Swinging The C72 Engine - Can This Be Done?

[Muddy]

G'day Guys

Tried doing a search on this, but didn't reveal any help.

I've done the C72 restore and posted some photos in the restoration projects forum, but have the dreaded head gasket oil leak and need to re-torque the head at best and at worst have to replace the head gasket and O-rings. I'm trying to find an easy way of doing this as access to the head bolts to re-torque them is difficult without removing the motor fully.

As a kid with the C71, I seem remember hanging the motor down to the ground, swinging it on the lower 2 rear engine mounting bolts, thus giving access to the head without having to remove the engine fully. I guess you’d still need to remove the carby, electrics, header pipes etc, but maybe this is easier then removing the entire engine?

Anyone tried this and did you have any luck?

Alternatively, is there any easy way to access the head bolt nuts, without removing the entire motor out of the frame?

Thanks.

[rrietman]

the geometry of the dream engine mount bolts do not allow you to rotate the engine into place with the rear lower bolts in place. it will bind up on the forward top mounts. to get a good wrench on all the head nuts, you need to basically remove the engine .
Good luck
Randy

[Muddy]

Thanks, Randy, appreciate the advice.

[hondadreamca77]

Hey Muddy,

See my engine dolly posting under 305 motors..

Just went through this exact thing after restore of my dream....head gasket leak. I was going to try the hang down on lower bolts but it won't work. Ended up removing the engine but made the work alot easier using a homemade engine dolly..takes all the work out of it and made this into a three hour job. BTW replaced with NOS head gasket while I was at it. Take your time and do it right first time.

Steve

[Muddy]

Hey Muddy,

See my engine dolly posting under 305 motors..

Just went through this exact thing after restore of my dream....head gasket leak. I was going to try the hang down on lower bolts but it won't work. Ended up removing the engine but made the work alot easier using a homemade engine dolly..takes all the work out of it and made this into a three hour job. BTW replaced with NOS head gasket while I was at it. Take your time and do it right first time.

Steve

Thanks, Steve, great work on that engine dolly - I like it a lot and will make things easier for sure.

Yes, will need to take extra care on the head gasket and o-rings this time. Both were new at time or reassembly, but something is obviously wrong, though it appears I'm not the only one to encounter similar difficulties. Did you use any gasket bond or similar on the head gasket and o-rings and what sort of results did you end up with?

[Paul Strassmaier]

You pretty much need to pull the motor. Pad up the front fender good, It will act like a big magnet and the motor heads straight for it! Good luck, Paul

[hondadreamca77]

Paul is right....I wrapped a big blanket around my front fender even when using the dolly. I did use a thin bead of Permatex on all surfaces even with the NOS Honda head gasket....no leaks 100 miles later. I did that as extra measure while I had it down. Did not want to pull the thing out a second time.

Steve