Installing engine with exh manifolds/starter
 

I'm sure this has been discussed, but I can't find it. Can I put my '69 RAIII (4 speed) engine in with the stock RA exhaust manifolds and starter already installed? It'd sure be easier to put them on on the stand. I know I'd need to disconnect the engine harness at the bulkhead connector and put it on the engine (it has the factory harness tube on the motor mount).

I took them off in the car before pulling the engine -- what a pain! The frame is painted, so I don't want to have to move the engine around a lot. It has power brakes, so I know that makes it tighter. I won't put the distributor in until the engine's in place. The transmission is out.

Thanks for advice!

Put engine in without exhaust manifolds and starter.

Agree. Manifolds drop right in after the engine is installed, just put some towels on the frame to temporarily protect it. You'd have to drop the starter to wire it up to the harness anyways.

I put my RA manifolds on and then installed the engine. No power brakes. I did not have any problems. Dropped right in. Don't know about the starter as I use a mini starter and its not hard to put on after the engine is in. I used cardboard on the frame just in case.

I drop them right in all the time with RA exhaust manifolds and starter.
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When I put the engine back in my 73 GTO I had to take the manifolds off as there wasn't enough room to install them on the engine into the car. I had the starter on but I run a mini starter on my engine.

I took my starter off.

You can do it with both on but the studs need to be taken out of the manifolds.

Thank you all for the help. I think I'll try with it all together -- sure not fond of rolling around underneath.

Thought I'd reply with how it went putting the engine in with starter and manifolds on.

This is a stock RA III 4 speed with factory manifolds and starter.

I'd highly recommend it. I took the engine harness off at the bulkhead connector, installed the tube with the harness and battery cable in it on the left motor mount, installed the starter with the rear brace, and the manifolds (without studs). I also installed the clutch linkage pivot with the engine out.

It went in very easily -- didn't have to fight it at all. It's close on the brake booster, but not bad. I think it'd be a mistake to have the distributor installed, although you could probably get by as long as the cap isn't on. I didn't want to take a chance. I really liked not having to lay on my back fighting to get the starter and manifolds on -- really made my day when it slipped right in.

when I do them the distributor is in as well as the manifolds and starter
just have to leave the studs off the manifolds.

I see where AG said to remove the studs when installing the engine. I think it would have gone in for me if I would have taken the studs out of the manifolds. It was the studs that were keeping me from installing the engine with the manifolds on the engine. I'll try that next time as putting the manifolds on in the car is a bit of a pain.