Breeze Engine Setup

The aptly named Ford Racing crate engine (part of the Breeze EzePak) arrives in a wooden crate. Most residential deliveries will require lift gate service, which means that the truck lift gate can be slowly lowered to ground level to facilitate offloading of the 450 lb crate. If the crate pallet is placed directly on the shop floor it is difficult to position an engine hoist underneath it for the lifting operation.

Crate engine elevated on cinder blocks makes it much easier to maneuver the engine hoist legs underneath

Cinder blocks (8x8x8) arranged for crate engine arrival

Arrange for the crate engine to be placed on a raised even surface, like cinder blocks, so that the engine hoist can be maneuvered under the pallet.

• remove the cardboard and plastic covering the engine
• label and store the thermostat cap and gasket (packed in a baggie and placed on top of the engine block for shipping)
• unfasten the side engine shipping brace bolt (there are two; the second one will be removed with the flywheel assembly)
• tear down enough lumber so that the engine can be easily lifted out of the crate.

The flywheel and rear separator, or cover, plate is usually removed to fit the engine to the engine stand (as well as to install the flywheel dowel pins). However, the Ford Racing Boss 302 already has dowel pins in place; it is possible to mount the engine to a stand without removing the flywheel. If you elect to remove the flywheel, photograph the assembly for future reference, and note any alignment marks.

To keep the original alignment, do not rotate the crankshaft while the flywheel is off the engine block. The flywheel can only be aligned one way since the circular hole pattern is unevenly spaced, but keeping track of the orientation makes flywheel assembly much easier.

• wedge flywheel so that bolts can be loosened without the crankshaft turning
• loosen six flywheel bolts gradually in a cross pattern to avoid warping
• carefully pull off flywheel (due to its weight, padding helps protect the flywheel and fingers)
• place flywheel on a flat work surface in preparation for dowel insertion procedure
• remove separator plate bolts (one doubles as a shipping bracket connection)
• slide plate off its two engine block alignment dowels
• bag, label and store all parts, including the six flywheel attachment bolts

Ford 302 engine in the crate with flywheel alignment mark, shipping brace, separator plate on two alignment dowels with attachment bolts (one doubling as a shipping brace fastener), and six flywheel bolts. The pilot bearing is seen in the middle of the flywheel, seated in the crankshaft, and will not be removed with the flywheel.

Attach the engine hoist leveler to the block using threaded holes in the aluminum head ends. If you are using a two-bolt hoist, attach bolts in a diagonal for balance, with one chain on the front driver side head, and the other on the rear passenger side head. With a four-bolt hoist, simply attach two bolts each to front and back. Place washers to keep the hoist bolt bracket away from the headers, and wrap the chains with towels or plastic insulation. Also, place old towels over the engine to protect the valve covers. Carefully test that the hoist will lift the engine without twisting or putting pressure on any engine part.

With the engine bolted to the hoist leveler, the next step is to place it on the engine stand, which is required for proper swapping out of the oil pan.

Cut the 7/16-14 threaded rod into four equal lengths (about 8 inches each) and screw into engine block threaded holes. Fit the engine stand bracket to the engine block using the threaded rods as guides, and adjust, if necessary, to fit engine stand brace. Fasten brace with washers and nuts. Slowly lift the engine using the hoist until the engine stand bracket is slightly below the height where it attaches to the upright engine stand. Tilt the engine stand slightly so that the bracket spine matches up with the mounting hole, and secure the bracket to the stand. Then continue maneuvering the hoist until the stand sits upright and supports the engine fully.

When the engine is securely mounted on the engine stand, save the 2×4 packing crate lumber to fashion a 36” window installation brace and for front end alignment ride height blocks. Discard the cinder blocks and other packaging materials.

Trim the T5 tab

The T5 tranmission requires a minor procedure as it is unpacked. The passenger side rear tab must be trimmed to accommodate the chassis. Use a hacksaw to remove the tab end.