So I am about to be installing a 350 small block back into a 77 Cutlass supreme that I took it out of a few months ago. The motor has since been shipped off to a machine shop and had all the pistons, rocker arms, cam shaft, all that redone. Is there anyone out there that has some helpful videos and or some advice as to a good place to start? I have to put all the pulley's and what not back on and I'm curious as to what should be put on now and what can wait. I have done a fair amount of wrenching in my time but this is the first time that I will be doing an install basically on mty own. Thank you for not being all judgy and what not.

 

If you removed the engine by yourself, hopefully you took some pictures and made notes of how things were removed, just assemble in reverse order. Do you have the Service manual?

 

There is plenty enough room to put everything on that engine before you install it, including the engine mounts & drive belt ETC... I would also suggest removing the torque converter and replacing the front pump seal at this time. When putting the converter back in put some grease on the hub surface & Spin the converter as you push it back into the front pump.you will hear 2 clicks as it goes back in. MAKE SURE IT IS FULLY SEATED. As far as the pulleys & brackets go it will come back to you as to how it goes. .If not, Joe probably has a manual as to how they go I bet... Good luck..

 

Are the heads on the engine, or is it just the short block? You can easily install the heads after the short block is installed, but if everything is already together no need to disassemble anything for install.

 

Easily install heads after the engine is installed?

 

My back is aching just hearing that statement

 

I removed and installed the heads (56 lbs.) in my 71 98 with the short block in the car.

I've read it's quite difficult to remove the heads and install head studs on the 6.9l IDI diesel in my 86 Ford F250. You actually should use an engine hoist since the heads are so heavy (93 lbs.)

 

Work smart not hard

 

First thing you need to do is get a factory manual. It will list all the critical bolt torque, and have detailed illustrations on how all the brackets go together.

When you’re ready to install bellhousing bolts, don’t just crank them down. Start the bolts, slowly tighten them evenly, and stop occasionally to make sure the torque converter still spins. If it locks up solid, immediately stop and find out why. More than likely the converter isn’t seated in the pump correctly, if you continue to tighten them with the converter not on correctly you can destroy the converter AND the pump, meaning transmission rebuild.