Topic: 350 motor install... best process?

[heffay]

was thinking of doing a motor swap on the 350.  i have a motor just chillin in the shed and would like to at least test it.  for those of you that have completed the task... did you go in through the left or right?  did you remove the oil pan and maybe the filter that runs down into the oil?  what direction was the motor facing in comparison to the frame.

i remember how i got the 400f motor out but i haven't put it back in yet so i have yet to experience the joy of the install.

thanks,
heffay

[Gordon]

Never pulled the whole motor on my 350 or 400, but it's very similar to the 550, I would guess. 

I already had the oil pan off, so I left it off for the install and removed the breather cover for a little extra clearance up top.  The engine goes in and out from the right side of the bike.  I lifted from the stator cover and points housing, which is about the balance point of the engine.  Lift the engine halfway in and rest it on the frame (rags on the frame keep it from getting scratched up).  Then put your left hand over the bike to the left side and lift again to get it fully in place.

Use a floor jack to position it so the mounting bolts will line up with the holes.  Line the engine up parallel with the frame, and it pretty much just slides right in without much twisting and turning like the 750 requires.   

[TwoTired]

I have this Chilton manual.  Covers all Honda four cylinder models through 1974.    Published in 1974.

I looked through the Engine Removal and Installation section for you.  It all looks pretty straighforward, disconnect all the connections, etc.  There is no mention of oil pan removal, just the oil filter, natch.  Also, no removal handedness issue mentioned for extraction of the 350, allthough there is for the Cb500-550 (right side).

They do make a big deal about the mount bolts, though.

"Note: Be sure to install the correct bolts at the lower front portion of the crankcase (10X75mm).  Be sure that the lockwasher is in place.  Otherwise it will be impossible to properly tighten the bolts."

They even have a drawing showing the close clearance for the bolt/case.

You can almost read into the book about some trauma experienced by the writer/wrench.

Cheers,

P.S.  I gotta say I was dissapointed about the direction this thread took.  I was expecting a shoehorn of a SB chevy into one of the SOHC4 frames.  350 Cu In motor install!!!!
Oh well, my eyebrows don't belong near my hairline, anyway...

[Gordon]

Now that I think about it, I did put the oil pan back on before installing the engine.  Otherwise there wouldn't have been much for the floor jack to push up on.

[heffay]

all good help... thanks guys