First engine install...any tips?

rennch · rennch's Garage

Hi all,

Sunday, with the help of a couple of Pelicanheads, I'll be installing my first Porsche motor. It's an 82 3.0 going into my 72T. At the moment, the transmission is still on the car. The car's on a hydraulic lift, and the engine is on a transmission jack, which means I can move it and shift it easily under the car. Do you think it's necessary to pull the tranny, or should I give it a shot the way it is. Any other words of wisdom?

(I'm really going to need wiring help....)

Thanks.

mto

Pat S · 08-17-2003, 04:44 AM

UTKarmann_Ghia and I installed his 82 3.0 yesterday and did engine only. It was not difficult; we had the car on ramps and just used a pair of jacks to help angle the engine so that it would slide on the trans. His was the correct engine going back in and it was smooth sailing, took us only about 2 hours to have the whole thing bolted in and hooked up. It went very smooth.
So I don't think we will have any problems with the physical aspect of getting it bolted in even with the trans in. The problems I assume we will run into are electrical and oil line configs.

See you at 11 or so.

k9handler · 08-17-2003, 05:59 AM

well....after what I went through a couple weeks ago with my 3.6, pull the freakin tranny and save a bunch of time and hassle! I will NEVER again attempt to pull just the motor...it's called one trial learning. Ha Ha

Allenk · 08-17-2003, 05:43 PM

Pull the tranny. Bolt it all back in as a unit. I think repairs manuals say the same.

rennch · rennch's Garage

HI all, back now. Thanks for the pull the tranny advice...but I can do better. Get a transmission jack. I borrowed one from a local shop, and it *couldn't* have been easier to install the motor on it. I think it took us about a minute to sync the motor and tranny up. I'll *never* pull the tranny now, it was so easy!!!!!

A transmission jack tilts in all sorts of ways, so it's REALLY easy to line everything up. It helps to have the car on a lift...

Anyway, I'm about 90% of the way there...almost everything is connected. I gave up for the day. Too tired!

UTKarmann_Ghia · 08-17-2003, 06:03 PM

I'm with Pat, or he's with me and you emptyo! My engine is back in and it's running great. I've pulled about 25 VW engines in my time, but never a Porsche. With Pat's help, it was a piece of cake. He sure does get around these days! Thanks Pat, here's to you!

rennch · rennch's Garage

Indeed. Pat was a rock star today. We'll have to start the "Leave the transmission in" Society.

We'll have to all hook up for a little road trip sometime soon guys. Cruise up to Mt. Evans, perhaps...

UTKarmann_Ghia · 08-17-2003, 07:05 PM

Oh ya, once Pat gets his ride back together

Have you seen any of the detailing he's doing with his engine bay/engine? It's pretty sweet. Ok Pat, time to take some pics and post em

Pat S · 08-17-2003, 07:18 PM

I'll post some pics soon. Don't worry.
Besides who has time to work on their own cars with you two around

When does it start snowing up there? I may need to schedule a week off work to get my 40,000 pieces back together to beat the snow.