??-prep'n for engine/tranny drop, question for forum

[Blk95993]

I am a newbie to big projects like this. I bought this car to learn and am excited about its potential. Forgive me in advance for what seems like simple questions; however, I am taking a huge step with regards to this project. Thanks for the help and patience in advance.

Couple of questions in prep for an engine/tranny drop on my 79 SC:


Wayne's tech article is specific for just droppin the engine. If I am droppin both, do I still need to remove/disconnect clutch arm assembly?? I have searched the forum but just want to double check on each step. Any other similar scenarios that apply with droppin the tranny in conjuction with the engine? My intentions are to remove the tranny once the engine is dropped so that I can replace 1st/2nd syncros.






Also, how do I disconnect this unit? Tips are appreciated from the SC guru's!!

[North Coast Cab]

Yes, and there is a circlip around the bottom of the clutch arm. Remove it and then the whole thing slides off. Almost all references to Engine Drop include the transmission as it's almost impossible to remove the engine with out the transmission attached.

Good luck.

[randywebb]

There are quite a few threads on this if you search. Use the gray search box at the bottom RH side of the bbs main page - the one that lists the most recent threads.

Go SLOW - check for wires you forgot - and have a cell phone & 1 or 2 helpers with you. The power unit weighs over 500 lbs. so it is not to be trifled with. Obviously do not wear sandals... (The phone is to call 911 in case someone is hurt.)

You might want to make up a list that is specific to your car.

Check off each wire/hose etc. as you go.

[TERRIBLEHONDO]

I did my first Porsche engine drop last year. I did engine any trany together per the forums advice. The Bentley book covers this drop well. I used Waynes book also. I did it solo with no problems. I unhooked everything and lowered the engine with the car only 16" up on jack stands. Once I had it down I raised the car the rest of the way so I could roll the engine out. When I put it back in I did it the same way. I think the jack stands where 12 ton so that I could get the height to roll the engine out. I had to pull the valence to clear the cis. Good Luck Go slow and double check is good advice.

[Blk95993]

Thanks for the feedback. Like I said, I have searched the forum and read pretty much everything I can regards the whole process. Regardless, I still want to double check so I don't make some stupid mistake....

I will probably use this thread to drop questions when I get stuck. Hope everyone can continue to guide me through this new process. Just as a reference, about the most complex work I have done on my past p cars is change the oil, add a chip, sways, exhausts, etc...nothing to complex...

[randywebb]

I would not do it alone - esp. the first time.

Best if someone who has done it several times before helps you.

Randy Cale is also in Ga. IIRC, & there must be others.

[AngM018]

Be VERY carefull when removing that spring. WEAR safety glasses!! Waynes books says that it will pop when removing and it did, well it popped again, and shot right at my face. I have a good size scratch on my safety glasses right where my eye would of been.

I removed my engine and tranny on my own with only the board to help. It really isnt that difficult, just take your time and double check everything is removed connecting tranny, and engine to the body before dropping. also makes it easier to drop engine, lift car up to clear it, and remove the rear bumper for extra clearance. Good Luck!

[Mo_Gearhead]

I purchased a GREAT device for engine/trans removal. Fellow Missourian (no affiliation) makes them, sells them on ebay (do a search for Porsche tools).

It is made to cradle the engine sump area, perfect fit. Has a rubber pad to protect engine. Has a bolt underneath to change the angle (for re-install). Made to fit most floor jacks. I did have to drill a hole in the lifting pad of my Walker to accept it.

I've had my engine/trans. in and out twice ...did it both times BY MYSELF, in about two and one half hours, same technique as TerribleHondo.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by randywebb
I would not do it alone - esp. the first time.

Best if someone who has done it several times before helps you.

Randy Cale is also in Ga. IIRC, & there must be others.

Randy, I think you mean me, Randy Cecale. Yes, I do live in Georgia, and have in fact been by Curry's (Blk95993) house to have a look.

Other than that, what you say is absolutely correct!

Having someone there, for your "virgin" drop will make the job go much smoother. As others have mentioned, you need to watch out for the missed wires, and such, and multiple pairs of eyeballs are best for this.

When I did my own drop (the one and only time I did it), I did all the disconnecting work myself and when it came time to drop the eng/tran assembly out of the car, I put out a 911 call to a couple of local Pelicans. They showed up 5 minutes later and 15 minutes after that, we had that thing out of there. (We also saw a wire that was still connected, on the way out too. Prolly wouldn't have seen it all by myself)

Floor jacks are good for the job, but if/when it comes time for me to do another drop, I plan to have an ATV jack like this one to support the assembly.


