Vac Servo
 

Here's a picture of what this thread is all about. The vacuum servo that operates the clutch on a Sportomatic equipped car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288540237.jpg
If I had to guess at failure analysis, old age would come in second to the diaphragm being done in by the grease flung up by a bad CV boot, or a combination of the two.
Well now the fun can really begin as the 'while I'm in there' side projects seem to be never ending. :(

problem areas
 

One of the problems I'm facing is this:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288548160.jpg
Notice the helicoils that are backing out of the trans mount holes. :(

COOL!

There is WAY too little information about Sportos here, I think it's great you are posting this. Ten years ago people had fear and loathing for MFI, now there are about 100 guys who are fluent. . . perhaps the Sporto will be that way in the future? I think those photos are great.

time-serts

A piece of aluminum strip between a pipe wrench and a fitting will give grip yet not leave the marks of a kludge.

On the heli-coils, I'd clean the hole with brake cleaner, blow out and swab a little Loctite in there and wind them back in. Next, I'd wipe any excess off from the inside.

What sizes did you use for the oil line? I see one of them is a 36mm, what's the other one? I'm going to pick those up at HF too.

wrenches
 

I used my two favorite sizes, big and almost too big...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288558083.jpg

Pipe wrenches? I like 'em, and use 'em - well, whenever I have to. Here are my faves. My dad, may he RIP, got these years ago, as witnessed by the $5.95 price inscribed onto the 18-incher. Both of those aluminum wrenches are incredibly light and easy to work with. The jaws are alloy, but are inset with steel teeth, as perhaps you can see. This humongous Crescent wrench also came from him. I like to think of these as Metric Adjustibles. In any case, great thread, Scott, and great pix. Let's see more.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288565703.jpg

I've got some 2 and 3 footers, grasshopper, lol!

pipe wrenches
 

DANG!
Went out to the garage to take a pic of my pipe wrenches, open the drawer and what do I find?
Another big adjustable! Forgot I had that one, from my dad's tools that I inherited.
Oh well, you can never have too many wrenches, right?;)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288568749.jpg

Rusnak, I'll see your three-footer and raise you this one - it measures 4.25 inches in length. Another Metric Adjustible, of course.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288569566.jpg

Special wrenches
 

Here's a picture of a special wrench.
I know, a lot of you will say "So what?"
It's just a Cresent adjustable, 6" model.
It's older than I am.
How do I know that?
It has my dad's initials stamped into it just below the thumb knurl. The initials are JJK, meaning this was done before he changed his last name to Douglas.
This wrench has been in my tool box for a long time, as I managed to sneak it out of my dad's box when I was still in high school. I like the way the Cresent isn't square cut along the base of the jaws so the nut nestles down in the jaw securely.
It also just feels, well, right, when I hold it in my hand. I have a good many wrenches in my box, but few, if any, have this 'feel'.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288573287.jpg
Maybe it's me, but I think it feels that way for a reason.

back on track
 

Just to get this thread back on track.
This shows where I stand now with the engine/trans.
Since I'd rather be safe than sorry, I don't think I'll be getting the engine out from under the car.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288659738.jpg

Engine out!
 

Well, after talking with a friend who had problems with a throwout bearing, I decided I'd better round up some friends and get the engine out from under the car. I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season as without friends I wouldn't have been able to get it out from under the car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290292744.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290292761.jpg

Now to clean it up a tad and get the trans off so I can remove the TO.
Thanks for the help guys. ;)

progress
 

OK, made a little progress this morning.
Got it clean enough to handle (well almost) and not get totally hosed with grease.
Question for the brain trust here, should I be able to separate the trans now with only the nuts I've removed in the photo being taken off? I'm hoping the answer is yes.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290373047.jpg
Am I right in thinking there's a couple of dowel pins on the lower side that align everything? I can't see any more bolts/nuts to remove at that parting line.

Sporto fun
 

OK, moving right along.
Got the throwout bearing out but there's no part number on it. :confused:
Any ideas?
I'd like to put a new one in if at all possible. If not I think I can get this apart and repack it with grease.
Thoughts?
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290460918.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290460937.jpg

Send the pics to Glenn at Pelican Parts <glenn@pelicanparts.com> he'll match it up for ya....

Here are mine.....one is actually a "Metric Wrench"....:rolleyes: The other is an 18 incher.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290463555.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290463580.jpg

Hi Scott

Just about to drop the engine (for the 1st time). Could you take a picture showing the pressure point of your engine "scaffolding".

Cheers

JJ

Scaffolding
 

Here you go JJ.
We had good luck as the balance was just about perfect fore and aft with the trans attached. It did want to slide off to the driver's side though for some reason. I think the exhaust might have done it.
There are three points along the 2x4. In the center and out at the ends for balance. Not much weight is out on the ends.
Hope this helps and good luck.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1290472112.jpg