Final questions for my rebuild - bendix & engine installation

[Ryan727]

Okay guys, this is it, I promise..

So.. I sort of think I messed up. During re-installation of the mag components, I MIGHT have missed a spring that's in the bendix retainer piece. I was watching another rebuild video, and he made it a point to bring that spring up, and as I was thinking of how I did mine, I do not remember there being a spring in that plastic retainer. Engine is still out (which leads to the next question), so it isn't a huge pain in the butt to remove it and add the spring if there isn't one, but I sealed it all up and just painted it. So I want to check with you guys to get some input.

So, on to the main question.. how in the hell do these guys drop the engine in the hull so darn easily?

I don't have an electronic lift, but I have a cherry picker that worked great when taking the engine out. I do not have the pipes installed on the engine, but I do have the carbs in. Watched a few videos of people dropping the engine in with ease with the carbs on, and I'd prefer to do it that way.

I do notice those hulls in the videos do not have those little notches on the rim of the engine compartment like mine does. I've got a 99 GTXL, and around the rim of the hull opening (at the engine compartment under the seat), there the protrusions coming out to bolt the plastic piece that holds the big water hoses to keep the water at the bottom of the hull. [sorry I do not know all the names of these parts yet].

I am hooking my crane hook on the exhaust manifold bolt hole, which I think is also meant for lifting the engine. Can someone give me pointers on this installation, and why I cannot get it to fit in there? Or some tips & tricks you veterans have used to drop it in with ease?

I've tried attaching another strap to the hole where the middle exhaust pipe gets bolted to the engine, and hoisting up that side of the engine to give me more room as well, but that still yields very little improvement. I just don't see how it's done.

 

[Matt Braley]

I never lift them out of set them in with the carbs on. It's easier to attach and adjust the cables and all the hoses with the carbs loose.

No biggie on the missing spring just crack it open and stick it in there where it goes. At least you don't have to pull the flywheel or anything. Put a little finger tip of grease in the plastic cap where the Bendix spins.

 

[Ryan727]

I was trying to avoid doing the carbs after engine installation, but I may end up having to do it that way.

As for the spring, I did end up finding it laying around, so it's definitely not in there. I feel so bad, that paint job came out so beautiful and now I have to crack it back open.

 

[Matt Braley]

Bolting the carbs on is just a matter of making sure the base gaskets are on right and a 6mm Allen wrench that's very easy to access with the pipe off. The work is in the cable adjustment and getting the lines on where they don't rub the throttle linkage.

On the other side of the engine there is a cylinder drain that needs to be hooked up before it's buried.

 

[DanSquires]

I like to put the carbs in immediately after snugging down the engine.
Engine in - bleed oil pump- fuel lines and and cables hooked up and adjusted correctly - bolt on pipe - bolt carbs to engine.
I find it beats fighting that 15mm nut on the bottom of the pipe with the special wrench.

 

[Ryan727]

Yeah I'm very familiar with carb removal and installation with the engine in, was just wondering how all these other people do it with them on before installation. They literally make it look like it fits with inches of space on each side. My girl must have put on a few pounds during the rebuild cause she doesn't fit like that.

No oil lines to bleed, running premix. I know to go to 30:1 for 2-tank break-in.

I do like the idea of getting the pipe in first, and not battling with that underside nut.

 

[Ryan727]

On the other side of the engine there is a cylinder drain that needs to be hooked up before it's buried.

You talking about the other crank line, or the larger brass nozzle on the bottom of the engine pipe-side?

 

[tomski]

Hopefully I'm not too late responding to your post .....I'm not sure if you're asking if one can drop your engine into your hull with the carbs on but I have been able to do it using these as hoisting points and able to maneuver it where I can get the motor in and out with the carbs on..... right or wrong, I am able to do it without damaging my hull....( plus another set of hands is nice)....

 

[Ryan727]

Only problem is I was trying to do that with the 951 engine. I ended up just dropping her in without the carbs, getting the exhaust on, and now about to bolt the carbs on. We shall see if she fires up!

 

[mikidymac]

Only problem is I was trying to do that with the 951 engine. I ended up just dropping her in without the carbs, getting the exhaust on, and now about to bolt the carbs on. We shall see if she fires up!

That’s the best way in my opinion.