I am about ready to fit the A65 engine I have been working on over the winter.
Before I start I thought I would ask here if anyone has any tips, any gotchas that I might encounter. I have read the manual and it seems straightforward enough, but I know that there will be some hidden problems waiting for me. The actual weight of the engine seems as though it might be a problem. There is only me and "she who must be obeyed' to do this job! Any tips there. And any tips on when I come to fit the replacement?
Thanks in advance
Dave

Dave, how much of the engine is already assembled? I've always done mine without the upper engine on, so I can't offer any real advice about removing and installing the entire engine. (BTW, I still rigged up a simple block-and-tackle with clothesline and a couple of cheap pulleys.)

Either way, I seem to recall that my manual (incorrectly) said to go in from the right, but the only way the chainway will clear the frame is if you go in from the left.

Can't be that heavy. I've installed a triple engine, sans gearbox, top, and transmission without external apparatus. But, I WAS much younger then.

the replacement engine does not have the head or clutch fitted yet. Other than that it is complete. the manual says it should be tilted forward and removed from the left. Off to give it a go!

After struggling for hours trying to fit the engine in the frame of my 1966 and get the rear motor mounts situated and bolted in as the parts book shows I discovered that by taking the bottom bold out of my rear shocks and swinging them rearwards out of the way it was easy to remove the swing arm. After that the rear motor mount were in a bolted up in a matter on minutes.

I and a helper, wear rubber grip gloves, the stretchy kind at the local hardware or lumber yard, to get a good grip on that round case. No side covers on either side helps visually and provides an edge to grab if needed. I always install with the head off. Installed one with the head on...once. What a nightmare. Banged up the new frame paint along the way.

I use two long pointed chiesl rods thru the front mount and top rear plate mount to carry the end and lift it in the frame roughly sitting on top of the frame mount lugs up front and the rear frame mount at the rear. Plastic golf bag club tubs cut in various lengths and sliced down open, snapped around frame tube areas to protect the paint.

I've started sticking gaffer tape on front of crankcases around front mount. When I get weak at last minute protects cases from scratching.

I find it easier to fit the frame to the motor, lay the motor on its primary side on a carpet, offer the frame to the motor , an extra set of hands is good, once the front and lower mounts are in place then tip up to normal position.

I have the old engine ready to lift out, just waiting for big burly step son to arrive (I bribed with a bbq and beer afterwards!)

The manual says to loosen the rear mounting plate, but it seemed easier to remove them and give me more room so I did. My question is, should I do the same on fitting the new one? manual says to fit the plates loosely, but it seems I would have more room if I mounted the engine without them and fit them once it was in place? Anyone any thoughts or experience with that method?

Thanks for all the tips up to now. I now have a pair of rubber fingered garden gloves for greater purchase.

Dave

Well, new engine is in. A bit fiddly and in fact it went in from the right. Just did not seem to want to come out from the left. And I fitted the rear plates once it was in. Just have to tighten everything up now, but that is for another day. Beer time now

Many thanks for all the help and advice from everyone, it really is most appreciated.
Dave

You will need more beers while installing the black inner chain cover plate now that the engine is in the frame. Those three small mounting screws are a pain. That is why I mount the rear plates barely loose as well as the black cover plate on the engine before dropping it in.

Gary,
I don't have one of those plates. The engine I took out did not have one. I recall reading on a thread some time ago that a lot of people did not fit them, probably because it is a PITA!

Now, the job I am not looking forward to is fitting the chain. I have not yet looked but I am assuming you can fit it before the chain guard? I remember when I took it off that it would be impossible to fit with the chain guard on. But that is a few days off yet.

Which is exactly why most bikes do not have them fitted.

Apart from throwing gunk every where the only other downside is the tendency for the chain to eat the alternator wires at the slightest provocation.

I yanked mine out after removing the head, but got my two older sons to install the new one. I just happened to make the first removal attempt from the right side, so that was a plus.

Sounds like it went pretty well for you after all.