Gavsy62 Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 Am building a 420Caterham have advised and confirmed to install the gearbox first then attached the engine to the gearbox.Has anyone done it this way? I have only seen gearbox bolted to engine and then both lowered in.Advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 7, 2022 Member Share Posted March 7, 2022 What version of the Assembly Guide do you have, please?The latest pictorial version I have is 2.1 and that includes:Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavsy62 Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 Yes that is the guide I have 2.1 still with all the errors and omissions! advised by Caterham to do it separately as that is how they do it in the factory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 7, 2022 Member Share Posted March 7, 2022 ThanksJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 You can go both ways (so to speak)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavsy62 Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 Which is the easiest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 Thats a bit like asking which is the best gearbox oil. Everyone will have an opinion on which way is best. If Caterham do them separately on the latest builds (day in day out) I'd be inclined to go current best practice. I have a '98 K series and have always done engine and box together (7 or 8 times now!) always with a machine mart load leveler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Brown Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 Done both but prefer fitting as an assembly as can be difficult aligning splines on gearbox shaft to the flywheel when under the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 I've done the job both ways and always found the box/engine as a unit easier, especially if the car is at a good height and you have a decent hoist and load leveller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted March 9, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted March 9, 2022 It is well & good for CC to say they fit engine to pre fitted gear box but they have all the resources & experience to make the job seamless.Potentially you could find attaching the the engine to a pre fitted gear box a bit of a struggle. Depends on how high the car is off the ground, the number of socket extensions & wobbly adaptors or how dexterous you are. IMO the best way is to fit the Engine/gear box assembly. Use a balance bar to get the angle of dangle correct & it should be straight forward. Using chains may mean try it & see with subsequent adjustments of the chain. Height of the chassis off the ground is key. About 18" is good. the higher the better but one must factor in stability for safety purposes.When fitting my engine/gearbox I attached all four wheels JIC the chassis became disturbed.Don't forget to protect the top front chassis rails as it is a close thing when dropping down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_w Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 Another vote for the adjustable load leveller/balance bar/angle of the dangle tool which I've found makes it way way easier. I have one you can borrow if you are near London (it's currently in South London, but could easily be picked up from N4 as well) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 9, 2022 Member Share Posted March 9, 2022 And several other levellers (and cranes) in the Equipment Register.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavsy62 Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 Thanks all! I have a crane and a leveler that I got from another member who has just built a 420R and is ready to go to work! As soon as I am sure what to do! Looking like engine and gearbox together ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Brown Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 Use pipe lagging to protect the chassis tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 IME, installing engine/gearbox as a unit works best for amateur builders (and repairers). I can see that, if you have a proper lift and can gain easy access under the car, installing the gearbox first may well be the preferred option, but I suspect few of us have that luxury.This Guide may be of help to you.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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