Gearbox Replacement

[BIG_MVS]

Right bad news about the project, it needs a new gearbox We were told it was a driveshaft but it looks like either the diff or main shaft has gone in the box.

Thankfully we have got a good spare so question is what is the best way of swapping it?

Please bear in mind if we were to have a go at this ourselves it would be outside on a gravel drive with no ramp etc. So we need the swap to be quick and as easy as possible.

What's the best way of doing it, Engine out of the hatch then remove gearbox? Or remove the whole subframe from underneath assuming we can get it high enough?

Drop the guts out the bottom .Get an 8b4 sheet of crate ply and park the car on it first .You will need a big lump of lumber to span under the jacking points ,two high lift jacks , a bread trolley ,some axle stands and good weather .



Or ..... ...I'm not exactly rushed of my feet at present

[BIG_MVS]

Yes you or paddy the irishman would be more then fit for the job but old Ed being a proud man(and this being what he actually does for a living of sorts) would like to have a go himself with me assisting on kettle duties no doubt

So drop the subframe then, are these high jacks available to rent from somewhere like a tool hire shop or somewhere else

No .....

You don't need that high a lift .A normal trolley jack with perhaps a little block would suffice .I used a pair of farm jacks last time .
Main issue is getting the sub-frame back in ...there's a knack

The fastest way would be to send it over to me!!!!!

Honestly though, give me a call. Something you should know about gearboxes...............

Something you should know about gearboxes...............

Can`t you share it with us all.......I thought this was what this Forum was all about

As an aside, I did`nt have any trouble getting my engin and gearbox out the rear hatch, split of course,....I put the car on four 2inch blocks of wood, to give me enough clearance to slip underneath to disconnect the gearbox linkage, and remove the "D" plate at the bottom of the bell housing, and out it came once the glass was removed, disconnecting all the bits and pieces of course. The only thing you will require is an engin hoist, trolly jack and two axle stands, but as you are on gravel, the 8 x 4 sheet, as mentioned above would be useful to move the hoist on. Once the engin is out, axle stands in, rear wheels off, calipers off, disconnect top of wheel bearing housing link (or what ever it is called) draw shafts from g/b splines, unbolt g/b mounting, and it slides out underneath. And I was able to to it all by myself.
I have found quite often what appears to be the longest way, is the easiest in the long run

[BIG_MVS]

I'm sure it's possible either way and Ed is preferring the "out of the top" method for safety more than anything. Isn't the Atmo lump easier to get out of the back though due to not having Turbo, water and boost hoses etc?

I'll give you a bell this week Richard.

Isn't the Atmo lump easier to get out of the back though due to not having Turbo, water and boost hoses etc?

I`m sure you are right Martin, but once the silencer is removed and the engin is disconnected from the bell housing, there is room to ease it towards the back of the engin bay before lifting it out. The other Water & Boost hoses come under ........."all the other bits and pieces"
Really its just a bit of extra time, all bits can be removed easily.
But safety is the real point here, having the car up high enough on axle stands or some form of props on gravel to be able to get the engin out from underneath, even on a 8 x 4 is not what I consider safe, especially as you will have to be underneath most of the time pulling and pushing. If I remember rightly, while up on stands to remove wheels, I placed the wheels with possibly a couple of bits of wood, one under each side, which was sufficient in the event of a stand failing. Better safe than sorry.
One other little point on reassembly, arrange a spline on the g/b shaft at 12 o`clock, and the corresponding grove in the center of the flywheel at 12 o`clock also, a little wiggle and in it goes

[BIG_MVS]

Gearbox all done thanks to Ed's hard efforts

Engine sounds sweet as a nut, in fact the quietest I think I have ever heard Service items next and then Chumley here we come hopefully.

Will it have a For Sale sign on it innit ?

[BIG_MVS]

Yes it should be up for sale, unles Ed falls in love with it. Should be looking like this again very soon

LOL 3 months!!!

Really though, well done lads. Another one saved.