It has begun...

[bszopi]

Well, I guess you could say that it is in... Not really, but at least its in the bay! Trying to figure out just how its going to sit in there. I don't think its back far enough yet, but I am still leary on the engine mounts, as well as the oil pan. Either way, at least I can start trying to figure out the engine mounts for it.

[bob442]

Wow, theres no room for a motor like that in that engine bay! LOL

[Superdave]

weird, 3x00swap.com won't resolve for me. tried to ping and tracert and i just get an unknown host...

[bszopi]

Wow, that's wierd. Still working for me. Maybe try again today?

[ForcedFirebird]

The engine isn't near far back enough

Check out the pics of my 3500 mock up engine in my Firebird to get an idea of the distance from the back of the heads to the firewall.

Looks like you can go lower and rearward (also will help with weight dist).

EDIT: Those 3 and 4 bolt pattern bosses near the front of the motor should line up the mount pads on the frame.

[Superdave]

I'm at work and the pics are showing up now.

Yep, you'll want that much further back. maybe 1-2" off the firewall for sensor and wire clearance.

looks nice though, you'll have a ton of room to work on it!

[bszopi]

Looks like I'm gonna have to take the bumper off in order to get it back any further. Not sure if that will happen today or not.

[ForcedFirebird]

Can you support it from underneath and roll the car forward? Some bumpers are a pain...

Actually my Firebird has a long nose, and I take a wheel off and use the hoist on the side of the car.

[bszopi]

If I did it from the side, I'd probably have to take off the hood. I'll have to see if I can support it from the ground and try moving the car forward instead.

[ForcedFirebird]

Judging by the pic, if you shortened the chain on the engine and went from the side, you might be ok. I remember I had to have the chain taught before clipping it on the hook. Your hood should be able to go much higher, also, just need to find a way to properly support it. I always have to open hoods extra when removing them, but have even done FWD that way when the hoist is close to the hood liner.

[bszopi]

I had to prop up the hood more while getting the engine in originally (hence the 2x2 in the first pic). Anyway, ended up taking off the bumper (had my 3yr old helping )...





And now for the results... Looks like a custom oil pan is gonna be in order. Yea! It'll give John something else to do in his spare time.

[pocket-rocket]

Looking nice man! Do you have some extra old blankets? It would be a shame to scratch such a nice paint job up during mock-up.

[bszopi]

I need to get something in there to protect the paint. I know I already scraped it a little where the radiator mounts as I was trying to get the engine in. Might have to look around for something I can toss inside the bay, or head over to goodwill or the dollar store and pick up some cheap blankets. Good idea!

[Charless1]

Goodwill Donation Box FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TiredGXP]

Based on the pics, it looks like you might be doing a bit of surgery to the firewall.

Hmmm, front mid engine...