Alfa Pages

lee16v · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:26 pm Post subject: Gearbox removal......

Hi,
I've decided to remove the box to investigate the nasty noise thats appeared when the clutch pedal is depressed. I'm assuming it's the thrust bearing as when i'm driving ie, in gear, there's no noise. Can anyone tell me if it's possible to take the box out leaving the engine in place. I'd also appreciate any pointers/tips on this task as i've not done it on a 33 before.
Sorry if this has been covered before but i had a look through and didn't come up with anything.

paulhide · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:35 pm Post subject:

There is a big thread on here somewhere about it. It can be done. Depends upon what equipment you have and how much help. If you're on your own and on the ground then it's easier to drop the whole engine and gearbox together as mating the gearbox back to the engine in this situation cannot be fun. On my own I can drop an engine out in 4 hours and put it back in and running with a hoist in 5 or 6. A few months ago I dropped an engine out with a mate in 2hours 20 min.
_________________
Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

lee16v · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks Paul, appreciate that
Well just to let anyone else know that the box comes out quite easily without removing the engine.
I tackled it on saturday and after removing the front pipe, disconnecting the driveshafts/ wiring to gearbox i undid the rear gearbox mount and the main engine/box mount on the bulkhead then the box slid out with the engine tilted back slightly. As Paul said, i recommend the help of another person especially getting the box back in but all in all not to bad a job to do.
I knew it was time the release bearing was changed when i split the box from the motor and the individual bearings fell out Shocked

Cheers

Ben_nz · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:16 pm Post subject:

If you undid the main engine/box mount, what was holding the engine in? Just radiator pipes and some wires?
Did you use a hoist to get the gearbox out?

lee16v · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Ben,
Fair question! I had the engine supported on a trolley jack. When the mount was undone I then let the jack down gently until the heads were just above the front suspension arms. This allowed the engine to tilt backwards (without any undue stress on the water pipes/ wiring etc) which gave enough clearance for the box to come out. Luckily the top mount also comes off the box which you have to do... if it hadn't then i would have been screwed! The box was then slid out on another jack and dropped to the floor( 2 of us.....don't recommend on your own) The only thing i removed up top was the rubber hose from the AFM to the intake manifold to allow the tilt! This was all done on a couple of portable ramps and if you don't mind scrambling about on the floor it's worth a go!