Engine/Gearbox almost ready to come out

[RanjS8]

Well I had a chance to get a bit further today.

I managed to remove the subframe, which was relatively painless....4 bolts at the front and then two bolts at the back to seperate gearbox from its supports.

Next I suspended the engine/gearbox ensemble in the air and removed the driver's side subframe mount to gain access to the starter motor. Whilst in the air I removed the two bottom bolts securing the gearbox to the upper sump.

I then removed the two bolts holding the starter motor to gearbox and lower the engine/gearbox back on to the pallet. The back of the starter motor is secured to the engine by a backing plate. This backing plate must be removed first, before the starter motor come out.

I found removing the starter motor very fiddly even with the engine/gearbox out and can now appreciate why insitu changing the starter motor is such a nightmare.

Once the starter motor is removed, you can gain access to the torx bolts which secure the torque converter to the flywheel. There are three in all and you will be able to turn the flywheel by turning the crankshaft pulley at the front of the engine.

Tomorrow, I will look into how I want to support the engine/gearbox as I undo the remaining bolts and seperate the two.

[SyncroS8]

This is all looking very familiar.

Getting the starter motor off was one of the worse parts for me when removing and refitting the gearbox for me.

MG

[RanjS8]

I got some help yesterday and finally seperated the engine and gearbox....I had removed the torx bolts connecting the torque converter to the flywheel with intention that the torque converter would come off with the gearbox...instead the gearbox slipped straight off and the torque converter stayed in place until I lifted it clear....

Now I m on to investigating the engine...things should finally start to get interesting....further i m really curious to find out what the issue was with the misfire....????

I was planning to fix the engine and put it all back to see the result before doing the manual conversion....however considering the weight of the auto tranny....I have decided to just push on ahead and see if I can fit the manual gearbox instead....let see what happens...