Am I missing something ?

[mark_biddle]

I am pretty close to finishing the engine build and have the body on the floor next to the chassis. I was originally going to drop the engine/box in and then put the body on over the top. Reading Dax's manual it says fit the body, then the engine. I would have thought it would be a lot easier engine first. I have a DeDion with 351w/tremmec and extended footwell (D'oh !)
I was going the engine first route mainly to fit the exhaust manifolds and hopefully get around the problems everybody gets with the extended footwells.
I am sure there is a valid reason for the body first method but can't think of it !
Thanks.

[dave]

Fitting the engine first is more trouble than it's worth. With the engine already in you could have major problems lifting the body over the top firstly.
You will need to "Fit out" the engine bay and this is a lot easier without an engine in there (Just climb in with parts and tools and spanner away). Fastening down the body becomes quite difficult with the engine fitted. If the exhause manifolds are also fitted to the engine you will almost certainly find it impossible to fit the body over the top as the body has to be lowered in an unusual way (Not vertically lowered) which means it has to hook over the front and then the rear lowered as the body moves rearwards. (Sounds complicated but it isn't........Unless the engine is already in the chassis).
I am currently building a 351W De Dion myself and having enough bl00dy trouble as it is, (Not being used to ford engines) with the Fuel pump, oil filter and alternator locations................Give me a Chevy any day.

[rich]

Originally Posted by dave

I am currently building a 351W De Dion myself and having enough bl00dy trouble as it is, (Not being used to ford engines) with the Fuel pump, oil filter

Dave there on the other side:finger:

:thumb: Rich

[dave]

The word you are looking for is "Wrong" not "Other" :thumb:

[TINKA]

Originally Posted by dave

The word you are looking for is "Wrong" not "Other" :thumb:

The word you mean Dave is CORRECT:thumb: :angel:

[Cobra289]

Yes tell me that is CORRECT but only for the Continental guy’s?


Dave we have there the steering column!!!!!
So the Bl00dy engine should have a remote oil filter, others……………

Have you “pringle” (try to fit what never would fit) the oil pressure sensor that would not fits and you need an extension?

Bah!! I never should start to mention this, I will get nice replays!

Regards,
Cobra289

[mark_biddle]

Thanks very much for the info, It seems I was missing something ......
Why do all threads seem to end up with a "chat" about what is the right/wrong end for a dizzy !!!.......
Only joking.
Body on first it is then.

[madjohnny]

To be honest I put my engine and box in first, although it is a SBC, and found it to be easy enough to fit out the other bits and pieces in the engine bay.

Have to say though the brake pipes were a bit fiddly!!

Daves done so many though I assume it is slightly easier the other way round other wise he wouldn't be doing it! :thumb:

Good luck which ever way you go.

[soundslegal]

For what it's worth, I'm building a de dion with a 351W and borg warner 6sp g/b, and I've decided putting the engine in first is most definately an easier way to do things!

Fitting the body caused absolutely no problems whatsoever, though you cannot fit the manifolds before the body goes on, as Dave says.

So far, fitting out the engine bay hasn't really been all that difficult with the engine in - sure it's not quite as easy, but planning is much easier with the engine in place.

Another point in favour of having the engine in first is that Dax are a little 'unreliable' on 351W builds - our engine mounts were wrong, and we had to totally modify the chassis to get the gearbox to fit (you should be fine, as you don't have the 6 speed box). Let alone sending the prop shaft back 3 times as it was the wrong length (nothing to do with Dax this time!). I'd have hated to be trying to get the engine in and out some 5 or 6 times if the body was on... nightmare!!

As for problems with 351W's... you HAVE to have a remote filter - this can sit nicely between the CC&AR gubbins, in front of the steering rack. The fuel pump is no problem - fit is same as for chevy, by prop shaft. Alternator is the only problem we have come up against so far, as it seems that the steering column will foul the alternator, so it might need to be moved slightly.

Oh... and I should mention that getting Dax to make your exhaust for a 351W with extended footwell may be a bad idea at present. Ours has been sent back as it isn't even close to fitting - it's a very tight fit!! Fingers crossed...

Simon

:thumb:

[skorpion]

I am also building the dedion with a 351w & tremec...and fitted the body first.:-}
The engine mounts had to move aswell

But I have no problems at all with removing the engine 4 to 5 times...
I hope my propshaft has the proper length...I had to lift the gearbox quite a lot to be able to rotate the propshaft...

Simon,
can you repair your link on your site about the engine bay photos ?
So I can see how you did your remote oilfilter. My oilfilter is sitting on the side...did this 2 hours ago... I wish i saw your solution first
I changed my pulley setup aswell..the alternator is now very low but I am awaiting the new bracket so I didn't check it yet...my measurements gave a positive result.

My headers are custom made so no problems here :-}

Regards,
Skorpion