is four bolts placed in each end of the heads. I use the bolts that hold the adapter plate to the back of the engine. Just make sure they are screwed in as far as they will go. Then hook your rope/harness around them and lift. Although I must admit the first couple of times I added a rope sling around the whole engine just in case but it is unnecessary! It always scares me when I have the whole lump suspended above the car even now.
Also, I find it a lot easier to move the car than the engine crane, it stops the thing from swinging around if all you use it for is lift/lower and roll the car back as needned.

[tuxman]

Hi Dave , most of the engine bay can be done without any problems my only issue was were to run the starter thick red cable as i think they show it running across the bay ,i have a special H piece of steel box with 4 chains hanging from the corners that line up with the bolt holes in the heads it is a lovely bit of kit and works very well you can borrow it if you want just give me a shout. simon

Edited by tuxman on Monday 19th March 12:30

[Actuary]

Cheers Dave / Phil,

In quick reply :

Dave, am not from Essex so I must have a long lost brother ! I too hope to be on the road by 1 July (hopefully by 1 May if the last bits all fit) and will keep you posted. NB You can check out progress at my web site (see profile "link". See you later in the year for sure !

Phil, thanks for the engine "words of comfort". I know Ultima do it that way too, it's just that the thought of 200 kilos of V8 getting loose doesn't bear thinking about ! Will also move the car rather than the engine as you suggest - good idea !

Regards

Tony.