Engine Reinstallation

alfaboy85 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 03:35 PM

So my engine is all clean and ready to go back in but I'm faced with a dilemma: Do I mate the engine and transmission now and remove the steering rod that blocks me from putting back in as one piece or do I put the engine in and mount the trans from under the car. I would rather do it in one piece to save the hassle of the main bolts and dealing with the firewall and intake plenum blocking me, but I worry about how difficult it will be to remove those old nuts and cotter pins. Any suggestions or experiances you guys can share?

**Tifosi** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 03:52 PM

If you've got the option of putting it all in in one lump, I'd suggest going that route myself.

If the tie rod ends on the center link (and outer ends) are that bad off, it might actually be time to consider replacing them as a matter of course. (which just happens to be an easier task with the engine and trans out anyway

)

alfaboy85 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 04:17 PM

well its not that they are bad its the hardware holding them in thats a little rusty. So its better to put it back in as one piece? I was gonna replace all the suspension bushings anyways so I guess I need to get to work on those in the middle. Does anyone know where to buy the replacement hardware because I've looked at my hardware store here and they dont have those special nuts and bolts?

Joe Papa Sr · #4 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 05:47 PM

I doubt a hardware store will suffice for your replacement needs. Have you looked at the alfa suppliers catalogs/websites? There are many, incl some in Cal. Also, Centerline , Alfa ricambi, IAP, Vicks, DiFatta, etc.
Joe

**ghnl** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 05:47 PM

If you want to move the center tie rod out of the way without removing the tie rod ends (thus ruining your alignment) you can unbolt the idler assembly (three bolts). That will lower the center tir rod down out of the way.

alfaboy85 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 06:44 PM

so the three bolts youre talking about are the ones by the steering box right? Oh and I have looked through IAP and centerlines catalog and they dont have the nuts and bolts just the bushings, i'm going to call and talk to them tomorrow though then we'll see what happens

**ghnl** · #7 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 07:31 PM

On the opposite side from the steering box is the idler assembly. In the exploded diagram below part #1 is bolted to the body by three bolts #7.

Joe Papa Sr · #8 (**permalink**) 01-30-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfaboy85

so the three bolts youre talking about are the ones by the steering box right? Oh and I have looked through IAP and centerlines catalog and they dont have the nuts and bolts just the bushings, i'm going to call and talk to them tomorrow though then we'll see what happens