Motor/Tranny Mating Issues

[Gavin]

Motor/Tranny Mating Issues/Resolved

Hello all, I am currently in the process of swapping the 5.7 out in my Aspen, I know it isn't a Ram, but good luck finding an Aspen forum where anyone has turned wrenches on these things. The trouble I am having is the I am having issues getting the Engine and Tranny mated while installing the replacement motor. I went for a used motor with a warranty and used the flywheel that came installed on the new motor. It appears to be hanging up on the bottom of the bell housing. I really do not want to pull the motor back out to check and see if the flywheel is wrong. Did the MDS motors even come with different flywheels or do I just need to keep attempting to align this thing. Thanks for your help. And I don't mind a little good natured ribbing if I am overlooking anything.

 

[05daytona]

Take 2 transmission bolts and cut the heads off, cut a slot where the head used to be and screw them into the block on either side. This way you know it's lined up. I'd take a tranny bolt to a hardware store and match it up so you don't cut up a good tranny bolt.

 

[RonJon '06]

I had the same problem putting the engine back in my Ram. It wanted to tip back towards the rear and after several unsuccessful attempts I ended up putting a jack underneath the rear of the engine to get the angle right. Wish I had known about that headless bolt trick.

 

[Gavin]

Thanks for the responses. I will head to the hardware store this evening with a tranny bolt and buy some studs. In the meantime while I am stuck at the house without transportation I will give jacking the back end of the motor up.

 

[Gavin]

Thanks for the assistance guys. I ended up running a cargo strap over top of the tranny to the frame rails to keep it from lifting up. I then hooked the back end of the motor back to the engine hoist (motor mounts were previously seated) and lifted and wiggled wiggled wiggled until they lined up. All is well on the home front again. Thanks for the advice. Next time I will have a set of studs in hand before attempting to seat the motor to the tranny.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

Well done.. it's easy to second guess everything when doing it the first time.