Technical Remove engine complete with transmission?

[ErikK]

Well it looks like I need to remove the transmission, to service the clutch and also to give access for some rust repairs. I've removed transmissions lying on my back many times, so much fun. But in this case I already have the head off the engine and all the wiring removed, so it would be only two more nuts to remove the engine with the trans. I *think* I've done it that way once or twice back in the day, but I'm not sure I remember the details. Can somebody check me on this?
- Hood has to come off of course.
- All the usual stuff to remove driveshaft, exhaust, etc.
- I think I need to do something about the steering tie rod that passes under the engine, to give clearance for the bellhousing. It looks like I could unbolt the steering idler from the frame rail and let it and the tie rods sag down. Will this give enough clearance? Or do I need to separate the tie rod ends?
- Then undo the motor mounts, slide it forward and up, lift it out.

Have I missed anything? Any tips?

 

[bugsymike]

Well it looks like I need to remove the transmission, to service the clutch and also to give access for some rust repairs. I've removed transmissions lying on my back many times, so much fun. But in this case I already have the head off the engine and all the wiring removed, so it would be only two more nuts to remove the engine with the trans. I *think* I've done it that way once or twice back in the day, but I'm not sure I remember the details. Can somebody check me on this?
- Hood has to come off of course.
- All the usual stuff to remove driveshaft, exhaust, etc.
- I think I need to do something about the steering tie rod that passes under the engine, to give clearance for the bellhousing. It looks like I could unbolt the steering idler from the frame rail and let it and the tie rods sag down. Will this give enough clearance? Or do I need to separate the tie rod ends?
- Then undo the motor mounts, slide it forward and up, lift it out.

Have I missed anything? Any tips?

Others will have more specific Spider advice but on 124 saloons once gear lever top part was released and the wider cover area around it, then mostly as you described and by dropping the back of the gearbox down then access to the top two bell housing bolts and the starter bolts are much easier with long extensions from underneath and then we took the gearbox off down wards leaving steering in place.
The engine if required should then lift up with your engine crane.This is from a similar layout DIY manual of a Fiat 131. From memory the hardest bit was the removing and replacing the top half of the gear lever with the plastic crown.

 

[348azeus]

Yes it will come out you just need to get the car high enough. Take off the gear lever, remove the prop shaft, central steering link arm undo the mounts and off you go.

 

[bugsymike]

By the way, re the top portion of gear lever, once soft cover/gaiter is removed, you then have a elongated plastic cover over the top of transmission tunnel, that has to come off it give more room.
On the actual gear lever I have found a couple of small pointed screwdrivers in up under that top section can prise the plastic crown down and out and then the gear lever will come off. On the return trip refit it with a little lube possibly, then slide the crown back up the gear lever shaft, you will find it doesn't want to engage easily, what I have found helps is to put a 13mm open ended spanner just below the crown, then grip a pair of Molegrips against it on the shaft to keep it there, usually by squeezing the crown together with your fingers you can then put a flat blade screwdriver between the 13mm spanner and the crown to ease the crown up into place.
Try not to damage the plastic above the crown as the rubber bushes inside the gear lever will then slide up making the gear lever very wobbly.
Note! Do not try to undo the gearlever at the 10mm bolts on cover on the gearbox it's self as it has a spring and other pieces inside which will cause you issues.