Ok guys,
I have seen a bunch of you install engine from the bottom and I am trying to plan putting my engine trans in this too. I ordered snowmobile dollys to use. I have a engine hoist. I have a couple of questions though.

1 How heavy is the front of a 1971 Dodge challenger?
2 The bumper/grill is on the car. Can I get square tube steel, and attach it the holes in the frame just in front of the k member, then attach the hoist to the center of that to lift?
3 It seem like I have to lift the front very high. Is there any problems lifting the car this high? Like the hoist wont go high enough, or attaching like I said above The angle of the hoist will hit the front grill support or the rear of the car hits the ground?

The car is a 1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible and the engine is a 440 6 pack. Any help / thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Sanman68

I ain't never done a bottom eng install but I have jacked the front way up with a hoist for other issues & I dont see a problem bolting on a transverse piece of stout metal then hooking the hoist chain to that & I would bolt the chain to each side then run the chains up to the hoist for a more stable lifting. I would take the grill and any other potential interference item off & on a regular eng install (from the top) I remove EVERYTHING such as steering column/master cyl which some dont apply to this situation but just saying. remove more items than you think you need to & that will be the exact amt to have out of the way.

This is how I do it.

I made a simple bar that fits in the location you described. I reinforced a few furniture dollies to roll the engine and trans on.

The cherry picker works great for this technique without having to remove the bumper & grill. The last picture is the 408 Magnum from my '68 on the dollies. I didn't have to remove the bumper or grill for that install either.

This was the first time in nearly 40 years that I didn't drop the engine in from the top. I'll never do it the old way again.

I did this in my garage with an 8" ceiling by myself.

I like your lifting bracket. That's what I had I mind.


Thanks
Sanman

It was made from some scrap metal I had laying around. The bolts keep it from moving once its in place.

I got the engine installed from the bottom. Thanks for all your help. I added a video link. It went in pretty easy.


Sanman68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nam9tta49q8&t=20s

In the first picture, the engine is pointing the wrong way. I hope that you correct this because I don't know how many modifications you'd have to make to get it to fit in there that way.

Good luck.

I install mine with the rear wheels on the ground. With the engine dolly I use and the lift holding the car I've found it easier to install the trans cross member on the trans first and then use that as your first point of contact as the body is bring lowered down. Put those 4 bolts in and that helps align everything else. Come down a little lower and catch the 2 rear K frame bolts and then down a little more for the front two.
Tighten the 4 K frame bolts and then use the lift to bring the car back up and set on jack stands.
It literally takes 10-15 minutes.

US Cartools lift brackets and engine dolley

2

The US tools dolly and lift setup are awesome. If you have the money or are going to do lots of cars get the US tool dolly and lift brackets.

But if you are only doing 1 car (or don't have the cash like me) it can be done for cheap. The 36" metal bar I got for $26 from the local metal store and I made the cart for about $25. The side benefit is I didn't have to remove the bumper and grill.

With your advise I got this done and appreciate all the help. The engine went it easy without damaging anything. It reduces the amount of time wrenching over the fenders cause most everything is installed already. I had never installed a engine like this before and wanted to show somebody else that it can be done.

Thanks
Sanman68

How do you guys get the rear high enough to get the tires up on blocks?

A Challenger front end wo engine/Fenders/grill/bumper is light enough I was able to pick it up by myself. So an assembled front end cant be but 200-300 pounds more.....

There's no need to raise the rear IMHO.

I used a floor jack. Nothing complicated. I may not have needed the blocks but I thought I wouldn't need to raise the car as high if I used them. It also made hooking up the crewmember, exhaust and other stuff easier.

Did you install it the way it looked in the picture ?

Nice job! Way cool that you did it without taking the front of the car apart too.

The next one I do I want to give this method a try. Sure looks easier than wrestling it in from the top while trying to get the headers to fit, etc.

That's pretty much the same way I did it. Good job

Dang Scott, you do some impressive work. Are you going to Spring Fling & Mopar Track Day at Willow Springs this year?