Engine/Tranny instal

olympus · May 4, 2020

Hi all
On the AN webpage under services it show what I think is the old production line at North Way.
On the far left are engine & Tranny units already bolted up to cradles.
Can someone give me an idea on how the above built up units were "shoe horned" into the frames. Without causing any damage???

L.A.B. · May 4, 2020

There are factory photos that show the power unit was laid on its side on a bench and the frame was then fitted to the power unit.

Edit: The caption accompanying the photo above reads:
"Shaw Taylor, famous for his 'Police 5' series on ITV, visited the Norton factory at Andover for a Thames Television feature. Dennis Poore is seen in the foreground, seated on a conveniently-placed tea chest"
(Mike Jackson)

Fast Eddie · May 4, 2020

And also note that the front iso mounts are not pre installed.

gortnipper · May 4, 2020

Lay the motor down on the timing side, drop the frame over the motor from the primary side. Apply shoe horn.

See the two guys in the white coveralls actually working. They are on opposite sides of the line.

olympus · May 4, 2020

gortnipper said:
Lay the motor down on the timing side, drop the frame over the motor from the primary side. Apply shoe horn.

See the two guys in the white coveralls actually working. They are on opposite sides of the line.

That's how I installed my full engine but without gearbox, primary, cradle ...and shoehorn
This is tight enough..
Has anyone actually managed to install engine, tranny, primary and cradle as a unit this way without damage?

Gadge · May 4, 2020

But when did they fit the horn?

bsaboss · May 4, 2020

I don't think the horn was fitted at all. I believe it was the first item placed on the production line and the bike was then built around it.

gortnipper · May 4, 2020

olympus said:
That's how I installed my full engine but without gearbox, primary, cradle ...and shoehorn
This is tight enough..
Has anyone actually managed to install engine, tranny, primary and cradle as a unit this way without damage?

Your bike was done this way, originally. As was mine. And everyone's.

That said, looks like a four hand job tho.

Scout63 · May 4, 2020

Maybe they caught the engine installer after hours.

olympus · May 5, 2020

gortnipper said:
Your bike was done this way, originally. As was mine. And everyone's.

That said, looks like a four hand job tho.

Has anyone rebuilding their Norton actually done this?
Would be interesting to know who has, and what difficulties were encountered.....

Ron L · May 5, 2020

olympus said:
Has anyone rebuilding their Norton actually done this?
Would be interesting to know who has, and what difficulties were encountered.....

I have done this several times. Much easier manipulating a 26 lb frame rather than a 60+ lb lump of engine. Protect the frame rails with thick rags or foam pipe insulation. Block engine unit high enough to allow frame to be manipulated. I have made a box from scrap wood for this. Most difficult is fitting rear isolastic caps without scratching the paint

Lineslinger · May 5, 2020

Gadge said:
But when did they fit the horn?

After hours when they were pounding beers.

Daves750S · May 5, 2020

After seeing the factory assembly photos a while back I also had decided to do it this way on my 1969 S and had no problem, just protect the frame and take your time.

Lineslinger · May 5, 2020

My son for muscle and my granddaughter to supervise.
The gearbox was loosely mounted in place...then we had it all planned who is going to do what and how and when.
My granddaughter learned some new words.

.

htown16 · May 5, 2020

I prefer to build the engine in a rolling frame, since I work alone and I'm not getting any younger. Also it's very sturdy for torqueing bolts. Drop the gear box in, then lower end, build the timing side, drop the barrels, then the head and finally do primary. The head is a tight fit but there is enough clearance if it is positioned right. Make sure the pushrods are as far up in the head as they will go and use rubber bands looped over the head to keep the rockers in the push rods once you have them positioned. Helps to have a lift. I also find it easier to put the pistons in the barrel on the bench with inner circlips in place and lower over rod ends, shove the pins in and add outer circlips and lower into place.

Engine/Tranny instal

olympus

L.A.B.

Moderator

Fast Eddie

gortnipper

olympus

Gadge

bsaboss

gortnipper

Scout63

olympus

Ron L

Lineslinger

Daves750S

Lineslinger

htown16

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