It won’t go back in!

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mm1000
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:46 am
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: London, UK

It won’t go back in!

Postby mm1000 » Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:15 am

I was feeling quite chuffed as I had pulled the engine out of my 1974 1800. I cleaned and painted the block with new rings, bearing etc and put on a new clutch. Putting the block back in however has been a nightmare. I have got the block and bell housing bolted together, eventually but I cannot get the engine mounts to line up. The engine seems to have grown wider by about 3cm. The engine will no longer turn over by hand but I’m hoping this is just an alignment issue as the top engine to bell housing bolts aren’t tightened yet.

My next plan is to pull the motor and then take out the gearbox. Put the engine back in and then put the gearbox on but space is limited in my garage so I’d rather not have to go to such extremes.

I’d be might grateful for any suggestions

Ben

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focodave
Patron 2018
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Posts: 704
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:35 am
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Fort Collins, CO

Re: It won’t go back in!

Postby focodave » Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:17 am

Loosen the motor mount nuts from the underside of the cross member.
Don't remove the nuts completely -- just loosen them enough so the motor mounts can slide up and down in the slotted holes in the cross member.
The bolt heads are hard to reach, but it can be done through the holes on the underside of the cross member -- you will need a u-joint on your socket at the end of a socket extension.
Raise the motor just enough to allow the motor mounts to be slid in their slotted holes in the cross member, allowing you to get everything aligned properly.
Lower the motor and tighten all bolts up.
It WILL go back in -- I have done it myself just like thousands of others have also done in the past.
1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster

User avatar
mm1000
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:46 am
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: London, UK

Re: It won’t go back in!

Postby mm1000 » Fri Oct 27, 2017 1:42 pm

Great - I’ll give it a go this weekend and let you know how I get on!
Thanks

User avatar
mm1000
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:46 am
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: London, UK

Re: It won’t go back in!

Postby mm1000 » Thu Feb 15, 2018 8:33 am

Thanks very much - it worked a treat! Strange how it doesn't mention that in any manuals I have.

User avatar
focodave
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 704
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:35 am
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Fort Collins, CO

Re: It won’t go back in!

Postby focodave » Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:31 pm

Ben,

Your very welcome -- glad it worked out for you!

Happy motoring....

Dave
1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster


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