Refitting engine

[wardy]

Thanks everyone - I have a fairly complete rolling chassis and a fairly complete engine so will have to do it the hard way! The issue is compounded by lockdown as normally I'd seek assistance. May have to hire a hoist or block and tackle for the day to be safe

[AdrianS]

I put the bottom end into the frame the other day. Stood it on some blocks of wood adjacent to the frame with the rear plates loosely attached. Managed to get one arm around the top tube and with both hands managed to lift into place. A little awkward but doable. The bottom end is heavy enough.. I don't think I would have any chance with a complete engine on my own! Would be a lot easier without the top tube! I still think it would be awkward even with a hoist to do it single handed.

[wardy]

May wait for assistance. Guess I'm not the only one being held up by lockdown!

[Mike Farmer]

 

Just spoke to a "man I know" and asked hime how we did it once before.
Thus: -

[Mike Farmer]

 
You notice that owing to my total lack of expertise I never posted all of my message yesterday. So thus: -
For two fellas.
Take a stout piece of pipe about 30mm OD by about 4' in length. Wrap a piece of cardboard or towel or something softish half way along. Put the bar athwart the engine and fix it in place at rear of cylinders at casing level. You can do this by tying it with a rope or belt etc around the front below the level of the bottom fins.
Pass one end of the bar through the frame, lift from both ends and it is dead simple to ease it into place. Put the front into position first with any old long bar/screw driver etc. Then lower the rear into its normal pos. AND it keeps your fingers intact.
You can do a complete engine but there isn't a lot of wiggle room.

Mike

[DJC]

Regarding my previous post where I proposed laying the frame on its side and lowering the engine in - forget it ! The engine is far too heavy to mahandle when its fully built (though still without barrel and head). Far easier to lay the engine on its side (primary side down) and lower the frame over over it. A second pair of hands is a must though.
Hope this helps somebody.
DJC