quick survey question/need advice

[bill]

Im in the midst of installing my engine/trans and I also have the front suspension completely off, cleaned,painted, rebushed, and ready to install. My question is: should I install the motor and trans first, or the suspension first? I see benefits to both and drawbacks, but I figure people on here would know from their experiences what should be done when. Thanks!

 

[patmckinneyracing]

You can do either first as it doesn't really matter. IMO I think putting the front end together first is the best option, that way the car can be on ground level instead of jackstands for when you drop the motor and trans in.

 

[bill]

My car is up on four stands now...level. I was thinking that I need the extra height to help with the swap, and that the tires would be in the way of the hoist too...

 

[JBreu]

You can do either first as it doesn't really matter. IMO I think putting the front end together first is the best option, that way the car can be on ground level instead of jackstands for when you drop the motor and trans in.

X2

 

[joe_padavano]

As noted, you can do it either way, but the suspension is easier to install without the motor in the way. The only downside is that you'll need a spring compressor because you won't have the weight of the drivetrain to compress the front springs.

 

[pontiacgp]

whatever you do install the engine mounts onto the frame before you install the springs ..

 

[oldtinsmith]

I was taught many years ago ( I'm old don't cha know ) that it didn't matter which way you go. Either way you go, only snug up the mounting bolts at the bushing ( including the sway bar mounts ) until the car is sitting on the groud ( or on jack stands that are under the suspension ) . Then you tighten the suspension mounting bolts to torque while the suspension is under load.
I'm not saying that this way is right, just saying tis is how I was taught and why.
Doug

 

[joe_padavano]

I'm not saying that this way is right, just saying tis is how I was taught and why.
Doug

You were taught well, young grasshopper... (yeah, only us old guys get that)

The reason why is that torquing the suspension bolts will lock the rubber bushings in at a certain position. When you move the arms, you are actually flexing the rubber in the bushings. If you lock them in with the suspension at full drop (ie, up on jack stands) then when you put the weight of the car on the wheels, the rubber acts like a torsional spring in addition to the coil spring. The result is that the effective spring rate is stiffer and the car will sit higher than normal. This is actually a frequent question on a lot of automotive boards.

 

[oldtinsmith]

aaaaaah thank-a-you Master joe_padavano!
X2 on every thing you said. When I said to torque with suspension under load, I should have added that doing so ties the bushings in the neutral flex position. That way the bushings don't over flex during bound and rebound.
Doug

 

[bill]

Update...

I got the front end back together, with a little help from my uncle, my girl, and a can of elbow grease. Man...what a PITA!!
I had to make a spring compressor with the 5/8 all thread and some heavy washers. Had to use a jack to manipulate the arm into position and had my girl push the bolt in the hole..lol. the car was swaying back and forth on the jack stands and the jack...I just new it was gonna fall on me...but it didnt! I guess the car gods were looking after me. Now on to the engine and trans. I'll keep ya posted...thanks for the tips!