Rebuild: Turbo Minivan, Part 1

[1BADVAN]

why are you installing the trans separately? why not just put it in all as one unit?

[Vigo]

Here's some unsolicited advice related to what 1BADVAN's question..

I find it easiest to put the engine and trans in together as one assembly. There's a bit of a process there.. First, obviously, is get the engine and trans bolted together. Make sure the trans mount is bolted to the trans. Then get the front of the van up high enough that you can slide the engine/trans under the van to the engine bay. Then lower the van back down enough to where its comfortable to lean over the top and get to things.

Since the engine and trans together are pretty long assembly, they wont fit between the legs of the hoist if you put it in from the front, so i bring the hoist in from the side, so the legs can go on either side of the engine/trans. Then i hook the hoist up to the end of the cylinder head in one of the holes for the 15mm bolts there. Lifting it from that point has the engine hanging lower than the trans which is what i like, because it is easiest to get the trans mount in first. The receptacle on the body for the trans mount is kind of coned so that as long as you get the trans mount underneath it and lift up it will automatically center itself so you can put the bolt through. Once you get the long bolt through the trans mount, you can keep jacking up the hoist and it will pivot the engine/trans off the attached trans mount and lift up the front of the motor. Once i get it above the frame rail i bolt on the passenger mount and then lower it into its body receptacle..

Ive found that to be the fastest and easiest way to hang the drivetrain in the engine bay.


/ unsolicited advice.

Keep up the good work!

[BIG PSI]

We fought for 2 hours trying to get the trans in today.

I may just take the motor back out and bolt the trans to it and do the VIGO SLIDE !!! (lol)

But if that does not work out, then next Tuesday OhioRob is making a house call.

I am getting ready to move and just do not have time to mess with it.

Chuck

[turbovanman²]

Guess I am lucky, I just lower the van down on the powertrain, or any other turbo mopar,

[Reeves]

Take the K-frame out and you'll have a TON of room to drop the vehicle down on the engine/trans.

Don't really need to on a van, but, it still helps.

[turbovanman²]

Take the K-frame out and you'll have a TON of room to drop the vehicle down on the engine/trans.

Don't really need to on a van, but, it still helps.

Nah, even L body's have room,

[Reeves]

Nah, even L body's have room,

Sure.....if you're a hack.

[turbovanman²]

Sure.....if you're a hack.

Why? I do it all on TD's, never hacked anything, even an L body.

[Vigo]

Ive never taken a k-frame out to get a motor or trans in or out, either bolted together or separate..

[Dave]

we tried putting it together first, couldnt get the trans to line up though..this i why we tried it separately.

Made a bunch more progress yesterday...pics tonight.

[BIG PSI]

You guys have to remember one thing

I AM NOT A MECHANIC, heck I can't do brakes, but I am one of the best at getting the ratchets, screwdrivers, hammers, sockets, air tools handed to you.

What I am decent doing is detailing (painting) the motor pieces.
That is why I called Rob.

[Reeves]

Ive never taken a k-frame out to get a motor or trans in or out, either bolted together or separate..

It's a hell of a lot easier to go in/out the bottom that way.


But in L's, I just take the whole combo out the top.

Van, took it out the bottom with K-Frame in place.

Trans by theirselves I take out the bottom with K-frame out. MUCH easier!

Unless it's a van....then the K can stay in.

[turbovanman²]

It's a hell of a lot easier to go in/out the bottom that way.


But in L's, I just take the whole combo out the top.

Van, took it out the bottom with K-Frame in place.

Trans by theirselves I take out the bottom with K-frame out. MUCH easier!

Unless it's a van....then the K can stay in.

I do all out thru the bottom, so easy, if doing engine and trans.

L body trans, next one I'll take out the damn K-member if doing a stock 525 trans, that bracket on the diff housing gets caught on the k-member, grrr.

[Reeves]

L body trans, next one I'll take out the damn K-member if doing a stock 525 trans, that bracket on the diff housing gets caught on the k-member, grrr.

But if it's the engine and trans then it magically clears the K-frame?

[Vigo]

It's a hell of a lot easier to go in/out the bottom that way.

I dont see how much easier it can get.. heh. I think L-bodies are the ONLY situation where that remotely makes sense, personally.

[Dave]

You guys have to remember one thing

I AM NOT A MECHANIC, heck I can't do brakes, but I am one of the best at getting the ratchets, screwdrivers, hammers, sockets, air tools handed to you.

What I am decent doing is detailing (painting) the motor pieces.
That is why I called Rob.

Since I have no idea wtf I'm doing. Hope the drive is worth it for him to do your brakes then.

[Dave]

Anyway, more progress...

Trying to get the trans in.




Starting on tucking the wires for the passenger's side.


Gross...


Much better.


Got to installing my vacuum block and painted the MAP bracket.


Ran the wire harness from alongside the frame.


Put everything in place where the charcoal canister used to reside.


That's it.

[Reeves]

Looks like your timing belt tensioner is the wrong side of tensioned. It looks like it is up tensioned instead of down tensioned.

Looking good!

[cordes]

Why the one piece? It looks great, but with all of the pieces you have put together I would think that you would pick up quite a bit from a two piece.

As far as dropping the K frame to take out the trans, I sure don't.

Even in an Omni I put a couple short studs in the top two holes, take off the trans mount etc., climb under the car, pick it up off the studs and lower it down onto my chest. I've got a little practice now, but it's not too bad.

IIRC the last time I think I actually put the top front bolt in while holding the trans up there.

[turbovanman²]

But if it's the engine and trans then it magically clears the K-frame?

From the bottom as one unit, yes, you have wiggle room without the engine mounts etc. Installing the trans, you don't have any side to side room so it gets jammed.

You did notice I said stock 525 trans, right? I put a 555 or 523, can't remember, in an L body and it was cake, no rear bracket per say.