98 Corolla motor replacement help... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

poynter · 11-08-2011, 08:06 AM

Im replacing the motor in a 98 corolla. I removed the tranny and motor together but am installing them separate. I already have the tranny in and bolted up to two motor mounts and the motor in place but cant seem to get it together.
I installed the torque converter on the flywheel before putting the motor in the bay.
I can get one bolt on the top and one on the back to line up and start to thread but I cant get the bottom to get close enough to start a bolt.

Engine is on a hoist and tranny is on two mounts and a jack to it has some wiggle room.
I have tried shaking the shit out of the motor and it will not slide in there.
Ive never really worked on automatics before so do I need to have it in neutral?
Any tips on how to make this happen?

landphil · 11-08-2011, 11:08 PM

The torque convertor will be "indexed" to drive the transmission oil pump, I'm not sure if the "index" is splined, a slotted drive lug, or what exactly. You can try barring the engine over to line up the index, but most likely it would be easiest to put the T/C in the transmission with the index lined up, then align the T/C with the flex plate when mating up the engine. Don't force it, at least not until you are pulling in the dowels, and go very lightly even there. Use light pressure on a stubby wrench if you have one.

poynter · 11-09-2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landphil

The torque convertor will be "indexed" to drive the transmission oil pump, I'm not sure if the "index" is splined, a slotted drive lug, or what exactly. You can try barring the engine over to line up the index, but most likely it would be easiest to put the T/C in the transmission with the index lined up, then align the T/C with the flex plate when mating up the engine. Don't force it, at least not until you are pulling in the dowels, and go very lightly even there. Use light pressure on a stubby wrench if you have one.

Ive had a few people tell me to install the TC on the input shaft first so I guess thats what I will be doing this weekend. Hopefully Ive not messed anything up trying to do it the wrong way. I didnt see anything on the TC to indicate that it was supposed to be lined up a certain way so Im guessing the splines are what drives the pump. I think I can just back the motor up a bit in the bay and get under it and to get the TC bolts out.

Buurin · 11-09-2011, 09:27 PM

FSM points to installing TC on transmission first. There is an access panel on the engine that can be removed to access the 6 bolts mating flex plate (takes the place of a flywheel in a car with manual) to the TC. Hopefully you marked their relative position. Turn the TC until one bolt hole is at about 6 o'clock position so you can get at it through the access hole. Then bolt the transmission bellhousing to engine. Then from underside the engine, through the hole, put in the first bolt. Torque. Bar the engine over until the next hole becomes accessible. Repeat until all 6 bolts are in.

poynter · 11-10-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buurin

FSM points to installing TC on transmission first. There is an access panel on the engine that can be removed to access the 6 bolts mating flex plate (takes the place of a flywheel in a car with manual) to the TC. Hopefully you marked their relative position. Turn the TC until one bolt hole is at about 6 o'clock position so you can get at it through the access hole. Then bolt the transmission bellhousing to engine. Then from underside the engine, through the hole, put in the first bolt. Torque. Bar the engine over until the next hole becomes accessible. Repeat until all 6 bolts are in.

What do you mean marked their relative position? I removed the TC from a bad motor and installed it on a junk yard motor. I couldnt find any kind of markings or anything to indicate that it had to be oriented a certain way.

After some help from this board I should be able to finish this thing up this weekend.

landphil · 11-10-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poynter

What do you mean marked their relative position? I removed the TC from a bad motor and installed it on a junk yard motor. I couldnt find any kind of markings or anything to indicate that it had to be oriented a certain way.

There is no need to "time" the T/C to the engine, I think what Buurin means is to locate the holes in the T/C with the holes in the flex plate. It's usually not a big deal to turn the T/C to line up with the flex plate, but it's my assumption that it's this way on a 'rolla as well.

poynter · 11-11-2011, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landphil

There is no need to "time" the T/C to the engine, I think what Buurin means is to locate the holes in the T/C with the holes in the flex plate. It's usually not a big deal to turn the T/C to line up with the flex plate, but it's my assumption that it's this way on a 'rolla as well.

OK yeah there are 6 holes in the FP. Ill get into this tomorrow or sunday and hopefully get most of it back together. Its been 6 months or so since I pulled the motor so hopefully I remember how to put it all back. I did label everything and put stuff in bags.

poynter · 11-21-2011, 01:49 PM

Got most everything back together this weekend. I still have to put the axles back in and the battery and add fluids and I think Im done. I ended up swapping the valve covers as the junk yard motor had a different pcv.

There is a ground wire on the passenger side strut tower and Im not sure where it goes. That part was already removed when the car got to me along with all the accessories and timing cover so it took me a little longer putting some of that back on since I didn't take it off.

Buurin · 11-22-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poynter

There is a ground wire on the passenger side strut tower and Im not sure where it goes. That part was already removed when the car got to me along with all the accessories and timing cover so it took me a little longer putting some of that back on since I didn't take it off.

I think that goes to the engine block.

poynter · 11-23-2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buurin

I think that goes to the engine block.

Yeah I would like to know exactly where though. If someone could track it down and take a pic that would be great. There may even be some pics on here for some other diy that might have it.