No oil or trans fluid in it, yet, either... could that be why?

Along the above lines is this,
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I use this method on a 125 and 250 two stroke motocross engines with excellent results.

I am not rich enough to have a new car or rebuilt engine to do it on but if I had then I would not hesitate to use this method ,just ensure the motor is properly warm first

No.

+1. Something is put in wrong or a wrong part was used.

if you have not bolted the trans crossmember up yet, the engine is just tilting on the mounting arms.

no big deal.

I put the tx crossmember like this (this is view from the back of the car)


----\ tx /----

----

I am thinking I need to flip it, so it pushes the transmission UP. right?

the crossmembers cradle the mounts like this:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...8&d=1144628725

Thats the way I have it (minus the extension bar), U shaped, with the transmission resting in the valley of the crossmember on top of the rubber mount.

and, according to your earlier pictures in this thread, the arms are on the right side.


thats all I got without more pics.

are you still working with the same block and mounting arms since you pulled the engine?

the x-member is fully mounted to the chassis?

Yeah the crossmember is mounted; there are 4 bolts holding it to the frame. Here are some pix:

pass. side motor mount, with a silly oil shield:

http://andresguns.com/images_other/1...otor_mount.jpg



driver side mount

http://andresguns.com/images_other/1...otor_mount.jpg



rear mount

http://andresguns.com/images_other/1...rear_mount.jpg



engine top view

http://andresguns.com/images_other/1...r_top_view.jpg


Cant close the hood - side view with the vale cover sticking out

http://andresguns.com/images_other/1...ticking_up.jpg



Engine - bottom view

http://andresguns.com/images_other/1...ottom_view.jpg

This is a puzzle. How come it's raining in your garage?

he must live in an alternate reality, like an MC Escher painting.... or Dali, at least. Nothing seems to be the way it should in this garage.


----

How thick is your hood pad... is that a replacement I see?

The valve cover does stick out a bit when you line the profile of the fenders up in your vision (about an inch to 1.5" )


check the hinges to make sure they clear themselves

check there are no other obstructions


the engine appears to sitting pretty good (mostly level, and at the right height- from that angle)

"I am an idiot"
 

Yeah rain in the garage does not help... You guys are cracking me up... "nothing is the way it should be in this garage" is going to have to be engraved somewhere

Anyway, I am an idiot

What I insisted on interpreting as the hood hitting the valve cover was in fact the hood latch hitting the striker. I have to tweak the plastic hood handle to get the hood closed, but....... it does close.

I feel so stupid. But now we can have a good laugh, right?

My new motor mounts:

http://hightouchconcept.files.wordpr...ty_623x600.jpg