For those who have reinstalled a pentastar - lower manifold before or after?

[AZ_Adventure_Clicks]

I read in one of the JL forums that removal of the motor is much easier with the lower manifold removed because the top two bellhousing bolts are a royal beach to access with it in place. Of course, I read that after pulling my motor. I'm about to install a long block but I'm still swapping stuff over to the new motor.
For those of you who have done this, is it better to wait until the motor is in the engine bay before installing the manifold?
Thanks!

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[Minty JL]

Well based on the information you just proved, sounds like you answered your own question unless I'm missing something.

With every motor swap I've done over the last 30+ years, I would install the long block. Once the bell housing bolts are in place, then I'd I stall the intake assembly. Installing after normally makes installing injectors and fuel rails easier.

Why I love LS motors

 

[AZ_Adventure_Clicks]

Well based on the information you just proved, sounds like you answered your own question unless I'm missing something.

With every motor swap I've done over the last 30+ years, I would install the long block. Once the bell housing bolts are in place, then I'd I stall the intake assembly. Installing after normally makes installing injectors and fuel rails easier.

Why I love LS motors

I was thinking along those lines but was hoping someone like yourself would chime in and confirm.
I've not done a motor install in about 20 years and then it was an SBC in a J10. Much different than working on this thing.
Thanks!

 

[Charles 236]

Try this also, or maybe instead: remove the engine mount isolators and then lower the engine. The engine has to be lifted out, but this gains space to access other stuff on the back of the engine, such as grounds and wiring harness guides.

 

[AZ_Adventure_Clicks]

Try this also, or maybe instead: remove the engine mount isolators and then lower the engine. The engine has to be lifted out, but this gains space to access other stuff on the back of the engine, such as grounds and wiring harness guides.

That's a good idea also. There's really almost zero space between the back of the motor and the firewall to work with. Thank you.

 

[Charles 236]

I have lost count of how many engines I have installed over the years. The JL and JT have a lot of stuff packed into that area over the bell housing. Anything that eases access to that area is helpful. Good luck.

 

[AZ_Adventure_Clicks]

I had a lot of angst wondering how I was going to get all that stuff back in there! It's bad enough every electrical connector feels like unlocking the Egyptian tomb like Indiana Jones... Then they stuff all that crap behind the motor for extra fun.. @&_#!!

 

[Charles 236]

Yep. The modern day automotive engineer sees an unfilled space and says "What can I put in that space that needs to be accessed?" I believe that if the engineers could shrink wrap the vehicle around the power train they would. Oops, they already have, just work on a PT Cruiser, the front half was a Neon before they washed it in hot water and dried it, shrinking everything around the engine and transmission.

 

[Hootbro]

Yep. The modern day automotive engineer sees an unfilled space and says "What can I put in that space that needs to be accessed?" I believe that if the engineers could shrink wrap the vehicle around the power train they would. Oops, they already have, just work on a PT Cruiser, the front half was a Neon before they washed it in hot water and dried it, shrinking everything around the engine and transmission.

Rarely does the individual engineer have full input in what they are designing. Most engineers are given the box and space they have to work in already defined for them and they have to work in that space to meet the performance goals.

Everything is a compromise with cost and ease of production having a higher priority than ease of maintenance unless the customer wants to pay for that having a higher priority.

 

[Lost1wing]

Yep. The modern day automotive engineer sees an unfilled space and says "What can I put in that space that needs to be accessed?" I believe that if the engineers could shrink wrap the vehicle around the power train they would. Oops, they already have, just work on a PT Cruiser, the front half was a Neon before they washed it in hot water and dried it, shrinking everything around the engine and transmission.

Friends don't let friends drive PT Cruisers. I don't personally don't know anyone with a PT Cruiser. I do see alot of them identifying as yard ornaments at the trailer park. I guess the scrapyards don't even want them.

 

[Charles 236]

Friends don't let friends drive PT Cruisers. I don't personally don't know anyone with a PT Cruiser. I do see alot of them identifying as yard ornaments at the trailer park. I guess the scrapyards don't even want them.

I couldn't avoid them, working in the dealership has its own set of disadvantages. But at least they were next of kin to the Neon, so once you got down to the drive train it was simple enough. But I have no personal use for the Loser.

 

[Minty JL]

I had a lot of angst wondering how I was going to get all that stuff back in there! It's bad enough every electrical connector feels like unlocking the Egyptian tomb like Indiana Jones... Then they stuff all that crap behind the motor for extra fun.. @&_#!!

Some Yellow painters tape and a Sharpie, tag both sides of the connects with a letter or number and the reassembly will be easy peasy. i have to do that with BMWs because there is 9 million connectors

 

[Lost1wing]

Some Yellow painters tape and a Sharpie, tag both sides of the connects with a letter or number and the reassembly will be easy peasy. i have to do that with BMWs because there is 9 million connectors

Do you remember older BMWs with vacuum controlled actuators? The tubes were actually numbered. I was lucky enough to replace an intake manifold while it was still fairly new. You cold still read the numbers on the tubes.

 

[Minty JL]

Do you remember older BMWs with vacuum controlled actuators? The tubes were actually numbered. I was lucky enough to replace an intake manifold while it was still fairly new. You cold still read the numbers on the tubes.

Most of the BMWs I worked on were from the E46/E39

 

[Lost1wing]

Most of the BMWs I worked on were from the E46/E39

I want to say it was the E30 years.

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