Trouble installing jdm motor

I'm having a heck of a time getting my new jdm motor to mate up to the gear box and install the engine bolts

Any tips or tricks? Can't wait to get you bad boy running again

97 4x4 3rz manual

 

Did you slide the clutch disk and the pilot bearing on the gearbox shaft just to make sure they fit before you mounted the clutch

 

I did the clutch kit is the lce engineering 300hp kit all factory specs etc but I was skeptical so I double checked everything

 

Did you hold the clutch alignment tool centered while you tightened the pressure plate bolts?
I see many people not hold it centered and instead let it hang down while tightening the pressure plate and the clutch alignment is off.

 

I just inserted the clutch alignment tool and torqued it down. Could be possible ill pull the motor back out and take a look

 

This is good advice.

I also like to test the clutch disc on the input shaft of the transmission before I bolt it on.
If it’s hard to slide the disc on while it’s out of the truck, it will be even harder when it’s in.
Even worse would be that the splines don’t match.

 

Ok you sure you don’t have a double dowel pin or maybe a dowel where it doesn’t have a space for the dowel on the other side

 

I just installed the Marlin HD on the 3.4L and I used this technique, even eyeballed the clutch disk vs flywheel centering but still could not slide in the last 1/2" , had to pull it in with bell housing bolts. Basically there is zero tolerance on this and to correct it while installing the clutch disk has to slide a bit to allow the input shaft to slide into the pilot and having an HD clutch makes matters much worse.

 

Just an update I forgot to mention I did get the truck going and the motor properly installed it was in fact the issue with the clutch I had to realign it with the tool perfectly centered have my wife hold it steady while I torque the pressure plate bolts down.

Thanks again everyone!!! truck is running good and I can't wait for more upgrades etc.