S3 Engine and Gearbox removal

S3 Engine and Gearbox removal

Author
Discussion

Scuba Joe

Original Poster:

31 posts

90 months

Monday 27th July 2020
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Hi all,
Is there a link on this forum to removing both engine and gearbox in 1, and is this the best way if I want to clean up the front chassis in the meantime?

Scuba Joe

Original Poster:

31 posts

90 months

Saturday 8th August 2020
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Any takers on this one please?

Bercilac

295 posts

76 months

Saturday 8th August 2020
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I pulled my S1 engine and box using a block and tackle after removing the body but I guess yours will be similar so here's what I did - maybe some kind soul with a 2.9 will update this for the differences:

1. Disconnect and remove battery.
2. Remove bonnet.
3. Drain coolant and remove radiator, swirl pot and coolant pipes (including heater pipes).
4. Disconnect clutch hydraulic pipe.
5. Disconnect speedo drive/sender (if electric) and reverse switch.
6. Disconnect starter cables and oil pressure sender.
7. Remove air filter/associate throttle housings.
8. Unplug all engine electrical connections and remove throttle cable.
9. Disconnect and remove fuel system (easy on a 2.8, no idea on the 2.9)
10. Disconnect and remove exhaust pipes (the 2 that go forward and down from the manifolds)
11. Drain oil and unbolt engine and 'box mounts and remove gear lever from inside car.
12. Strap, chain or bolt on lifting gear, put a washing up bowl under the gearbox where the prop shaft locates.
13. Lift the nose of the engine and push the chassis back (block and tackle) or pull the engine crane back until the prop shaft pops off (may dribble oil).
14. Rag it back and up until completely out, drop it on a pallet get a cup of tea.
15. Refitting is a reversal of removal :-)

Apologies if I've missed anything but a quick check for anything still connected is a good idea.

Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours and yes, I think trying to restore a chassis without removing the engine and box would be a complete pain. You would end up with chassis paint on everything - in fact, why not pull the body off and do the whole thing?

Scuba Joe

Original Poster:

31 posts

90 months

Sunday 9th August 2020
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That’s really useful. Thank you. I haven’t really considered taking the whole body off - maybe when I have more time!

I’m also thinking of upgrading the heads and cams whilst out. I don’t want to change the power plant, but subtle upgrades are fine in my book. Then, strip the front chassis a repaint as per original and the same with the front suspension with a brake upgrade.

I thought box and engine together would be easier so that is good news!

mentall

469 posts

137 months

Sunday 9th August 2020
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I agree with everything except:

Bercilac said:
Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours
Removing engine mounts from chassis (and/or from engine) will take more than a couple of hours on its own. And a wide selection of spanners, especially ratchet ring spanners. And many, many expletives!

Bercilac

295 posts

76 months

Sunday 9th August 2020
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Haha yes I know what you mean. I used a standard number three rusty nut remover. It takes about 20 seconds to cut them off!

Scuba Joe

Original Poster:

31 posts

90 months

Sunday 9th August 2020
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Best get some more tools then!