Engine Install Tips, 914-6 Order of Operations Options

[DennisV]

If things go well next week, I might be able to take a run at installing the engine in our 914-6.

What should I do to prep for the marriage and / or a sequence of events should I follow to be most efficient? I’ve reviewed the Removing and Installing Engine section in the factory workshop manual. Any advice in addition, or contrary, to those steps?

CURRENTLY
* Engine is on a test stand
* Transmission is on the floor
* Chassis is on its wheels on a 4 post lift
* Drive shafts are attached to the stub axle on the car
* Wiring harness is on engine
* Engine bay is pretty bare. No oil hoses, fuel hoses, fuel pump, engine wiring harness.


ASSUMPTIONS
Before Engine In Car
* Mate transmission to engine
* Remove air cleaner
* Oil hoses routed in engine bay
* Fuel lines installed
* Fuel hoses routed in engine bay
* Fuel pump mounted
* Heat exchangers on engine (ideally, but…)
* Engine bay rubber seals

After Engine In Car
* Drive shafts attached
* Shift rod
* Muffler
* Hot air ducts, flaps
* Air cleaner

QUESTIONS
* Will the ramps or cross-beams of the lift cause clearance or height issues? Below is a shot of the lift.
* Will it be a problem to install the heat exchangers after the engine is in the car? They won’t clear to supports on the test stand.
* Should I install the oil and fuel hoses in the engine bay first?
* If I use the parts catalog listed length on hoses, will I be OK? Or will I wish I hadn't cut the hoses to length until the engine is in?

Thank you.

[mskala]

I have done the 4-post lift remove-install several times. I have a thread
somewhere about 20 years ago describing lift setup. Basically, it seems like
all these lifts are slightly different spacing. For the future, yours is wide enough
to make a couple mods, but not going to happen with the car already up.

I have 42" between the lip of the rails when I have moved my one rail for this.
The widest point is the front lip of the engine tin; as someone said, if this is not
going to fit through, you will need to tip the engine a certain amount, then raise
one side past the lip, then roll left or right, then get the other side by the other
lip. It is not as bad as it sounds, as long as your engine is really supported well
while tilted.

My other worst issue with install/remove on the lift is the left side axle. I remove
the wires to the reverse light switch, and then I think there is usually enough
room to move eng/trans forward and back at the right times to swing the axle by
the starter.