Keeping engine level without transmission?

[ChrisCurtin]

Hi,

I dropped the motor into my Capri yesterday :D but had a minor panic when releasing the full weight from the crane the top of the engine hit the firewall. This was after installing the motor mounts completely.

I figured it was due to having the bellhousing installed but no transmission to support the back half. For now I built a box of 2x6's to support the bellhousing.

However as I start looking for parts to do the transmission install, I don't see how to get the engine to not hit the firewall again when I jack up the car to put the transmission & crossmember in.

First, did I do something wrong that made the engine tilt back like that?

Second, what can I do when I go to jack it up? First thought was a block of wood between the valve cover and the firewall.

Thanks

Chris

[MikeFleming]

Yep, it does that. Engine/gearbox mounting is a three-point attachment.

A 2x4 wrapped in a few layers of diaper placed between the rear of the cam cover and the firewall will usually suffice to keep it steady. The slight downward angle at the rear is actually a benefit when installing/removing the gearbox.

[ChrisCurtin]

Thanks Mike.

'few layers of diaper' need to find a neighbor with a baby and ask for a few. It will be fun to tell them why :)

[MikeFleming]

A Sunday newspaper in a pinch!