With the trans connected to the engine, an engine leveller is a must... you need to wind some big angles into the assembly to feed it in and the ability to tweak the angle whilst suspended is a God-send!
Quick tip, cut-up pool noodles do a great job at protecting against any bumps and scratches...
Firstly, the stock Holden alternator location is too low and the alternator fouls on the engine cross member. I was expecting this to be the case and moved the engine as far forward on the adapter plates to see if I could get the alternator to sit in front of it, but to no avail.
Time to order an ancillary drive relocation kit. I have gone with Holley's version...
Holley 20-135 (Accessory Drive Bracket)
Holley 21-2 (Spacer)
Holley 198-200 (PS Reservoir)
Secondly, the engine mount adapter plates are not thick enough to lift the sump above the engine cross member.
This shows the engine mount misalignment with the driver's side engine mount bolt in place (so the engine is tilted)...
I'll source some steel to shim the engine mount closer to the pedestal.
Thirdly, the servo on the 4L65E juuust touches the trans tunnel...
Some massaging with a "gentle persuader" is required to ensure there is a nice amount of clearance.
Fourthly, the driver's side header heat shield juuust touches the steering box and the exhaust dumps onto the pitman arm. We will need to move the engine back on the engine mount adapter plates to clear this.
Thankfully there is pretty good clearance between the coil packs and the master cylinder. The closest interference is a peg/pedestal for the original Holden engine cover (which we won't be using) and will be removed if required...
The good news is the gearbox crossmember looks to be in a very similar position to standard, so it looks like very little modification is required (famous last words?).
To end the night, we pulled the engine back out, ready for the required mods.
J
