Installing engine from bottom with headers

[Sixpactogo]

I'm about to drop my small block and auto trans and swap in my fresh magnum 360 with headers on. The car is on a 2 post lift. Was thinking I need to build a rolling jig of sorts but it looks like some just use a heavy duty moving dolly. The idea is to drop engine/trans. Separate trans. Lift off LA engine. Drop on Magnum. Mate trans and install. Not seeing how there is enough room to get to the K member and trans cross member bolts using dolly.

In my case, my car dolly framework was high enough to work underneath. I lifted the body with my cherry picker high enough to roll the engine trans assembly under. I then dropped the body down and used the cherry picker to lift the engine and a floor jack under the transmission to get it raised up and in place. Since you have a lift, you will probably need a higher dolly set-up to allow room to work underneath.

 

[6872n73]

I think Chris birdsong on his YouTube channel junk her up has a video of him doing this exact task with just an engine hoist lifting the car body up.

 

[themechanic]

I think Chris birdsong on his YouTube channel junk her up has a video of him doing this exact task with just an engine hoist lifting the car body up.

If that's not enough, here's this one.

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[Darter6]

some just use a heavy duty moving dolly.

I used 2 of them.One under the k frame/engine and one under the tranny. 4 wheel swivels on both. The Harbor Freight 18'' wood ones work really good rated at 1000 lbs. Plus you can screw on extra wood to make it even stronger and or make a better cradle. I figured for $20 for 2 on sale why not try 'um.

 

[CoronetDarter]

Installed the engine and trans with Dougs headers from the bottom. Only way to go, especially if you were rebuilding the front end anyway.
I also used a cherry picker to raise the front of the car and formed some crude wooden cutouts, perched on top of two furniture dollies to rest the drivetrain on. Took less than two hours for the install.

 

[Sixpactogo]

Plenty of ways to skin that particular cat using what you have on hand. Just gotta make sure of the "Safety First" motto.

 

[hunt2elk]

Finished getting this one 5 minutes ago, took about 20 minutes. Motor, bell housing, trans, shifter, TTI headers, and fan. Slips right in.

 

[mpro69rr]

I installed my 383 from the bottom with TTI headers and it was a breeze! I did it real slow being careful not to scratch anything. I bought one of those front bumper lift bars and used my engine hoist to lift the car, slide the motor in and lower it, very simple!