Engine Install: Before or after rear suspension?

[Djthom]

Gents

is it easier/preferred to put the engine in before or after the rear suspension? Shell is currently sitting on a frame supported along the floorpan weld lip where you often see them picked up on a hydraulic lift.

Thanks
Darren

[John912]

I like to get all the rear suspension, brake and other work done before installing the engine/trans, gives you more room to work, especially when replacing the brake cross-over line behind the transmission. When installing banana arm bolts, the two long ones at the rear (towards front of car) install with threads/nuts inboard so you can pull out the bolts and remove rear suspension if needed afterwards with engine/trans still in car.

[Mr9146]

Darren,

John gave you some good advice, but he forgot that the only way to install the bolts with the threads to the inside is if there are dimples in the torsion tube. Otherwise the bolts are too long and the ... ahem ... insertion angle ... is wrong. These dimples came into production in 1973, I THINK (maybe 1972), which means rear control arms on 1965-1972 cars have to be installed BEFORE the motor and trans.

There is, however, another option (I've used these in a pinch and they're great): http://www.wevo.com/Products/Suspens...cts-EZPins.htm

[gled49]

mid year 73 was the change over from bolt installed from the inside to the outside with dimples. Gled