Clutch.....

I would strongly advise everyone never to change their own clutch its a nightmare! Started at 10 this morning (was meant to be 9 but the lift wasnt free when I landed at the garage) and finished at 6 tonight. Ive got the engine and gearbox out and thats it.......had to hack saw both handbrake cables as they were solidly attahced to the callipers (lost an hour there waiting for the main man to fire up his gas welder to inject some heat to try and free them), I have quite a few bruises and I'm bloody knackered! I cant wait til its all back together....I suspect I will have nightmares about refitting the lump tonight....god knows how that will work as it fell out the bottom of the shell in a very haphazard manner .....lining up will be a complete nightmare!

No piccies then
Cheer up Peter .It will probably fly back in tomorrow

This may help some other people, in French though....

http://www.alpinerenaulttuning.co.uk/engineout.pdf

[stephendell]

I'm expecting an english version from Peter when he's finished!

Peter,
You'd have saved a load of grief if you'd dealt with the handbrake cable as suggested (in the post re Handrake). Cutting the groove doesn't ruin them - they are still perfectly usable with the groove, but can always be welded back up. Best of luck with the remainder of the job.Looking forward to reading about it (assuming you can still type with those swollen knuckles).

Even if I had cut the groove it wouldnt have worked.....they were absolutely solid, I suspect it still had the original cable in. Latest is that the clutch didnt fit so I'm waiting for a replacement to hopefully arrive tomorrow.

[Alpineandy]

Latest is that the clutch didnt fit.

From Renault?

Peter,
Is your car stuck on some workshop's ramps all this time? That must cost!

Re the instructions above - When I floated this as a way of getting the engine out of the car a few months ago it was booted out of court as a health and safety nightmare and a quick way to cripple a classic sportscar - is it standard practice now that some French bloke has photographed it? I do note however that there are no photos proving that it will all go back together again!

Anyone know a cheap source of wheeled bread boards?

The clutch that didnt fit was EBC and the ramp isnt costing me a penny...the local gaage owner has lent me the space for nowt (he is a long suffering kind of guy and I pay my bills on time!). Before going ahead with this, David did ok my plan to use a 4 post lift and it works, could just do with a trolley to wheel the oily bits round on. Will let you know if it goes back together or not!!!

That was their last 'off the shelf' clutch too, ill probably find out it wasnt even for a Renault when I get it back..

[Alpineandy]

The clutch that didnt fit was EBC

I've heard that a number of times before about their clutches.
Shame, cos their brake pads have such a good reputation.

Its back together now! The Renault clutch arrived at 1100 and was in by 1130. Refitted the engine/gearbox assembly this afternoon. It wasnt the nightmare that I thought it was going to be......couple of trolley jacks and a bit of patience! Just need to do the brakes and put the turbo back on. Wont ever be doing it again though.....lots of stress. Did save a couple of kgs in weight by ditching various brackets and things

Well Done, Peter. You must be relieved.
How long did the complete job take without the handbrake problem and waiting time for the correct clutch?

Now youre talking! If I hadnt needed to have change the brake pipes, callipers (the drag must have been losing me quite a few stallions at the wheels!!! ) or hang about for handbrake etc, it would have been quite quick. On Tuesday I actually worked 8 hours but could have shaved at least 1 1/2 off that, yesterday I only did about an hour on the job we're talking about and the rest 'tidying'. Today I'd say about 4 hours. Reckon I need another 4 hours to put the rest back together, but again some of that will be sorting the brakes. Its a huge relief to have done the hard bits and suprisingly easy to get it back in the car ,which was the bit that had really been worrying me! I wouldnt recommend it to anyone but I have saved a lot of money and know the car inside out now! Having smaller hands would have been a big advantage for things like the reverse cable and some of the electrical wires.
I dont think I fancy the cams David has anymore......at least not until I can afford to pay someone to fit them, or the memory of this has faded enough to make me think it was easy and I did it all in 2 days!!!!