Reassembly Order of Operations, Suspension, Fuel, Brakes, Engine Options

[DennisV]

The engine, transaxle, and all the assemblies under the car are off (e.g. brakes, suspension, fuel lines). I’m hoping to get it back on four wheels this trip and am attempting to identify order of operations, so I don’t waste my limited time with the car redoing things.

Will this order of assembly cause me any problems? Have I overlooked anything? All related components have been rebuilt or replaced. Sorry for the long post...

ON LIFT

* Steering rack - Installed
* Brake master cylinder - Installed

1. Brakes
a. Hard brake lines

OFF LIFT ON JACK STANDS DUE TO RAMP CLEARANCE

2. Suspension - Front
a. Cross member
b. Torsion bars
c. Control arms
d. Ball joints
e. Struts
f. Tie rod ends
g. Hub with bearings installed

3. Suspension - Rear
a. Shocks
b. Trailing arms - Bearings and Hubs installed
c. Axles with CV joints

1. Brakes - Continued
b. Soft brake lines
c. Brake shields
d. Rotors
e. Calipers
f. Pads
g. Wheels

OFF STANDS ON LIFT

4. Fuel
a. Fuel lines
b. Fuel pump
c. Gas tank

5. Engine
a. Engine mounts
b. Suspension mounts
c. Exhaust on engine
d. Engine mated with transaxle
e. Engine / transaxle install in car

Thank you.

[BillC]

That looks like a reasonable list and order. Basically, you are going to want to run the fuel lines and the brake hard lines, as well as install the rear trailing arms, before you install the engine. Also, depending on how much room you have to maneuver, you may want to wait until after the engine/trans are bolted into the car before installing the exhaust.

[Flyinlow]

You will want heat exchangers bolted in place but not muffler

[infraredcalvin]

I’d install engine before rear trailing arms, sure is nice to have all that room. Careful of the weight balance on the lift as you add weight to the rear, front can get light.

[barefoot]

I’d install engine before rear trailing arms, sure is nice to have all that room. Careful of the weight balance on the lift as you add weight to the rear, front can get light.

Or you can install the trailing arms but leave the axle assemblies off. Those inner CV joints & axles get in the way of engine install. Plus its then easier to torque the stub axles.

Barefoot

[JamesM]

I’d install engine before rear trailing arms

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) That

Especially if you are doing a high level restoration where you don't want to scratch up your engine tin.

its not the CV axels that are the problem, its the rear control arm pivot nuts.

[DennisV]

After my best effort to prep and avoid remove and replace, I ended up making a rookie mistake. I installed the steering rack before attaching the fork joint and track rod. There isn't enough clearance to get the bolt through the fork joint / eye bolt after the steering rack is mounted. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

I assume I haven't read about this anywhere because most people are installing the turbo tie rod end that don't require the bolt. Maybe this note will safe someone else a headache down the road.