Installing the engine or rear axle first

[NealW]

I have spent the past couple of weeks putting together the pieces of our restored 1911 T touring car. This is the second frame up restoration that I've done, and I have to admit it is a lot more fun putting together clean, painted parts than taking apart a grimy old parts!

Anyway, last week it was time to install the engine. Like the first project, I followed the black bible and got it on all four wheels before installing the engine. One of my sons who helped the last time came over to help me again. Even with two people, getting the U joint and engine in the right spot for it to go together can be a bit of a challenge. After that was done, I put gear oil in the rear axle and found that someone, who shall remain nameless, didn't seal up the two housing halves and consequently started getting drips from it.

The next day I pulled the rear axle to address the leak issue and once finished, it was time to put the rear axle back on. I did this by myself and could not believe how much easier it was to install the rear axle into the back end of the installed engine instead of installing the engine onto a rear axle already installed. I realize that it is often the case where only the engine needs to come out of the car, but if both the rear axle and engine are out of your T, save yourself some time and aggravation and install the engine first!

[John kuehn]

I did it the way Ford did it. I’m guessing he did it that way to keep things rolling along. I thought it would work that way since I was working by myself. A rolling chassis then the engine would go in next. BUT these days most of us are in our garage and working on our car as time permits. I put my cars together chassis then engine as Ford did it.We aren’t on a time schedule so if it works the way you did it I don’t think Ford would be caring about it now or would anybody else. Your car looks great and it will be a nice one!

[speedytinc]

I find that having 1 wheel off the ground makes the alignment easy to tweek when putting the engine back in. (you didnt mention if you did)
May be partly "luck". I have had them slip in real easy by myself & had a minor fight with or without help.
I have dont quite a few rear end re installs. It usually goes in fast & easy, but both wheels are off the ground.

[TWrenn]

Same here Speedy. I've had 5 engines out, and only the first two did I have help. Two were early cars where I took out the firewall and certainly that helps. But I had the Fordor out TWICE alone, and all I use is some wire and floor jack to line up the shaft to the engine and it slides right in. Just takes patience and definitely wheel(s) off the ground to rotate that cussed U joint!

[Norman Kling]

It depends on what tool you are using for the engine. If you have a rolling engine hoist, you can move the engine to the right place to lower into the chassis. But if you are using a hoist hanging from the rafters of your garage, you need the rear wheels to move the chassis under the engine.
Norm

[NealW]

I find that having 1 wheel off the ground makes the alignment easy to tweek when putting the engine back in. (you didnt mention if you did)

Yes I had both wheels off the ground and it made rotating the U joint easy. I just found that it is easier to maneuver the driveshaft into a fixed engine than maneuvering the engine hanging from the engine lift into the U joint. With two people putting the engine in certainly makes it easier.

[walber]

I almost always work by myself with a fixed hook in my garage ceiling rather than a portable hoist. I've done it both ways and If both are out, the engine goes in first and then I slide the rear axle in. Working by myself it's far easier to align the front of the rear axle than to jostle the engine about.

[Steve Jelf]

I've done it both ways, and both ways it's crap shoot. Sometimes it's an exasperating struggle, and sometimes the U-joint slides in slicker'n snot on the first try. There's a special tool that helps.

[TRDxB2]

A lot too depends on how many people are helping. One on the engine hoist another on the u-joint. If just you drop the engine in place and pull the ball cap/u-joint into place (use a come-a-longif you have to) sounds much simpler

[John kuehn]

Here is one way to install a T engine by yourself if your brave enough!
The guy in the picture was a friend of Bruce McCalley who’s is a big reason we have T info and the MTFCA today. They parted ways for some reason.
Looks like he’s doing it with a rolling chassis. As the writer says it’s a snap !

[Mark Gregush]

John, I tried the way shown in the photos, once and only once. Getting it onto its snout was not bad, it was the setting it down that was the issue. My back did not like that at all!