Hugh,
I've been working on cars in my spare time, my whole life.
A few years ago when I lived in town, in a smaller house, I had to swap a short block (engine block) in one of my cars. I took it to a good production shop and they pulled the old engine, removed all the outer pieces from the old engine, heads, manifold, etc., bolted these pieces onto the new short block and re-installed the engine..... Total time and cost.. three weeks and about $1000.
Recently I pulled the engine and transmission on my truck and took them out as one piece. I removed the front clip. (it makes life MUCH easier, and it's relatively quick and easy) just use zip-lock bags and put a piece of paper in the bag indicating what the pieces are and where they go) maybe even a quick diagram if needed. I sent the tranny out to be rebuilt, and while the engine was hanging on the hoist, I cleaned it, painted it, put new seals on, upgraded the distributor, fuel pump, water pump, carb, new hoses, etc, etc.
Now it's bright yellow, chrome, and black, and looks like a million bucks.
I re-installed the engine and tranny as one piece, the motor mounts didn't line up exactly, so I tweaked the truck frame for a week or two, with floor jacks and stands, and got the motor mount bolts nicely aligned. Now I just have to fabricate some linkage for the new carb and kickdown and it will be ready to fire 'er up.
Total time.... 2 years and a couple of months. That's why the frame settled and I had to tweak it.
Total cost ....tranny and converter $850 ....engine upgrade about $700. This was doing all the engine work myself at a leisurely pace, a couple of nights a week and a few weekends here and there, when I had the spare time.
While I was doing this, I also cleaned, prepped, and painted (chassis black) the inside of the front clip, the whole front frame and firewall of the truck, the inside of the cab, under the floors of the cab, and halfway back along the chassis (under the truck) I still have the rear portion and gas tank to finish.
So, maybe 6 more months and then I can move the truck out of the way and get started on the two '57 Imperials, which I will do basically the same thing to them, and maybe a "frame off" on one of them.
This truck upgrade was a good training exercise to get me ready for the Imperials.
It's a BIG BIG undertaking restoring ANY car, especially the Imperials, so don't let it scare you, you can borrow or rent the heavy tools, and ENJOY the hours you spend on these cars, don't let them overwhelm you.
If you have the spare time, It's very therapeutic and the end result is VERY satisfying, especially if you work an office/computer job like I do from 8 to 5 everyday.
And every-so-often I even see some of the cars I restored years ago, still driving around the Portland metro area.
My wife is used to my outbursts when we are driving around.....hearing me yell "Hey look, there's my old convertible" or "Hey, there's my old Cadillac"....... tomorrow I'm going to a car cruise, and then after that I'm taking a friend and his wife out for a surprise cruise for their anniversary in my '58 decorated with streamers and ribbons.
Let me know if I can help you with anything at all.
All the best,
Maybe I should have mentioned this already. Engine and transmission out of
car, professionally rebuilt but only partially reassembled. Both removed
from car as one piece without so much as removing the hood, which I find
impressive.
Simply stated, the question I have is whether it is a huge job to re-install
the rebuilt engine, assuming the same conditions as above, i.e. no removal
of any front end pieces, work done by professionals. I don't think I can
re-install it myself under any circumstances. I have an external bid for a
certain amount to get it rebuilt and re-installed. Money is always an
issue. If the bulk of the work is in the re-installation, then there is not
much to be saved by rebuilding the engine myself.
Hugh
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hugh, 58 Imperial" < imperial58@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:46 AM
Subject: IML: Rebuilding / reinstalling a 392 hemi into a 1958
> This message is directed at folks who have had the pleasure of rebuilding
> and reinstalling their 392 Hemi into a 57 or 58 Imperial. (I suspect this
> is a short list but that's OK.) Much as I appreciate the "I would think"
> stuff I think I need some hands on perspective at this point.
>
> Let's say I want to rebuild my 58's engine and reinstall it into the car
> myself, with some assistance. Which will be the more difficult and / or
> time consuming? Rebuilding it and connecting to the transmission (also
> rebuilt) or reinstalling it into the car and connecting everything up.
>
> I think I can do the lion's share of the rebuild as I've done the top end
> before when it was in the car, so outside would be easier. (Cramped
> spaces, access, all of that.) Reconnecting it to the transmission will be
> fun. I do have access to a first class mechanic to supervise, the same
> guy who helped me five years ago and now he has a little more time.
>
> I think putting the 'whale,' the nickname of the early Hemi, back into the
> car is going to be fraught with problems. Space is tight to say the
> least.
>
> Let me tell you what I am hoping for. If I rebuild the engine essentially
> myself and reconnect it to the transmission, I may be able to persuade the
> trucking company owner to get his guys to do the reinstallation. But what
> I need to know is how long it might take professionals to get it done.
> They cannot allow my car to clog up one of their bays for a long time.
> That's the problem they have right now.
>
> I look forward to getting some information from those more experienced
> than me on these matters.
>
> In passing, the link to "Rebuilding your Hemi" on the main web site does
> not work. I'd sure like to read that, if possible.
>
> Hugh
> 1958 Imperial
> San Antonio, Texas.
>
>
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