Assembly question

HI Gents
Few questions on Engine / Gearbox / Cradle order installation
With frame laid on its side.

• Can the engine be put in first followed by front ISO mount then the cradle, rather than ISO fitted after eng mounted to cradle
• Can th gearbox be fitted / removed with engine fitted to cradle

Trying to establish the best and easiest installation process & which components can or can't be fitted at the various stages

Thank you

olympus said:

HI Gents
Few questions on Engine / Gearbox / Cradle order installation
With frame laid on its side.

• Can the engine be put in first followed by front ISO mount then the cradle, rather than ISO fitted after eng mounted to cradle
• Can th gearbox be fitted / removed with engine fitted to cradle

Trying to establish the best and easiest installation process & which components can or can't be fitted at the various stages

Thank you

Click to expand...

Trying to understand the questions.
1. If you put the engine in before the cradle there is nothing for the engine to attach. Front ISO is not that difficult to put in after the engine is in place. I remove the front ISO when checking the shims on my '72. Much easier than the rear ISO shim adjustment.
2. the engine needs to be removed from the cradle to allow the gearbox room to be taken in or out.

Gearbox in cradle. Then bolt engine to cradle. Fit frame over engine/gearbox then fit front iso. Cradle can be modded to give enough room to fit gearbox with engine attached.

The frame is on its side, so the engine is being laid in so doesn't need to be supported, my question is about the fitting in of the components and possible order of assembly

Is this pre MK III I assume ?
MK III would be a different approach.

I have removed and installed the gearbox without removing the engine

Going from memory, if you loosen / remove the top isolastic, then remove the lower rear engine cradle bolt this will allow the engine to pivot/rotate down far enough to expose that notch in the cradle. This will allow the top transmission mount to slide into the cradle.

You need to remove the clutch/primary drive and a lot of other stuff.

It has been a long time since I had to do this but the transmission can be installed and remove without removing the engine.

olympus said:

HI Gents
Few questions on Engine / Gearbox / Cradle order installation
With frame laid on its side.

• Can the engine be put in first followed by front ISO mount then the cradle, rather than ISO fitted after eng mounted to cradle
• Can th gearbox be fitted / removed with engine fitted to cradle

Trying to establish the best and easiest installation process & which components can or can't be fitted at the various stages

Thank you

Click to expand...

Due to arthritis and bad shoulders I've had to find ways to do it without strong arms so I put the gearbox in the cradle then the complete engine. Then the rear ISO. I use pipe insulation to protect the frame. Then lay the power unit on it's side and lower the frame over it. Then put the stud through the frame and rear ISO and set the frame/power unit upright and install the front ISO.

Look here about 2/3 of the way down: http://gregmarsh.com/MC/Norton_1972.aspx. Unfortunatly I didn't take a picture with the power unit/frame on their side.