Curry, when you decide when you're ready to drop it, put the word out for an engine-drop party. I'm sure we can get at least a few Pelicans over to partake in the festivities! I know I'd love to be there!!!

Randy

[randywebb]

Randy - Sorry to drop the "Ce"!

I'll add that yes one can do this alone, but it is safer, easier and more fun to have help. I just helped a friend put his motor in (hotrodded motor into a '70E) and it took us only 45 minutes.

People love that yellow platform & ATV jacks - I've never bothered with them (cost, storage space), but if there is a group in an area it makes sense to do a group buy or one person can buy then sell used to the next guy.

Beer & pizza tend to be powerful motivators for helpers.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by randywebb
Beer & pizza tend to be powerful motivators for helpers.

It gets me out of bed in the morning!

Randy

[TERRIBLEHONDO]

I would not argue with getting help to do it. It is the smart thing to do. Its much safer in case of emergency. If it is someone with experience even better. If you cannot you can do it yourself.

[randywebb]

I was just trolling thru old Email (I need to drop mine to fix the ring gear) and I found this:

This is a method suggested to me by a sage. Raise the ENTIRE car level on jackstands. Ultimately, the rear valance will need to clear the motor, but you don't need all of that height while disconnecting. Do all the disconnecting, and then drop the motor a few inches. THEN you slowly lower the front end. This raises the rear end by pivoting on the jacks under the t-bars. Lower the ATV jack to the ground and back the motor out. This will ultimately give you the clearance to pull the motor back, and you've been working with a level motor and chassis, and the motor wasn't ever 3 feet in the air!

The install is the reverse, and again, you don't need to lift the motor way up into the car, bring the car to the motor. Also, you're mating the motor up to a level chassis.

- I've never tried it, but it's an interesting idea. The car would be less stable while up on 4 stands instead of 2 stands + front tires...

[rattlsnak]

curry, when are you going to yank it out?

[dentist90]

The engine/tranny balances nicely on the sump area, but watch closely for tipping as you lower it. Tipping usually indicates you're hung up on something or forgot a connection. I personally found the biggest challenge was getting the necessary clearance to roll the motor/tranny out from behind. I had the front of my car on ramps and about 24" jackstands under the torsion bar covers. If you can remove your rear bumper/valance you'll find it a lot easier. Mine was rusted tight... would have been a whole other project to get the bumper off.
I just did what you're talking about for the first time last winter, and I'm no mechanic either. But it's really straightforward. If you've spoken to Randy C and read his post you're halfway done!





Sky-high and still couldn't get the motor out! Because I couldn't get the bumper off I just seperated the tranny under the car and slid it out. After your first drop you'll probably want to do it every two years just to clean it up and adjust the valves!!

[BrokeMyCar]

Watch when you're trying to remove the helper spring that you don't have a pin instead of a circlip holding it in place. Apparently a few SCs were made that way...

Throw-Out Arm Removal: Leverage?

[SWISSMADE]

Hi, I managed to drop my engine/tranny without taking the bumper off, just the valance. If you have an air pump on your car, I recommend taking it off beforehand 'cos it gets in the way.

Good luck and enjoy the sense of achievement afterwards...it's great.

Mike.

[rcecale]

Curry,

One thing I've been meaning to mention to you...should have said something that day I was over at your place...the slight slope on your garage floor kinda worries me. To raise the rear-end high enough to not have to remove your rear bumper/valance, you really have to extend those jack stands. I'm concerned that raising them that high, with that slight slope you have on the garage floor, just might throw off the center of balance on the rear stands. You may want to lower the car and place something under the rear legs of the stands to straighen them up.

Also, make sure you place the removed rear tires under the rear of the floor pan, for additional safety.

Just my own $.02.

Randy

[Blk95993]

Randy-
Thanks for the suggestion regards the jack stand. I found some good concrete blocks, which have raised the jacks up pretty high. I think I remove the valance, we should be in business to pull that sucker out. Thinking about this weekend for the drop. Still have a couple items left to remove, but getting close.

[Blk95993]

Mark-
Thinkin about this weekend if a couple folks are available. Already got a bunch of fresh squeezed red and whites marinating in the cooler. Let me know what type of food your wife won't let you eat, and I will go buy it.