gearbox - mount it first?

[munky30]

Well, my mechanic has abandoned me in my hour of need. So with the help of my trusty haynes manual and some metal things apparently called 'tools' I will be putting my new engine in myself

My question, is it easier to mount the gearbox to the car, prop etc, then drop in the engine and attach the box in situ, or attach it to the engine before I drop it into the car?

its a 325 and manual box btw.

also, any tips or things to look out for when taking the box off the old engine and putting it onto the new one?

[Turbo-Brown]

Personally reckon it's easier to attach it to the engine first as it's fairly hard work manuvering the 'box into position and getting everything lined up.

You'll probably spend ages struggling to get the thing on and then give up for a bit, only for it to slip straight on at the next attempt.

You gonna change your clutch while it's all apart?

[m-dtech]

drop the front subframe is easy way to put engine in

[munky30]

yeah. I'm pretty mechanically inept... this whole thing is scaring me a bit but has to be done.... I wont be dropping any subframes..

I guess I'll attach the box first. Just thought it would be easier to get the engine in without it but it seems like it would be a bit of a false economy to do it that way.

[Brianmoooore]

Assuming you have a decent engine crane, then definitely drop engine and box in together.
They have to go in a quite a steep angle at first, and then level out as it goes in. Load leveller attachment for the crane is useful.

[jaistanley]

Brian: Would you say the same for an s50b32 and 5 speed gearbox? Not sured whether to take my subframe off either..

Jai

[munky30]

yeah the crane is good, no load leveller but nothing a bit of brute force wont fix. last time we put the gearbox onto a skateboard and let it roll into place.

[jmc330i]

Brian: Would you say the same for an s50b32 and 5 speed gearbox?

Im sure Ian fitted his 3.2 and 6 speed box in one go through the top. My 3.0 and 5spd will be coming out again and I plan on doing the same.

Fitted my M20 and box through the top in one go with a load leveller - best £30 Ive spent. Raising the back of the car will help if you dont have a load leveller, as you wont need to manhandle the engine to such a steep angle.

[Brianmoooore]

M50 and 5 speed box goes in OK, and if Ian can get the huge 6 speed box in, then the S5x and 5 speed box should go in OK as well.

[jaistanley]

Gonna invest in a load leveller then. Gotta take the M20 and autobox out when I do the swap and that gearbox is a beast.

Cheers guys.

Jai