1969 280sl engine installation tips

[edwardburak@erols.com]

I recently installed a motor and transmission in a 1969 280sl. I did it with the transmission and engine connected.

I had a variable-angle adapter for my engine hoist, but it was still difficult getting everything lined up.

What is the best advice, install the two together or one by one?

If installing them separately is the best route, would you go trans first?

I have another installation I will be doing in the near future.
thanks

[Cees Klumper]

Best I recall (this was around 2004) I installed my rebuilt engine together with the transmission and I did not have an 'angle-widget' but it went in fairly uneventfully anyway.

[Benz Dr.]

We install them connected together.

[MikeSimon]

If you hook the engine up to the lift the way it is supposed to, the two units together will tilt with the transmission down in the back and go in and out fairly easy.

[Benz Dr.]

You need about a 45-degree angle as the engine is placed into the bay. I place the back of the trans on a small floor jack so that the assembly can move backward. Once the engine clears the front nose panel then we drop the front of the engine until it's level. Raise or lower the floor jack so that the drag link is cleared and then fit the engine mount arms to the engine mounts. I only attach the manifolds after I have the starter wires hooked up and the throttle linkage in place. Do not install any throttle linkage until you have the engine placed or you can bend parts or damage the aluminum bearings on the firewall.
I tend to leave the grill screens off until I have the engine in. The power steering pump can get caught on the screen and easily damage it.       

[col320ce]

I'm doing mine tomorrow ... I took it out from underneath and will pop it in the same way as my subframe has all its bits disconnected.  I'll take pictures of my Laurel and Hardy sketch tomorrow if you like.  I also don't have an engine lift/stand and didn't want to get one for one use but I have a hoist so that was part of my reasoning for doing it this way.

[Shvegel]

Transmissions are so light it is really not hard at all to pop it up later.

[FresnoBob]

I have done both ways and highly recommend installing them attached together.  It is very difficult to install at the upper bolts connecting the transmission to the engine once the engine is installed.  Slow and easy works well!

[Leester]

I did mine bolted together earlier this year. I second leaving throttle linkage out. If your driveshaft is still in and connected at rear, make sure its out of the way, my transmission mounting bracket snagged mine and got a bit hung up - not a disaster but for sure a PITA. Or leave out the mounting bracket - its easy to install afterwards.

[dirkbalter]

I have this task ahead of me. Did you guys install the unit with the manifolds (intake / exhaust) bolted on? Or after installation? Same question for the pump?

[edwardburak@erols.com]

I installed mine with both the intake and exhaust manifolds mounted. Those were not a difficulty for me. I had trouble getting the entire engine and trans at the right angle and keeping the valve cover from hitting the firewall.

thanks for the help

[Leester]

I installed with intake and exhaust manifold not installed. Pump? I installed with FIP installed but water pump not installed, power steering pump not installed. I would leave off the bracket for the transmission mount (in my case standard trans) and make sure your driveshaft is well out of the way.

I too had a problem with the valve cover hitting the firewall and ended up putting padding between them. Even with that I put a small dimple on the firewall. Getting the "angle of the dangle" just right is tricky.   

[dirkbalter]

Thank you both.
Based an that, I guess it would make sense to keep the valve cover off to gain an inch or two.
I have my engine / trans on a dolly right now and I am fitting all the components prior to installation to insure everything is sound. Naturally, I only want to take off as little as necessary afterwards.

[mikeswplt]

What lift points did you use to hoist your engine? I’m getting ready to install my engine/transmission back into my 250SL.

[dirkbalter]

Take a look at the pictures. Make sure you can get high enough if you use a cherry picker. My buddy JonnyC can up to help. Great to have two people looking.
It went surprisingly smooth and fast.

[mikeswplt]

Thanks for the pictures Dirk, just what I was looking for. Engine looks beautiful, just got mine back from
Metric Motors.

[dirkbalter]

Thanks for the pictures Dirk, just what I was looking for. Engine looks beautiful, just got mine back from
Metric Motors.

Yup, mine is from Metric too. He does a nice job. Make sure (as mentioned above) you can tilt the engine enough. A second person is very helpful.
Good luck