M/T to 5vz-fe mating tips and tricks needed! Asap

I need suggestions for dropping my 5z-fe into a manual transmission by myself. I'm having an impossible time.

 

Do you mean that you are wanting to convert your auto trans Tacoma into a manual? Can't really tell what you are asking..

 

I've already switched the clutch over to motor. I need help on actually connecting the motor back into the tranny. Which is still in the truck. It's a bitch by myself thought maybe someone has done it before and could share some pointers

 

Takes 2 and a good articulate engine lift. 3 people is a breeze.

 

You pulled the engine and left the Transmission and Transfer case in the truck?

I would never wish trying to install a engine on anyone alone the first time .

The hard part is not knocking the clutch release bearing loose .

2 can manage 3 makes it easy Engine hoist and Floor jack in a dance to things line up perfect

I have installed a few transmissions and transfer cases alone much easier then the engine

 

I got it all lined up, getting the splines to match is the real bitch. I have a few bars of all thread that mat h the transmission bolts. I'm slowly using those to pull it all together.

 

Last summer I did a 5VZ engine swap on an automatic while working alone. I had to improvise a bit without having a 2nd set of hands.

I used an engine support bar to be my second set of hands to change the tilt and angle on the transmission for alignment while I dropped in the engine.



Then I made some extended length guide pins to help align the block with the bell housing during installation.

Position can be changed for convenience. Once I had the block and bell housing properly mated up, I removed the guide pins.



Had to keep the transmission shaft covered until the last minute since I was working outside and it had been raining off and on.

 

How long did that take you? A bit different with a manual transmission. I have to be careful I keep the pilot bearing aligned.
I'm seriously considering pulling the transmission then installing it as a whole unit.

 

The actually drop in occurred during an afternoon. It went relatively quick. As soon as I dropped in the engine, I moved the engine support bar to the engine so I could get the hoist out of the way while I aligned and bolted down the motor mounts. I had to get the hoist out of the way to move the truck back into the garage as soon as possible because we were having daily rains.

 

Not sure if it was mentioned. But lossen the engine mounts as much as you can while having the nuts still attached to the mount bolts so you can manipulate the engine. You'll need a transmission jack. And if you're working alone racket straps to help stabilize the transmission while you rock it into place.
And for the love of God, DON'T use the bellhousing bolts to get that last 1/4' to complete the coupling.

Keep your cool, take frequent breaks. I've been right where you are. Alone, pulling out my hair. It is a world class bitch by yourself.

 

And keeping the transmission still mounted to the truck & not the other way around was an extremely poor choice.

 

Oh damn. I was literally in the process of insulting the tranny. Why should I not use the bell housing bolts and what made that a poor choice

 

I broke a bellhousing once doing it.

 

I am assuming you lined the disk up using the alignment tool, if not, you are never going to get it to go together. If you did use the alignment tool a floor jack put under the trans can lift the trans so that the angles match better.

 

Did you check that the splines match between the clutch parts and transmission before starting .

I have had three clutch kits boxed wrong .

everything bolts to the fly wheel but the transmission does not match.

Any more I check everything .

Another one is the release bearing hangs up only goes so far.

 

I removed the clutch from the motor that was originally on the tacoma. So it all fits. I gotta be going in at a wrong angle. It's hard to manhandle it by myself without breaking something. It's been over two days now and still javent gotten it together.

 

Everything has to be perfect and then it seems like it takes a star alignment too.

CS AR's tips are great, ESPECIALLY being able to manipulate the trans angle from the top when alone. That getting up and down with no progress is soul killing.

It's hard to outdo how much another person can help though.

 

You can't really insult Transexuals these days. They have feelings too.

But I digress...

If you force mate the tranny/ engine via the bellhousing bolts you may end up damaging the bearings in the transmission & or damage your rod bearings etc. Just don't do it.

And manipulating tge engine to ajoin to a stationary transmission is the poor choice. You can move the engine two ways; up and down. With a decent transmission jack you pretty much can move it anyway you want.

A good trick is to spin the output shaft/flange while in gear to move the input shaft to mesh up with the clutch.

 

It’s not hard but will drive you crazy the first time. I’ve done it plenty of times solo. Always clean and lightly grease dowel pins, make triple sure clutch is aligned, inspect pilot bushing ( I was having a hard time with one and I damaged trying to install). Constantly check gap between trans and engine left to right and top to bottom, it must be perfectly square to engage the clutch splines. Last trick is if it’s close turn the engine over slow to help line the splines up. Hope this helps

 

I think I damaged something. I went to start it and its grinding now on something. Wont even start.