17 replies to this topic

[tiger99]

And I thought that when I was a poor student, I was the only person in the world daft enough or desperate enough to split the engine and box in situ! I have done it quite a few times. I don't feel so lonely now.

I agree, it is not that hard, and the only thing possible if you don't have lifting equipment. I used to take the head off, to reduce weight, and just lift the engine off by hand and put it on a table. I gave that up when I got an engine crane, and I probably don't have the strength to do it by hand nowadays. With the crane, the head and probably manifolds could stay on, which would save time.

[bmcecosse]

By far the fastest way if ALL you want is access to the engine. Even more relevant back in the day with time consuming rubber cross drive shaft joints. And yes - head etc off to reduce weight and heave ho. Have in the past driven home from work with badly failing engine - swapped it at the side of the road - and off to work again in the morning......

[tiger99]

Oh yes, my first Mini, an 850 van, had those joints. They were all chewed up, along with the U bolts and the edges of the two metal yokes, adjacent to the U bolt holes. I built those up by arc welding, ran a 5/16" drill through the holes, cleaned up the outside with a file, and fitted new rubbers. It ran successfully for at least another two years. But they were a maintenance nightmare. The pot joints last about 10 times as long, if the rubber boots are kept in good condition.