Morris Minor Owners Club

Well - flushed with the success of the brake system jiggery pokery I'm going to have a go at replacing the clutch this weekend (assuming it stays sunny of course). According to Archduke Haynes I can drop the box out the bottom rather than remove it through the bonnet with the engine. Firstly (not that I don't trust 'em) are they lying? Secondly is this realistic with normal size ramps and axle stands or do I need to hang the car from a passing Hindenburg.

I thankyou

Well, it CAN be done from below with ramps, but personally I find it awkward. In fact last time I did it, it was with a jack and two axle stands on the front chassis legs. The ramp should give you more vertical room, but less horizontal room.

It comes down to this question: Do you have engine lifting gear or not?

If you do, then whip the engine out. I find it much easier. Leave the 'box, pedal mechanism, prop, crossmember etc in place.

If you don't, then you have no practical choice really and it's scrawling about underneath mauling the gearbox around.......

Hello GD,

whichever way, don't forget to tie (tightly) a plastic bag around the rear of the gearbox or else drain first.

Alec

Well, you don't need to do that if you take the engine out as you can leave everything in place. If you take the gearbox out from underneath though then it's a good idea to drain the gearbox oil as you have to remove the propshaft and the oil pours out when you do that!

Gearbox out from underneat is fairly simple (once you've done it a few times ) - you can also take it out from inside. Either way the job is only easy if you remove the gearbox floor.

Hello Cam,

"Well, you don't need to do that if you take the engine out as you can leave everything in place."

You are either a lot more careful than I, or your gearbox oil level is low.

Alec

?? If you leave the gearbox in place in the car with the prop attached and the mountings attached and just remove the engine, then no oil will leak out of the gearbox, or have I missed something!

Hello cam,

Ah, sorry, misinterprated your original post. I was assuming that you meant take the whole unit out, not just the engine. Sorry.

Alec

Ah, right. Yes, it all makes sense now!

Absolutely no doubt that it is MUCH easier to take the engine out. Getting the gearbox out is one thing - but getting it back in is an absolute nightmare. Even if you have no engine lifting gear - it's relatively easy to pull the head off (to cut the weight), remove the front panel and radiator as one unit - then pack underneath the engine and the box with lumps of wood - and work the engine forward and onto the front crossmember - then pull it out the front of the car.

I'm also an engine out type of guy, mostly done from the top and no linkage or crossmember disturbed. Can't see adding extra work by removing the head though! ''If it ain't bust don't mend it'' the unit's just as heavy without the head, if you get my meaning.

okay then - looks like the engine out option seems less problematic. Can anybody help me out with the weather - the garage is full of dead MGBGT, apparently we're in for canine and feline precipitation so I'm going to need some wicca weather magick - anybody?

but getting it back in is an absolute nightmare.

remove the heater valve from the back of the head - this allows the back of the block to go lower and refitting the box is then just a matter of minutes.

remove the heater valve from the back of the head - this allows the back of the block to go lower and refitting the box is then just a matter of minutes.

you learn to remove that to do gearbox swaps after you have snapped on clean off swapping a box

We are promised a lovely sunny week-end up here ! Les - you must be a lot stronger then me - I can just manage the engine without the head, no chance with the head/manifolds/carb etc - I just take it all off as one lump.

Reading your post it would not involve lifting, I'm also thinking of not having to use a new head gasket, reset valve clearances clean up joint faces etc, all to fit a clutch! Still each to his own.

I did the clutch on Phoebe not long back (1st minor clutch change I might add) did the gearbox method. Me and a friend finished it in about 3 1/2 hours and didn't even need to take off the gearbox cover! Found it quite easy.

Lee

Ah - me AND A FRIEND !! Now with two that makes a difference !

aha...


bigginge, nikki and kate - i bet you've never been invited to a clutch party then...

Just name the place and date and I'll be there - in all my uselessness. Let's try and get Kate too, she's a proper mechanic.