March 10, 2007 by Rob.

I could not resist a little more mounting… I was able to find the screws and spacer plate to connect the drivers side transmission mount (no picture).  This provides 3 solid points of support for the transmission.

With the motor in, I checked the position for the batteries.  I’ll be able to fit 6 for the J150s in the front with plenty of space for the controllers and other electronics.

I’m going to bed happy - mounting the engine is a major milestone for this project and at least 2 weeks earlier than I expected.

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March 10, 2007 by Rob.

Today I spent several hours proving how leverage can beat intelligence when my impatience ran out waiting on an engine hoist. It would have been smart to wait for the hoist, but I’m not a patient person. The short story is that the motor is now in place.  The straps are needed until my next step: fabricating a back end motor support

The long story is that it took Alex and I several hours of patient work (and even more patience by Laura) to cajole the 300 pound brute into position. Basically, I bought a set of come-alongs ($15) and slowly hoisted it up and over the center support. The first step was to lift the motor into the driver’s side gap.

Then I could twist it into position using a cross beam. This was tricky since the tolerance was very close. I had to take off the mounting brackets to get it into position.

Luckily Mike K drove by at the perfect time and provided that critical last push (note the hammer) to get the back mount aligned.  I’m under the car in this picture.  Once the mount was aligned I was ready to call it a day!

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