Help! Engine installing problem!

[The vast minority]

Having looked all the way through your restoration thread I can see a very dodgy previous nearside chassis leg repair. It could be that everything had to be bent into position to get the engine in after it was all welded up. If you copied all dimensions from this previous repair your problem may well lie in this direction. Look for clues, are the holes in the front panel elongated? I will put my car on ramps later today and take dimensions between the rails for you if this helps but for now your best option is refit the front panel. You could try flexing the rails apart but this wouldn't be the best solution. I would go with the previously brokered idea of a bespoke mounting adaptor plate which would have been my suggestion also.

Why are you using new engine mounting towers? the old ones looked ok. Have you still got them? Compare with the new ones.

I'm heartbroken for you mate after reading through the resto thread and knowing what this means to you.

Best of luck
Al[frame][/frame]

[laneychief]

Ok, thank you. By front plate, do you mean front crossmember?


The old ones wouldn't come off and got ruined in the process sadly! Learned many things doing this resto...

[The vast minority]

Front Panel = thing that carries the radiator and grille. get this in and see how it aligns with everything.
You could also fabricate new engine mountings. This isn't as difficult as it sounds.


Al

[martin418]

i take it the gearbox cross member went in ok, if so given the chassi rails are straight and run parallel the distance between the rails at the gearbox member should be the same all the way to the front ,

[laneychief]

Yeh it did! It took a bit of wiggling over cables and stuff but yeh it's in!

On my way to the garage now to try things out, thank you for all your help, I've got wifi down there so I'll be in touch, keep the help coming!


Spoke to my wife to be last night, and she said if I can get it sorted, not to worry about painting it, have it for the wedding an absurd mish mash of bad paint, and then use the car as a guest book! Haha, ridiculous but I've got all the new paint and gear ready to go over it after the wedding, so if I concentrate on getting it on the road just to drive her there, it will be individual at least!

[panky]

That's the spirit, I love the idea of a Minor guest book

[bmcecosse]

Why are you using 'new' engine towers? That's a most unusual thing to renew - and there's no saying how well they have been made. I would suspect them as being the main culprit.

[laneychief]

Just had a look at old towers and they are savalagable, going to go down that route. Keep you informed.

[bmcecosse]

Worth a try! Assemble loosely - and then tighten it all down once all the bolts are in place.

[laneychief]

It's a couple of Mm out now rather than a mile, with wiggling, lifting, tightening and (hammering ) it's almost almost there.

Coffee break, regain composure then recommence attack.

[TFM150K]

I am sat here surrounded by engine towers and they are ALL different shapes and heights - and they are all original! Use the old ones and, so long as the rubbers are not completely shot, use the old rubber blocks for now cos they will have more "give" in them - good luck!

[andypocock]

I wouldn't expect it to drop into place with new rubbers. The last couple of mm is always a bit of a squeeze. Sounds like you are going to be fine.

Andy

[TFM150K]

....and you had got the towers the right way round!

[martin418]

great news , it's another case of never assume the new part is correct

[laneychief]

To all,

Thank you.[frame][/frame]

[aupickup]

well done

[panky]

Well done that man

[The vast minority]

Thank goodness for that. Now be sure to make the supplier aware that the parts were incorrect.

Al

[laneychief]

Ah yes. Good idea!

Prepare for more threads for reassembly help all, I'll try and keep calm...

[panky]

Time to teach Loki to fetch beer