How I installed the engine, gearbox and driveshaft in our Austin Healey Sprite. Bugeye Build Ep.89

[@mundanestuff]

Big milestone for sure. Glad to see you include the whoopsie of the mounts on the wrong side to train future engine installers to watch out for it.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks Ken. There's a couple of the channels I watch regularly that are not afraid of showing their mistakes and I find it encouraging, as well as educational, to see how those mistakes are handled.

[@UncleGrowl]

I install the (1275) crank pulley before fully lowering the engine into the mounts. This helps with the angle of tipping the engine/trans into the opening below the heater/battery tray. That's why that area above the bell housing is usually dented. I slotted the right bracket for the motor mount, so the dowel and stud just drop down into the slot of the bracket. Right side is the engine pivot side. The left side takes most of the torque abuse (if a Sprite had real torque). For the drive shaft, I wrap the front u joint tightly with electrical tape to reduce it from floppin' around when sliding it into the trans. Later on while driving, the tape will heat up, soften, and loosen. After the thppppt noise out on the road the tape ends up at the rear of the drive shaft, and is easily cut off with a razor knife.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks for sharing your insights on the installation! It's always great to hear different techniques that help make the process smoother.

[@clashcityrocker1367]

Another great episode Ian, over all too quickly!

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thank you!. Glad you're enjoying the videos.

[@billcunningham8485]

Engine and Transmission! That is huge. The engine looks brand new. Look forward to the wiring episodes. Nice work Ian.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks Bill. The engine was rebuilt by a long time friend of mine and I'll be going it some detail on it in a future video. Wiring is not too far off now! I appreciate your continued interest and encouragement. Cheers, Ian.

[@JaronWhelan]

awesome to see the progress!

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks Jaron.

[@dimadee]

Awesome work. Well done.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thank you sir!

[@doggonetired]

Great progress Ian. Later cars like my '72 Midget had the fuel line cross over at the gearbox crossmember at the front of the transmission tunnel, rather than the front crossmember where you have yours. That way the hard line can rise vertically from the inside lip of the frame horn without interfering with the engine mount, and you will only need a fairly short length of rubber line up to the front carb.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks Andrew. With the mount installed correctly there isn't much interference so I should be OK.

[@DK-wr6mq]

Good job mate!

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thehomeaddress]

Excellent work. I'm a little behind on viewing updates-work, life, and grandkids. The exact scenario happened on the first rebuild of my 65" AH Sprite in 1978. Putting the engine supports on the wrong side. Your videos are very helpful and inspirational. I've got the engine out and about to start bodywork and paint. A long way to go. I'm ordering a sweatshirt.

[@EconoboxGarage]

I'm glad you're finding the videos of some use. Thank you for your support!

[@CanadianRoadandTrack]

Excellent progress Ian!! Putting the spin on kit for your Sprite is a great idea. I did the spin on oil filter conversion on my big Healey this past weekend. It will make oil changes a little less messy. Looking forward to a first start up video in the coming weeks.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thank you!

[@nedwagon]

Ian - I watched this video after seeing your response to a Facebook post where someone was asking if they should install the driveshaft with the engine and transmission. This was one of the few videos in the episodes 170s and 180s that I still needed to view to complete the whole series and be totally up to date with you! As always, an excellent video with clear instruction and great tips. Watching the video made me curious about your battery box and where you sourced it? I need one for my car.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks for your continued interest and support Joel. The battery box is @MossMotors part number 241-020

[@garethgoodchild2643]

Nice job Ian. Some good tips! Engine and box looks great. I like that remote oil filter kit. Good progress!

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks Gareth!

[@bobm2331]

Ian, your garage is a lot cleaner. Did you paint the floor? I painted mine, love the look but one big down side, "you feel forced to keep it clean". Great progress and video.

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thanks Bob. My floor is not painted. I do try and keep things clean... at least where it shows on the video :) !

[@trevorsmedley6712]

Looking really good!!! I can't remember if you mentioned this in a previous video, but how do you get the bolts looking so clean?

[@EconoboxGarage]

Hi Trevor. Some bolts are brand new, others I cleaned in the parts washer and/or wire wheel on the bench grinder.

[@josephlineberger443]

Why did you not paint the engine bay before installing the motor? Also, it is easier to bolt the driver side. motor mount to the motor before dropping the motor in. I assume you bolted the prop shaft to the diff. first. I use an old fan belt to feed the propshaft to the gearbox, then snip it off.

[@EconoboxGarage]

The engine bay is painted in Rustoleum's "satin granite". To install the prop shaft I had it in the tunnel and once the back end of the gearbox was under the shifter hole I simply reached in and guided the shaft into the tailhousing... worked like a charm! Once the two were mated I bolted the other end to the differential. I messed up with the motor mounts at first, had them on the wrong side and had the engine mostly in the bay before I noticed.

[@karlheinzbachmann9886]

Hello, it's a great video! Everything is nice explain. I have also a MG Midget and at moment is the car without issues...where are you from? Best Regards from Germany Kalli

[@EconoboxGarage]

Thank you! I am in Western Canada.

[@barenekid9695]

Yesss it's YOUR hobby. But Children can (and have done) this

[@EconoboxGarage]

I've had some help from a couple of my kids.