Engine drop, pros/ cons of dropping trans too

[tevake]

I've assisted in a few engine and trans drops in 911 SCs helping friends. And with mine but with a helpful experienced guidance.
I need to fix some oils leaks at the front of my SC's engine, now on my own.
Have newer clutch, and Trans is shifting well so no need for the trans to come out.

Are there any special challenges to removing and reinstalling just the engine and leaving the trans in place?

Have done just that many times years ago with VWs, just not with 911s.

Are there good reasons to remove the engine and trans as a package, then not needing to separate them?

Thanks for any tips.

Cheers Richard

[Sboxin]

Its just easier doing both engine and trans as one unit . . 4 big bolts, slide back a couple of inches and drop . . . yes, I know there are CVs to unbolt and shift linkage . . . but this is not your VW . . .

Regards,

Originally Posted by tevake

Are there good reasons to remove the engine and trans as a package, then not needing to separate them?

Thanks for any tips.

Cheers Richard

[tevake]

Thanks for the reply Sboxin.
Our cars look similar. Mine is on the right, it's metalic black. Has some dark brown in good light.
I'm thinking its time to replace the axel bolts if they come apart again.

Cheers Richard

[rattlsnak]

It can be done, but it is a major pain because there is no room to slide the engine backward to get the input shaft out of the clutch assembly ( or going back in) without dropping everything down anyway so at that point, might as well just pull as a unit.

[tevake]

Yep, it was problems going back in that was circling around in the back of my mind.

But I was reading the tech article here about engine drop, it was focused on dropping just the engine, so I started thinking of going that way and saving a few steps.

But it can be a pain to separate and then realign the engine with the trans going back in ?

Cheers Richard

[McLovin]

I've done it both ways.

IMO just dropping the engine and leaving the trans in place is easier. For a lot of reasons.

My guess is if you surveyed pro shops, where time is money, 9 or 10 out of 10 would take out just the engine.

[bigel]

Granted I'm a novice and have only performed the removal of engine/trans as a unit, but I can't imagine how, although possible, you'd consider it "easier" to remove just the engine.

Simply considering Marc's point above.

I had a bit of a time mating up the engine and transmission with them both outside the engine bay, on level ground...

[swade]

Both, way easier.

[911SauCy]

I yanked both assuming replacement would be more straight forward...also, the bolts holding the trans to the case were hidden in 38 years of grease cake.

[puddy]

I'm no expert but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...

I think its way easier leaving trans in place. Thats how i've done it and wouldn't change a thing. I had no issues other than needing an extra set of hands to steady the engine & trans while going back up into the chassis. I did it all with a ATV/motor cycle floor jack and some custom shaped blocks of wood. Was so much easier than I made it out to be in my head.

[Sboxin]

.
.
A couple of things we have learned - -

Raise the front to get more level when removing the trans shift rod out of the body . . .

Use 2 jacks/lifts - one on engine and one on trans to hold shift rod from catching in body hole . . .

After rod id out then lower front to raise rear and get more height to get engine out from under
car . . .

It really helps to have 2 people - one on engine and one under car on trans . . .

Regards,

[yelcab1]

I have only done it the combo way, and I am really good at that now. In 2 hours, it is out.

But, I know that the pro like John Walker does it with just the engine. He, however, has a very unique plate that bolts to the engine to help with installation.

If you are novice, drop both.

[tevake]

Thanks for the input.
We seem evenly divided on the subject.
I'm now planning to go ahead and do the combo drop, it's what I have done and is not all that much more work. Since the axel bolts have been off and back on at least a few times, they are due for replacement this time so no big deal.

Better the longer process that I am familure with, than a short cut that could present some unknown issues.

I may be touching as the job unfolds, really appreciate the knowledge and support available here.

Cheers Richard

[db_cooper]

Back in the late 80's when i was working as a tech at the local Porsche dealership..we had a fellow from California that pulled 911 engines leaving the tranny in place..which always baffled me.

So one day we had a shoot-out. Two 3.2 911s that needed new clutches..side by side in the shop..he did one leaving the tranny in place with his special rig and I did the other traditionally dropping both tranny/engine and doing the clutch job.

All said, I was out test driving my clutch job 911 and he was still in the shop finishing his work...

Took him about 45 min minutes longer (and he was a notorious speedy tech) to do the job.

[Dr J]

Done it both ways. But... When I dropped just the engine I could not align it with the transmission so I ended up having to drop the tranny separately, mating them, and installing the whole thing. Since then I always drop both together. Dropping with tranny doesnt take all that much,extra work, except for the removal of the axles which I always find a bit of a pain.