tranaxle removal and motor mounts

[quote)I understand that you must tilt the back of the transaxle up to clear the tabs on the rear transaxle mounts. I read that the motor mounts must be "loosened" in order to tilt the engine and transaxle assembly to get the transaxle out... [/quote]

Not necessary to fiddle with the engine mounts at all, Dennis. There's enough flexibility in the mounts for the small amount of tilt. And transaxle removal is made much easier if you remove the three nuts on each ZF mount and the long horizontal bolt, then pry the whole ZF sideways enough to pull one of the ZF sidemounts off its studs and out of the way. The rt side is usually simplest. Once that is out, the left side ZF mount is easily removeable from under the shifter box. Then the ZF and bellhousing can be pulled straight back enough to clear the flywheel and lifted straight up. It weighs 155 lbs so be careful. You will need to block the oil pan so the engine doesn't sag. And don't forget to remove the three little 1/4" screws under the bellhousing that screws into the motor plate.

I simply raised the back just a little to take the pressure off the mount (which was a rear mount at the time) then put a block at the corner of the engine and frame:

Are you yet hooked up with the POCA chapter in Sacto?

You can reach the Capital Panteras chapter president, Jim Seiferling at:

jes(at)riverdeltawireless.com

We are all willing to help our fellow owners in tasks such as this. The only cost is going to be you supplying the pizza and fluids.

Larry

Most just slightly jack the rear of the engine to provide the clearance required against the rear panel (mounts are flexible enough). Be careful if jacking under the oil pan though as stock pans easily flatten out such that the crank then hits the pan. Better to fabricate a U from three pieces of wood so the uprights are against the pan rails.

Thanks everyone for the info...I actually am having one of my fellow Capital Pantera club members help me with the clutch replacement. I just wanted to get a head start on the process so that his time is spent helping me lift the transaxle out and the clutch repair.

I'll let you know if I come any issues.

Dennis