5kcstq heat shield, and aligning motor/tranny assembly

[auditude at get.net]

Hi Bernard,

[re: '88 5kcstq clutch/rack job]

I got the heat shield reinstalled.  It was indeed the one you
describe for the motor mount.  Once I got it close, then
turned right side up, I could see where it went.

I know what you mean about getting confused about what order
to do stuff and such.  I ended up not having to remove the
downpipe to get the tranny out to do the clutch.  I probably
didn't have to take that heatshielf off either as a result.  I
was about to take out the airbox to get the downpipe off, so
I'm glad that I finally got the tranny off without further
disassembly.

I found that I had a torn tranny mount, which I replaced.  I
think the motor mounts probably are worse for wear after
tilting the motor back and forth to remove and install the
tranny.  Plus, at some points it was allowed to hang a bit,
leaning forward with the tranny off.  Most of the time, I
supported it.

I find that I should align the motor/tranny assembly, as the
rear mount bolts are crooked and the tranny yoke is visible
not centered.  I heard one/the way to do this is to loosen all
mounts, run the engine to vibrate it into place, then tighten
the mounts.  Does this seem right?

I guess my work sequence is going to be to bleed the clutch
(was opened to remove tranny), loosen the motor mounts, run
the motor, stop the motor, tighten the mounts?

I also have to tighten the inner tie rods after the car is on
the ground.  It's coming together.

Thanks,

Ken

Bernard Littau bernardl at acumenassociates.com wrote:
>
> Sounds like the motor mount heat shield.  There are two pieces to this heat
> shield, and it protects the motor mount from the turbo and downpipe.  You
> seem to have the "front" piece.
>
> It's a pain to get back in place, you kind of need to mash it past the turbo
> to get it into place.  Try and figure out where the holes in the heat shield
> line up with the holes in the car.  At one point I thought I would need to
> take the downpipe off to reinstall the heat shield (I couldn't remember if I
> did the heat shield first or the downpipe when I took stuff apart :-).  As
> it turned out, some careful but firm application of force got the heat
> shield past the obstruction.
>
> I can go out and look at my 5ktq if you need some hints.  Give a shout if
> you need more info.<snip>
>
> Ken Keith asked:
>
> > On my '88 5kcstq I have a heat shield and I'm not sure
> > where it needs to get reinstalled.  It goes somewhere
> > along the exhaust pipe path to protect something, but
> > I'm not remembering where.  It has kind of a dogleg bend
> > in it, and a section that has a double-walled section at
> > one end by somewhat of a flare. It's not the one for the
> > cv joint, and there is already a small piece for the motor
> > mount, although this piece might somehow also protect the
> > motor mount further.