<-=- Club Bevel Heaven -=->

Gentlemen,

After centuries of fiddling with the resto of my 860GT, I am finally approaching time to re-install the engine.

My question is simple, and I ask it because it was 30 years ago that I removed the engine, and I don't remember the process:

Is it okay to support the engine on a jack, at the bottom of the crankcase, while raising it into position? My main concern is
putting undue stress on the crankcase, what with the entire weight of the engine resting on a rather small area.

If I should not be concerned, fine, and I will do that. I just want to be cautious on putting stress in the wrong place.
I am leaving all side covers off until I piece things into place, one by one.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Richard
Malabar, Florida

Hello,you are at an advantage with the casings off and with the front and rear cylinders/heads fitted.
I would lift the rear of the engine and engage the bottom rear bolt ,and use that as a pivot point and fit the other 2 bolts.That I would find the easiest way.
A jack will not hurt the casings,use a wooden board for protection.

Thanks kindly.

I shall do as you recommended.

Yeah, a bit of wood makes more sense than metal on metal.

Best Regards,
Richard

Hi Richard

Yup, as 900tic: bit of board under the engine just to help balance things, and away you go ...

Ciao

Craig

Hi Craig,

So good to hear from you.

Thanks kindly for confirming the process. I shall be doing the re-install very soon.

I might still be around when I finally get to kick this old soldier alive.

Regards,
Richard

rjk40 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:07 am I might still be around when I finally get to kick this old soldier alive.

Yeah, course you will. You can't give up before it's finished ...

I've always done this with the casings off using the lower rear bolt as a pivot point. Aligning things and pushing the bolt is much easier with two people. Once the rear bolt is in, it's surprisingly easy to reach over the bike and just lift the motor by hand, no planks of wood or jacks required. Even easier if the front head is still off. Again even easier if there is a helper to push the front bolt in. Post pics! My first Ducati was a 75 860GT.

Good tips; thank you.

I will post pics soon, but want to get the motor installed.

Regards,
Richard

For laughs, last year's partial rebuild. I didn't remove the engine, just put a big block of wood under the motor. My old bike was put away a long time ago (by me) clean but I wanted to check heads and barrels and shim the valves. This really is the easiest way to shim heads; take them right off, in the living room, beer and good tunes. Pizza boxes, ice cream tubs and old socks are critical components to good work. The picture shows the heads just taken off; the other head and barrel were on the coffee table already.

Excellent idea!

Plus, the epitome of epicurean delights; they always help the cause.

Thanks for the tip.

Best Regards,
Richard

One more thing:

That swingarm stand looks nice; can you give me a hint of what brand?

Thanks in advance.

The rear stand is an ancient one I bought in the UK a million years ago!

Ok. Thanks anyway.

Regards,
Richard

Mebbe someone who sees this post can recommend a good one.

Looking for a reasonably good stand for the 1975 Ducati 860GT.

Tne stand is probably made by Abba ,in Essex ,UK.....Not Swedish I might add!
They straighten bike frames as well.