Build engine frames around the engine?

[Steve1967]

Hello, I wonder if anyone can give me same advice?

I have a 67 S1 4.2 roadster that I am 75% of the way through rebuilding. The body work is nearly done - it just needs painting, the engine is finished and the IRS is completely rebuilt and ready to fit. I've done all the work myself and while I have a pretty good workshop, I don't have the kit or ceiling height to raise the engine to the ridiculous level it needs to be to get it into the car. I also don't have a 4 post lift to drop the car on the engine.

I've been thinking about it and as I need to take the bonnet back off now to dismantle it, and the engine frames ready for painting, it occured to me that I could place the complete engine/gearbox unit (no manifolds) on a block and in position, with the gearbox properly located. Maybe just set the engine block an inch or two higher than its normal location. I can then build the engine frames around it and fit the front suspension and finally, using a hoist, raise the engine slightly and then lower it properly on its mounts.

Can anyone think of a reason why this wouldn't work?

Assuming this would work, and bearing in mind that I now have a bare shell, are there any jobs that I would need to do now that you cant if the engine is in position? The clutch slave cylinder is already mounted. Is there anything else?

Thank you in advance. Love this forum, it's been incredibly useful for me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Steve

[mgcjag]

Hi Steve...no reason you cannot do it this way...i have dismantled in the reverse before......you can consider fitting frames then raising the front of the car sliding engine gearbox under then lowering the front...if you have enough height...you dont need much...or just fit side frames, slide engine in from front then fit picture frame......Steve

[265bhp]

Building the frames around the engine is exactly what I plan to do...

[Jeremy]

Exactly what I did. Slowly, carefully, no sweating, and completely safe. It worked extremely well:

[H7OB]

Flippin ‘eck Jeremy, that engine looks good!
Almost a shame to put it back!

[Steve1967]

That's great guys thank you. I do fee relieved as I wasn't sure how else I could do it.

Thanks again

Steve

[Jeremy]

Flippin ‘eck Jeremy, that engine looks good!
Almost a shame to put it back!

I was thinking about mounting it on a plinth in the sitting room.....

[Mark Gordon]

Obviously from the previous responses, this can be done. According to Phillip Porter's "Jaguar E Type The definitive history", page 163, it's exactly how Jaguar did it on the early models although later on (he doesn't say just when) they installed the subframes first and then installed the engine. It would seem to me that on a factory assembly line, the former would be the easier way but there had to be some advantage in ease, speed or convenience for the factory to have switched to the latter.

[64OTS]

Its not really feasible to tilt the engine & gearbox to around 45 degrees in a home workshop using a normal engine hoist, so what I did was lower them to the ground, unbolt the gearbox from underneath then lift the engine straight up. There is just enough room to wiggle it out with the clutch still attached. I will replace it in reverse order. So there are a few different ways it can be done.

[Steve1967]

I didn't think you can undo/tighten the bolts connecting the bell housing to the block with the engine in situ as they are inserted from the back and are 4" long. I would have thought the tunnel and the bulkhead would be in the way?
Clearly i am mistaken and it is possible.
I prefer plan A though!

[64OTS]

The engine & gearbox are lowered to the ground first, with the front of the car jacked up. Access to remove the gearbox is then fairly straighforward.

[Steve1967]

Oh I see, that makes sense. Thank you, one to consider for the future!