BBi Engine back in

Only about an hour or less to get the engine from the stand back in the engine bay. Thanks for all of the F-chatters help on prep etc. No bell hsg, no rt alternator. I gotta say, I would have loved to keep the metal water pipes on, but it got way too scary to try and tilt the engine so the crank is pointing way down. So I yanked them. It was still a bit of a trick to get the engine nestled in. You need to yaw the engine a few degrees to keep from trashing the airbox mounts. Otherwise they interfere with the engine mounts. Also, a few inches from done, the gearbox, and crossmember stop a simple drop in. I lowered about 1 cm, tilted engine, pushed fwd repeat several times followed by pulling back to be careful of oil tank. I could've sworn the 308 was easier. One tilt, come down, and level out. Also, the bell hsg can be on. I would love to see Ferrari put in a BBi engine with the engine pretty much fully assembled. I'm getting psyched to go back in there and install the headers. Those forward nuts, what joy to get to!

Anyone out there put in one of these alone? I started to do it alone, and my neighbor who's very mechanically versed saw my painstakingly slow process came over to help. That was wayyyyy smoother to have a lookout for hoses, and interferance issues.

 

"more easily accessed by removing the lower wheel well access panels"

There's a panel that comes off? I thought I pretty much unbolted all that can be unbolted. What panel is this? Are you talking about the whole fiberglass fenderwell?

Thanks for the tip regarding 12mm nuts. I already bought a set of those anticipating going that route. Originality is getting less important with each part that becomes a challenge. Like the water pipe that connects the water pump, and T-stat. It was suggested to get that from the bottom. I had better luck from the top. Neither is right or wrong, it's just what works.

Did you ever notice how much clearance do you have from the L- alternator and assoc hardware to the oil tank? I'm able to get a 1/8" piece of plastic through the adjustment nut, and tank. Pretty tight imho.

Thanks again!

Congrats for single handing it. I was doing that when my neighbor showed, and I was glad to have help. I have a vivid imagination for sending units / balancer pulleys going thru the back glass as I inch the crane fwd - it sticks then jumps - and the engine swings, and I don't catch it. That would ruin a day!