Re: Starter Problems
Webb, getting the gearbox out is tough but very much doable by one person. First, disconnect the battery, get the car up in the air on 4 sturdy jack stands where you can get underneath and basically benchpress the thing. Undo the 4 bolts holding the driveshaft and the rear bolts holding down the back of the tranny (I find it easier to just unbolt the whole rear bracket and leave it attached to the tranny). You next should cut a 2x4 piece of stud material (wood) and bevel one end to fit against the front of the engine plate just ahead of the tranny. Notch it so that it rests on the engine plate. The wood should be just long enough so that you can now jack the tranny up a fraction of an inch to give you working room (the rear might be up about 1 inch or less at this point). The whole engine/tranny will torque up on the engine mounts. Don't prop it up so high that the tranny gets jambed on the firewall. You can put a sized block of wood under the rear of the tranny for support if you want. Remove the clutch slave cylinder and hang it by a wire off to the side. Remove the starter. Take all the bolts off the tranny, the top two are studs that will stay in the engine and keep the tranny from falling. Disconnect your speedo drive and any electrical wires. Oh, and the tranny should have been drained of oil first. Your interior is gone by now (both seats, center brace and tunnel cover. You can take the shift lever off now. Watch that you don't loose the little detent ball on the back of the lever. Now is the fun part. Wear gloves and grunt the tranny back and up. Might need to wiggle it a bit and even pry a little off the engine plate. Make sure that you slide it back before up so you clear the clutch. Shove it up onto the passenger side floor board. You are home free. Might get a buddy to steady the thing from top. It won't fall as long as it rests on the studs on top. Once you clear these, it's gotta go up. Have I missed anything, ya'll? Put it back by reversing everything. Don't forget the oil!!!
Good luck...
Bill