1982 PININFARINA, REMOVING ENGINE

[HAWKER]

Can anyone give me a feel for what I can anticipate when I lift the engine out of the engine bay and the possible problems with it hanging up on the transmission shaft. Is it a piece of cake with an engine hoist. There is some reference in the Maintenance Manual as to lifting the transmission a bit to facilitate the engine removal. All I have to do, I think, now is remove the four bolts holding the bell housing to the engine and slide it forward and out. All the Maintenance manual suggestions have been complied with. I would like to replace the gaskets, have a shop adjust the valves and clean the engine bay up a bit. then slide her back in there. I know it will not go smooth. Anyone done this before? I have this fear of a thousand parts falling out or bending the trans shaft. Would it be wise to take the trans out first, it needs a 2nd gear syncro anyway.

[pope]

Take your trans out first unless you can take out the engine with the transmission.

If you trans needs a 2nd gear syncro then it needs all the syncros. Dont just replace the first worn part, they are all getting worn.

[htchevyii]

It's possible, but tough to remove the complete engine & trans as a unit. There is barely enough clearance, with the engine at a steep angle and it's a two person job. If you are going to remove the head for any reason, I find it much easier to pull the head, complete with manifolds off and then remove the block and trans togeather. The ten head bolts are cake to remove compared to the bellhousing and starter bolts. Somewhere there's a thread with a discussion on the pros and cons of the various methods, put I am unable to find it.

[So Cal Mark]

if you decide to leave the trans in, make sure you support it with a jack

[manoa matt]

This will help with the trans removal: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 1f7efb3efe

It will be a lot easier if you first remove the head with the intake and exhaust manifolds like previously noted. It will allow you to get access to the upper two trans to engine bolts much easier than from below with extensions and a swivle joint. I've been able to remove those bolts with a wrench. If you have a boxed end wrench that has the slight angle near the closed end then you can fit it on the head of the bolt and smack it with a rubber mallet towards the driver's side to break it free. The lifting tab thats on the passenger side bolt may present a problem. I left it out when I re-installed the engine and trans. You would only use that lift point if you removed the engine and trans together and I don't think I'll ever do that.

Once you got the head and trans out plucking the block out of the engine bay should be pretty easy.

[HAWKER]

Thanks for your help. You can feel the understanding out there as to working on this car. With this guidance I will remove the trans. since it needs work anyway; and then take the head off to gain access to the top bell housing bolts.
With reguard to removing the trans. I might need the Fiat Yota to advise me as to a real problem that I have noticed under the car. The trans support bracket bolts were snapped off and threads stripped on a previous install, it is being held now securely by cross threaded nuts. One of the mount post is about a half inch long with good threads though. I am almost confident that the mount bolts will shear off when I try to crank off those binding nuts. I should say I am confident! Has anyone ever replaced a trans mounting bolt by getting creative inside the car and drilling down or up from the previous bolts site. This has really discouraged me. I know there is a way to proceed and find a way to rebuild up the support bolts for the trans.bearing and flexfitting. What a mess huh. Additionally, can anyone tell me why I have been living under this car? Do not give up on me Yota, you are my only light.

[htchevyii]

If you are going to remove the head, I'd go ahead and leave the trans connected to the engine. Without the head there's plenty of clearance to get the assy out. I don't know what it would hurt to just drill holes and put bolts thru from the top, but if they are going thru a boxed section, you may need to insert sleeves to keep it from collapsing. Good luck with your Spider!