remove engine, leave tranny

Dr. No · Dr. No's Garage

Can the engine be removed reasonably by itself?

Rot 911 · 01-21-2004, 05:02 AM

It can, but most people on here, including me find it much easier to remove and replace the engine and tranny as a package.

k9handler · 01-21-2004, 05:38 AM

ditto...remove them together and avoid the hassle!

Groesbeck Hurricane · 01-21-2004, 05:51 AM

Ditto! Remove them together and avoid hassles. For hassles, do a search on my name with Engine Removal or Transmission or Bearing or just plain idiot. I'm there. Don't be like me!!

BGCarrera32 · 01-21-2004, 06:05 AM

Remove together...

GB83SC · 01-21-2004, 06:08 AM

The engine and trany where designed to be removed as one unit.
It will save you alot of aggravation.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

COntrary to most, I find it easier to remove the engine alone... But ONLY if you take off the alternator first to give yourself the room you need... ...and put the alt. back on after the engine is in.

yelcab1 · 01-21-2004, 06:28 AM

Dr. No, the answer is No.

targa80 · targa80's Garage

I believe it is a lot easier to seperate the tranny from the engine when it is out and sitting on a dolly. I could never see myself trying to remove the engine and leaving the tranny in. I believe it is only two additional bolts plus disconnecting the linkage and the backup light connection. I would also drain the tranny fluid first.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Can you guys tell me why you feel this way ? I can get the engine in or out without the tranny in 30 minutes by myself...

chrisp · 01-21-2004, 06:37 AM

After having recently done this myself I don't see how anyone could get at the nut up by the starter. It's pretty deep in there. I dropped mine together and overall the project was much easier than expected.

I am not sure why Wayne is a big proponent of leaving the tranny in the car. Maybe he'll chime in.

Embs · Embs's Garage

cstreit you are probaly quite the pro. Many folks are first timers.

IMO, Engine + Transmission = So Happy Together!

ed martin · 01-21-2004, 07:02 AM

Wow. I just recently had to deal with this dilemma. To separate or not to separate. That is the question. The first job I did was to replace a clutch assembly on my 911 T. After reviewing a number of threads on the subject, the prevailing opinion was to remove engine and trans as a unit.So thats what I did. The first time dropping the unit and reinstalling went by the book and was uneventful. Except for one thing. When I attempted to engage the clutch, the pedal was frozen. Ovbiously, I concluded, there must be some oversight. So I drew I deep breath and proceeded to remove the assembly again. After lowering to the ground I realised I had not properly engaged the throwout bearing to the fork. This in my case is a pull type operation, so the fork has to fit in between the flanges of the throwout bearing. This process takes I little understanding and technique. With both transmission and engine on the ground the process is easily visible and a easier to manipulate. However If you understand this process I found it way easier to leave the transmission in the car. Way easier. You dont have to fiddle with the transmission mounting bolts with are really easy to strip ( ask me how I know this) , the pesky transaxle bolts (what a pain!) and not to mention all those god awlful fittings that seem to me impossible to access at the top of the trans. The next drop I did I reviewed a number of posts here and debated. I thought well heck if I just drop the engine and its too much trouble and can still drop the trans seperately. So I just dropped the engine. Its much easier in my case to remove the fan housing. Engine came out without a hitch , just like doing a volkswagon. Same can be said for the reinstall. But the key here is to really understand how the bearing and fork engage! Visibility of this process for me was near impossible, I what I learned is that by sticking my fingers in opening for the starter I feel whether it was properly engaged. After this experience I personally would never go back to dropping both.It was for me a lot faster and easier to just drop the engine.

yelcab1 · 01-21-2004, 07:02 AM

I did many engine drops and instals by myself, on the 84 and recently on the 80. It would be too dangerous for me to try to line up the engine perfectly with the tranny in the car, make sure the clutch release fork is just at the right angle to catch the TO bearing (you can't see it from above with the tranny in the car), and wiggle the engine in to the tranny while laying underneath the engine that is now on 2 jacks.

Hell no, I won't go.

David Goodman · 01-21-2004, 07:07 AM

Chris P,
I prefer removing and installing as a unit for alignment reasons. I find that it is easier to align the 4 major mount points when installing the combination, as opposed to trying to align the tranny input shaft with the clutch and dealing with the clutch fork. I'd be worried about the potential for damaging the clutch disc if the engine slipped while installing it alone.
Dave

JTO · 01-21-2004, 07:07 AM

I'm with Chris. Leaving the tranny in the car allow one to avoid unbolting the CV joints, speedo cable, ground strap, starter leads, rear sway bar. I have dropped the engine six times on my car; four times tranny+engine, two times just the engine. Both have their challenges but I find the engine alone to be easier and faster.

My $0.02.

Troy

ed martin · 01-21-2004, 07:08 AM

First of all I wouldnt wiggle the engine from undrneath either . That sounds dangerous. Just wiggle from above, why go down there? Secondly a simple rachet extension will give you access to the top allen bolt on the starter.

john walker's workshop · 01-21-2004, 07:16 AM

the only ones i remove as a unit are the 70-71, due to the throwout bearing to fork interface, and 87 up, due to the fork shaft. all others are engine only. much quicker. a decent jack with a plate bolted to it, and 2 pins sticking up from the plate to enter the rearmost heat exchanger holes, makes all the difference. the top nuts are accessed by reaching over the top of the engine, after the engine has been lowered enough to get to them. set the e/brake and put it in gear to keep the mainshaft from turning to help the splines mate on installation.

CarreraS2 · 01-21-2004, 07:19 AM

Being a DIYer (and by no means a pro), and having done it both ways several times, I would leave the trans in place, unless you want to take the trans out for some reason.

I've found it a lot faster, and yes, a lot EASIER, to leave the trans in place.

It is certainly easier to drop just the engine. Less things to unbolt, including the annoying CV joints. Much less mass to bring down and balance, too.

And, I've found it no more difficult to install just the engine. I really don't understand the problem with lining the two up. They just line up and you push them together. In a way, it's easier when the trans is in the car, because it is held stationary in place, and you just maneuver the engine to fit.

Reinstalling the engine and trans as a unit, I need help. Reinstalling just the engine, I can and have done solo. So which is easier??

All those saying the two must or should be removed together, is that what you are saying after actually TRIED both ways? Or just heard that?

(P.S. The above of course doesn't apply to those few 911 models where the 2 must be removed as a unit to get them separated).

Jadams1 · Jadams1's Garage

I did the engine only, left the tranny in place. The only part that was tricky was alligning the clutch fork into the throw out bearing when going back together. Other than that it was no problem.