engine strip

[secubis3]

I know this maybe a bit of a daft question but how far can you strip an engine without taking it out of the car? The only tools I have are a socket set, six spanners and ahammer - no lifting gear or trollies.

Cheers
S

[henocsr]

Yes you can....only as long as no machining is required to the block.
Remove the cylinder head, and remove the sump.
The pistons can now be be removed. The main bearing shells on the crank can also be renewed 1 cap at a time

[SimonR]

You'll have to remove the top left-hand engine mount as it's bolted to the cylinder head but this is OK if you support the bottom of the engine with a block of wood or trolley jack.

[secubis3]

As I have not done this before and I do not trust the manual, but can I drop the gear box with the engine in and is the gear box heavy (Daft question eh!!)
I have stripped the interior of the car without the manual as I find Haynes a last resort thing!!!

[SimonR]

Haha - well you'd probably benefit from a quick read of the Haynes for this job.

You can get the gearbox out with the engine still in the car, but you will need to raise the front of the car to get it out from underneath. The gearbox is heavy alright, you wouldn't want to drop it on your foot, for example. You will also still need to support the engine as the gearbox has two engine mounts on it.

I'd suggest that you're going to need to invest in a trolley jack and set of axle stands at the very least... Wouldn't want to be under a raised car if it's not on axle stands or something similar.

[oseerees]

With regard to the 'box' being heavy. Depends how strong you are? An able bodied guy can lift the box enough to manouvre it, it's just awkward as although it can 'sit' it can topple easy.

I did it enough times on my own, with the box on the 'jack' and get it out under the wheel arch. Now I wouldn't do it without assistance (ie just get that helping hand to make life easier):D

And while you can do it without a manual I would not advise it. If nothing else, it will allow you to dismantle in the correct manner and order, and as pointed out, with a O Series, you could easily end up with a disaster like the engine dropping!

[G51 NAV]

An O-series K6/K7 gearbox weighs about 30kg. Suggest from recent experience you'd benefit from the purchase of axel stands and two trolley-jacks (one to support the engine and one to support the gearbox).

[Austin-Rover]

If it's a VW box, one techniwue i have used successfully on a number of occasions is to have the front of the car on axle stands (plus one under the sump to support the engine). Have an assistant remove the bolts holding the gearbox in place. Drape yourself over the passenger side wing so you are end on to the gearbox (Prepare to lose dignity). You can man-handle the box off the flywheel (can sometimes be tricky) and gently lower it to the ground by using your body and the wing of the car as your pivot point.

[SimonR]

Drape yourself over the passenger side wing so you are end on to the gearbox (Prepare to lose dignity). You can man-handle the box off the flywheel (can sometimes be tricky) and gently lower it to the ground by using your body and the wing of the car as your pivot point.

Yeah - I've done it myself like this and although it's not dignified, it *is* effective!

[Peter J]

I wouldn't trust my hydraulic (trolley) jack to hold up the engine as it very gradually creeps down under load. So I used a mechanical (scissor) jack to support the engine.

[SimonR]

I wouldn't trust my hydraulic (trolley) jack to hold up the engine as it very gradually creeps down under load. So I used a mechanical (scissor) jack to support the engine.

Sounds like you need either a replacement seal kit for the hydraulic ram, or a new trolley jack!

[henocsr]

What i did was buy a car creeper and a large piece of wood. Then using it as a trolly lower the engine and gearbox (which are still in the car) on top of it, undo the mounts and jack the car up again. And there it is one engine and gearbox on wheels

[Peter J]

Sounds like you need either a replacement seal kit for the hydraulic ram, or a new trolley jack!

Probably as my (Lake and Elliot) car trolley jack is nearly 40 years old. It cost £30 which was quite a lot of money then. Its still ok for me though, as I only use it to lift the car before dropping it down on to axle stands.

[xamtex]

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cec500-enginegearbox-support/path/workshop-cranes-engine-stands

this is the pukka tool for the job...it supports the engine from above.....some years ago i made one from a bit of tube and flat plate....used some threaded bar bent into a hook which was used to raise/lower the motor as required.