Topic: Tips for 390 engine installation?

[G Wood]

I am getting ready to install my 390 engine/trans into a 69 Mach 1. Does anyone have valuable tips to pass along prior to the installation?


use an engine leveler vs carb plate?
mount chain/leveler into front driver side/rear pass side head?
if i use front and rear head locations, is there room to remove rear bolt when done?
use original engine lift hooks with chain or leveler?
jack up back of car?
etc


Thanks

[hkopp]

While not a 390, I installed my 428scj into my 69 mach 1 last summer.  I had the 4spd connected, and opted on this car for the super comp headers (which are far harder to install while in the car than ex manifolds).  I used a leveler going off the back and front bolt holes of the heads, no carb installed, and the rear of the car jacked up as high as I could.  I had the engine in by myself within 15 minutes and didnt scratch the engine bay at all.  raising the rear is the trick to installing a engine/trans combo....makes it a breeze.

hope that helps...

[G Wood]

Yes, this is helpful. Do you recall how high you lifted the back end?

[Laurie S.]

We installed the 390, with headers, and C-6 in my 1968 fastback as a unit.  We eventually had to unhook the passenger side header, but the rest went in fine.  We jacked the rear up as high as it could go, then tilted the engine/tranny unit as much as possible.  I think we cleared the front apron by less than inch.  We had to be especially careful of the firewall since I painted it the exterior color and striped it.  No damage occurred at all.

[Oz390]

I did my 68 S coupe a while ago by myself.  4 speed off the engine (pretty easy to install from below after).  Used the lift hooks and it dropped right in.  No more then 30 minutes fro wheeling out the engine lift to putting it away with the engine snugly bolted in.

No tilting, jacking and angling...

If a C6 can't say, but will be watching as I'll need to do that combo soon in the new project.

[cobrajetchris]

I used the load leveler from each corner of the head with the C6 trans. and the exhaust manifolds bolted on. I would never trust a carb stud mounted plate on a 700 lb. engine. I did not have to jack the back of the car up but as I walked it in with the cherry picker I put a jack under the trans. to start leveling it out and it went in easy. The other issue that I did not see mentioned is getting the engine to set in there is one thing but getting the mount bolts to go in can be a real pain. I loosen the mount brackets on the shock tower to help with this. You may have to use a jack and a block of wood to move the engine enough to get the bolts in. This was on my 69 MACH 1 428 CJ.