No luck putting LS3 in - how do you do a manual trans motor install?

[davepl]

This probably belongs in "alternate tinkerings" but its kind of generic to the LS motor, so I'll take my chances. Move at will.

I tried three times yesterday to get the LS3 to mate up to the TKO-600. It's replacing a big block. The bellhousing and internals are on the engine, and the trans itself is still in the vehicle, so I've got to mate them up and install the 4 bolts that hold the trans to the bellhousing.

I'm close to the firewall, maybe too close. But the trans has not moved, it's still connected to the crossmember. I've got to think an LS motor will fit where a big block sat, but no luck so far.

I've never even done an engine swap on a manual trans truck before, so all I'm doing is lowering the engine down and in, getting the input shaft into the throwout bearing, and then trying to get the engine to engage and mate up.

I did -not- try turning the wheels yet, so if that's typically required to get them to line up, that's part of the problem.

Is the input shaft keyed, such that they only fit ONE way, or do I just need to get the splines to grab the clutch disc? You'd think that'd be pretty simple. Heck, it might have done so already, I can't see in there!

I'm really close to pulling the trans and then installing them as a unit. That's about my only fallback plan.

I need the emergency "genius mechanic housecall" right about now!