engine frame

[johnhcrighton]

Provided the engine is supported, is it feasible to remove the engine frame with the engine in situ? I am converting a Series 1 from LHD to RHD and with the radiator out, the steering rack off, the carbs off, the master cylinders off etc etc, the temptation to 'tidy up' the engine bay and frame is strong. It would also be reassuring to confimr that the frame is sound.

[christopher storey]

John : it is certainly possible to do it but I think it is inadvisable, because the engine will really be quite unstable . In any event by the time you reach the stage of removing the frames, the only thing left to do to remove the engine will be to disconnect the linkages. Further, with the engine out you have a clear field to work with on the frame bolts etc, and trying to remove these (particularly the lower ones) without having to lift the body etc ( which I think would be impossible with the engine blocked up) can be quite a challenge

[PeterCrespin]

For while E-types were made at the factory by offering up the pre-assembled engine/frame assembly, which in turn echoed D-type build practice. So it is certainly feasible.

However, with the factory jigs or assembly line furniture and equipment I could imagine it might be a Dickens of a job to get the threaded bolt holes lined up down below, unless you have a few carrot drifts lying around or a steel erector's podger. In your shoes I'd be tempted to do what you're contemplating, but never having done it I don't know if I'd feel differently should the frames gave an unpromsing 'twang' as the last fasteners were removed....

[1954Etype]

Provided the engine is supported, is it feasible to remove the engine frame with the engine in situ? I am converting a Series 1 from LHD to RHD and with the radiator out, the steering rack off, the carbs off, the master cylinders off etc etc, the temptation to 'tidy up' the engine bay and frame is strong. It would also be reassuring to confimr that the frame is sound.

John, even with the frame removed, you won't be happy that you've managed to get to everything you want. It is pretty easy to drop the engine out of the bottom which will mean you can get to everything you want and check out the frames at the same time.

[johnhcrighton]

Thanks Guys - very helpful feedback.

With a previous car (1954 MG TF) I fell into the 'trap' of letting a modest upgrade develop into a full blown restoration - it seems I have not learnt my lesson!

I conclude it is easy remove the engine or leave the frames alone
cheers

john c

[ChrisC]

I would agree with my fellow posters... With my full restoration I installed the engine and (5 speed) gearbox into teh car first and then fitted the frames around it... BUT I was pretty nervous about the engine only sitting on pieces of wood whilst the frames went on.

It couldn't really go anywhere but I 'felt' nervous for some reason... to be fair I would do it this way again but I am not sure that i would remove the frames merely to repaint the engine bay - taking the engine out (through the bottom) would be my recommendation too