Should I go for it, your just pay to get it done. Transmission?

[Eli W]

Here is my car, since everyone loves pics,



It is a 77 S with a 78 SC engine that now has twin plugs and is 3.2L. But the car needs a little attention. 1st and 2nd gear are grinding and need to be replaced.

So to do that I have to do an engine drop. Then separate the transmission from the motor.

The idea is that I do the engine drop portion of the work, separate the transmission and take it in to have it worked on. Then once everything is in order put it all back together.

How hard of task is this? Should I go for it?

I'm okay mechanically and have cousin that is pretty darn good and a local Porsche Mechanic who is great and friendly.

[Joe Bob]

Always good to have an assistant, the right tools and safety equipment. Do a search on the procedure. Post your location and you will likely get a volunteer to help.

Have you picked a rebuilder? If not local plan on how to ship it.

Take your time, mark/label wires, take pics, ask questions, clean and store items in clear plastic bags, have adequate room, be SAFE.

A first time drop, should take 3 hours, less if you have help and are an experienced wrench.

Good luck.

[mikl911]

Agree with Joe pictures and label everything. Lots of information on how too out there. All you need is basic mechanical skills to remove everything, splitting them can be tricky do your research.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by Eli W

Here is my car, since everyone loves pics,



It is a 77 S with a 78 SC engine that now has twin plugs and is 3.2L. But the car needs a little attention. 1st and 2nd gear are grinding and need to be replaced.

So to do that I have to do an engine drop. Then separate the transmission from the motor.

The idea is that I do the engine drop portion of the work, separate the transmission and take it in to have it worked on. Then once everything is in order put it all back together.

How hard of task is this? Should I go for it?

I'm okay mechanically and have cousin that is pretty darn good and a local Porsche Mechanic who is great and friendly.

Have your cousin do the work, keep beer and bbq handy, and you can watch and learn, and a little $$ for his troubles!

[T77911S]

if a shop does the tranny work you need to find out if they warranty their work if you do the install.

depending on what you use to support the engine makes a difference.
even for guys like me that have dropped them, by myself, balancing and engine on a floor jack, then getting the car hi enough to get it out from under the car can be a bit nerve racking.

the actual work does not take a genius but like I said, the balancing act is tricky.

I made a jig to fit my tranny jack for removing my 930 motor. with the turbo and IC the balancing is even worse, not to mention added weight.

my trick for getting the motor out now is getting the car as hi as can, removing the front wheels then dropping the nose down as far as it will go. even with my large tranny jack I am able to roll the engine out complete.
I use to set he motor on a dolly, then put a board under the rear floor pan (did not like that) and raise the car. a LOT more work.

separating the tranny you will need to support the engine and tranny to remove the tranny. also, you have to remove the arm on the clutch on the bottom of the tranny so the TO bearing can release form the clutch. you also have to reengage that when putting it back together.

here is my rig. with the IC and muffler it is still a bit tail heavy. I can change the angle of the engine with the tranny jack.

its an experience and a great way to get to know your car and really appreciate it.

[T77911S]

oh, despite red, beautiful car. love the duck tail.

[Joe Bob]

Also consider while you are in there, preventive maintenance work on the motor. Any oil leaks? Search for "Triangle of Death". The "S" oil line, Clutch, TO and PP. CVs, rear brakes, brake fluid, etc....

On your trans, the WEVO intermediate plate is a GOOD thing. A bit pricey for a flat piece of machined aluminum but it keeps the shafts from flexing and grenading the gear set. BTDT. Make sure the bearing race at the plate is snugly pressed in.

If the trans is an early 915, consider a later side cover. More $$ but adding an LSD is nice upgrade.

Never used the WEVO shift gate that is also offered but I hear good things. I LOVE spending other people's money.....

[911 Rod]

Do you know how to check the specs?

[DRACO A5OG]

Go for it OP, with 3 you will be just fine, Just take it slow and steady. Post here for any questions.

[Eli W]

Thanks for all the info.

I know, agree about the red, my wife would not let me take it back to the original Chocolate Brown.

And on the specs I was going to buy Wayne's book. The great thing is my cousin has a lift.

[nixtfy]

Sounds like it should work out with 3 of you. I helped a friend do this on his 911. Only removed and reinstalled the motor. I never got comfortable under the car. When my car needed a transmission I just paid for it to be done.

[Eli W]

I would gladly pay for it. But I have two kids in private school now and some how my free fun money is all dried up.

Any pointers on balancing the motor? When I drop it?
Cause, I don't want to drop the motor when I drop it.

[r_towle]

Originally Posted by joe bob

also consider while you are in there.......

lol

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by Eli W

I would gladly pay for it. But I have two kids in private school now and some how my free fun money is all dried up.

Any pointers on balancing the motor? When I drop it?
Cause, I don't want to drop the motor when I drop it.

The 78sc case has this big, round, thick sump cover where you can support the engine with a nice round jack. That goes a long way in balancing the engine. You do need to jacks, one under the gearbox and one under the sump.

Get two small moving dollies and slide them under the heat exchangers. Go slow, you won't drop it.

[Eli W]

Well I'm now ready to go with my Transmission and while I'm in there project.

I want to thank the Forum for there input.

I was talking to my cousin and we were discussing how we were going to tackle this, while I was driving in the car with my wife. As soon as she found out what I was planning she told just take it in.

Perfect! Even better.

Already set up with my shop guy, I have the parts, does 1,200 for the engine drop transmission rebuild and install sound reasonable less the parts?

Keep in mind my Porsche Mechanic was trained in Germany back in the 70s and all he has ever done is Porsche.

[nixtfy]

Sounds like you will be out enjoying the open road very soon. I know a lot of people here have done the engine drops. The task to me seems daunting. Probably would take me months to complete. These are no longer so much hobby cars. Collector cars with expensive parts where everything needs to be done just right.

FYI with my last transmission rebuild my mechanic had to remove it a 2 x just to get it right.

[Rodsrsr]

Do it! The R&R portion is not that hard at all. You'll save a ton of money, get to know your car and most importantly you'll have the opportunity to address issues that you only have access to while to motors out. It only took me an hour and a half to drop the motor on my 76 by myself. I like the idea of pulling the front wheels to get more clearance.

[CCM911]

And if you want to make the process foolproof, borrow and ATV jack from a friend. The heat exchangers drop right onto it, and the is no need to worry about balancing the engine on a small jack. Just take your time and try not to be a hero.

[mikl911]

$1200 is reasonable for that work if done right.

[porschenut]

As long as you're replacing gears, you have a golden opportunity to look into new gear sets with closer ratios for 2, 3 and 4. It will make the car a LOT faster and more fun, like adding 50 bhp.

By the way, around these parts an engine R/R is about $500. How in the world is your shop going to rebuild the transmission with 2 new gears for $600?? All the tranny rebuilds I've heard of are well into the thousands.