Stabbing in MD

[georgeb]

I attempted to do a practice installation of my trans to the engine today and it was not successful. It was just practice because the clutch is not installed. It not installed because the tool someone promised me never arrived and he won't respond to PMs. I'll probably have to buy a clutch kit just for the tool. Anyway, the engine is hanging on a hoist and moves around when I attempt to join the two. Plus I am puny and can't lift the trans for more than a few seconds. Plus I was never able to get the axles out (engine was removed out from bottom) and the pass side CV shell hits the tin when I attempt to go in straight. I realize I might have to get that shell out but are there any tricks do doing this operation?

[walth]

1. the engine is on a hoist
2. I assume: you've lowered it into the bay?
3. I assume: you can't keep the engine straight and lift up on the tranny (if that's an issue for alignment?) and also put bolts in. understood.

is this pretty much a good assumption of the issue?

have you tried putting a jack under the tranny (with a decent sized 2x4 / 2x6 in between) to lift the tranny to a good "plumb" condition? then just lower the engine to the exact height and done?

[Grey Vw]

The only way I won my battle against getting axles out is with a cold chisel. Don't worry about not being able to get it in, It took me probably 4 hours to get a single bolt in my first time with one person helping.

[georgeb]

1. the engine is on a hoist
2. I assume: you've lowered it into the bay?
3. I assume: you can't keep the engine straight and lift up on the tranny (if that's an issue for alignment?) and also put bolts in. understood.

is this pretty much a good assumption of the issue?

have you tried putting a jack under the tranny (with a decent sized 2x4 / 2x6 in between) to lift the tranny to a good "plumb" condition? then just lower the engine to the exact height and done?

The engine/trans with lift is in my garage taking up a whole bay. Once I get the two together I can put it in the car which is outside. I should have pulled the engine separately but didn't know at the time it was easier plus the bolts were caked with grease and hidden.

[walth]

I don't understand...are you trying to pick up the trans and hold it chest high and mate it with the engine?

I think you'll be better off putting the trans back in the car and mounting everything up properly and then using the hoist to put the engine in.

[georgeb]

If I get someone to steady the engine and 2 peeps to wrestle the trans in I think it could be done outside the car. I'll have to wait for a holiday to have that much help. I need to get that CV out in the meantime. I got some cable at a yard sale to make a puller. Using chisels and prying against cast aluminum sounds risky.

[91_festy_Gl]

Dude you can do it yourself. I wrestled my tranny without a clutch alignment tool and got everything together. Just takes time and alittle nut power.

[Nerd Racing]

I have taken electrical tape and wrapped it around a 3/8" drive extension and made my own clutch alignment tool that way. it is crude but works.

[FB71]

I attempted to do a practice installation of my trans to the engine today and it was not successful. It was just practice because the clutch is not installed. It not installed because the tool someone promised me never arrived and he won't respond to PMs.

I have a spare tool you can have. Come on up to Edgewood.

[GenevaDirt]

The engine and tranny can be put in the car together....no need to install tranny in car and then put the engine in. You will need the axle out though. Lower the engine down to the ground and slide the tranny into position use a cople of the upper bolts to get the tranny started together and then raise the hoist a little letting the engine and tranny align so to speak and then use the bolts to help draw it together. I pulled 1 engine tranny combo and 1 engine last weekend then took the tranny off the one and put it back on the other engine then set the engine and tranny back in the car. This I did by myself , in a gravel driveway with a couple sheets of plywood for a base to roll the hoist down the drive and over to the other car....about 50 feet away... moving one sheet and then placing it in front of the other till it was in front of the car.

So you should be able to do it by yourself. Just saying....lol.

[walth]

that's awesome but he has to get them together first.

[GenevaDirt]

that's awesome but he has to get them together first.

I understand that...I was kind of agreeing with you in the way he made it sound like he was lifting the tranny up to try and put them together....I was just suggesting setting the engine down on the ground , resting on the oil pan, and then sliding the 2 together enough to get 2 of the top bolts started.

Only way it matters though is if he gets the axles out of the tranny first. Otherwise he will have to put the tranny in the car first and then try and line them up....which I find harder then just putting them in at the same time.

[georgeb]

I have a spare tool you can have. Come on up to Edgewood.

I go to Edgewood/Belair about once a month. I'm about due. I'm there about 11 AM. Don't know if that'll work for ya.

[nitrofarm]

If I get someone to steady the engine and 2 peeps to wrestle the trans in I think it could be done outside the car. I'll have to wait for a holiday to have that much help. I need to get that CV out in the meantime. I got some cable at a yard sale to make a puller. Using chisels and prying against cast aluminum sounds risky.

No its not risky at all.Its the bet mthod of removal.If it scares you just make the wedge out of hardwood or nylon. You tap the wedge into place just till the axle stops tipping to the opposite side.The use a pry bar and hammer on other side to relieve the pressure from the wedge. And the axle comes squirting out. Rockauto.com has your clutch alignmant tool for a $1.16
(I know I just bought one.) Good luck-

[walth]

george you should have no issues now. whether you put the engine on the ground or put the trans back into the car (btw you can use an extra ratchet strap from the bottom of the engine up to the top chain and pull the engine straight against itself -- I did this to make my b6 perfectly straight on the engine stand) or whatever.