gearbox removel/ without engine

PostPost by: garyeanderson » Fri Jul 11, 2003 5:04 pm

Hi Greg
I have not done this myself but have heard that it has
been done. The procedure goes something like this, the 4
bolts of the drive shaft are disconnected and the
driveshaft slid back out of the way. Next the bellhousing to
engine bolts are removed and the gearbox slid back as far as
possible so that you can access the pressure plate bolts and
possibly the flywheel bolts (not sure if the flywheel
removel is necessary or not). The last two steps are so you
can remove the bellhousing to gear case bolts. Once the
bellhousing is out the front of the gearbox can be dropped
and then slid forward, or so I was told. Now the real
question is why do it this way! The person that did this was
at the race track and I don't think he had access to a
hoist. This was a stock Elan Chassis (this all probably this
happened 25 or more years ago), maybe Bill Gavin was there
and can give some more details.

Gary E. Anderson
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PostPost by: Elanman99 » Fri Jul 11, 2003 6:36 pm

If I have got it right, this topic started with the Tim's spinning starter
syndrome. Unless I missed something (which is what I usually do) what to me
sounded like a probable sticking Bendix has now become major surgery.

The original post mentioned that the starter initially turns the engine and
then spins (classic sticky Bendix symptoms) so I don't know why the ring
gear should be suspected of being loose on the flywheel which is a fairly
unlikely occurrence. If the fault is with starter motor then
removing/replacing the motor takes only a few minutes as long as the car is
jacked up high enough.

I too have heard that it is somehow possible to get the gearbox out of an
Elan without removing the engine but I cannot imagine any reason for doing
so. By following the engine/gearbox removal instructions in workshop manual
even first timers wont find any great difficulty.

So, is it a starter motor problem or not?

Ian Phillips

1968 S4 DHC
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PostPost by: elancoupe » Fri Jul 11, 2003 9:51 pm

I have done this procedure twice on my S3. Once the driveshaft is removed,
and bellhousing unbolted from the motor, the trans can be rotated and
shifted rearward. Then the trans to bellhousing bolts can be removed, and
the two pieces will "collapse" enough to facilitate removal. Not necessary
to unbolt motor mounts, or drain cooling etc. It is a little tricky, but I
have done this job by myself, with just the aid of a floor jack.

It certainly beats pulling the motor!


Mike Braun
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PostPost by: elancoupe » Fri Jul 11, 2003 10:01 pm

Almost forgot, clutch, pressure plate and flywheel do not need to be
removed, either.

My reason for doing it this way, was because of a transmission change, and a
spigot bearing problem.

I have removed motor and trans as unit many times, for clutch or gearbox
service, I prefer this method.



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PostPost by: gobw2 » Sat Jul 12, 2003 4:43 am

Wow - I never thought of doing that.If you have to remove clutch,
pressure plate, flywheel - Must be one heck of a reassembly job - lining
it all up from the back would be a bear. There might be enough clearance
so you can leave clutch on motor, and get trans out. You probably want to
remove the 4 bolts for the shift lever, and get it out first.

Before you think of all that work,
Suggest you take out the starter and have a look-see- only a couple of
bolts and electrical cable. With any luck, it is a weak Bendix.
George
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