mark kibort

the manual says that the 87 and on cars have to have the clutch assembly removed, while the older cars can have their engine removed with the clutch attached. anyone know why??

I just removed two engines (or i should say, scots twice) and we removed the clutch. however, it looks like if you unbolted it from the torque tube, the upper clutch housing and the clutch would come out as one. the manual does say to unbold the upper clutch housing, so i guess that is why the manual also says that you lift the engine and remove the motor mounts, lay the motor down on the cross member and then remove the engine. Im thinking, what about that clutch arm that sticks out of the upper clutch housing? does lowering the engine make that arm go inside when the engine is lifted out.
the next question is, what is different with the S4, so that you cant do this with that later model?

I think if its a trade off from having to remove the engine mounts vs remove the clutch, maybe the clutch removal is easier and more straight forward.

just curious, and always thinking of ways to make this job a little easier.

with headers, it sure seems like you could get the engine out with them on, anyone ever try? be nice if all you had to do is remove the lower clutch cover, remove the top clutch cover bolts from the engine and pull the clutch and headers all attached to the engine right out the front!

MK

Ketchmi

It's possible the difference is the fuel cooling tube on the 87's that's installed in the A/C line that runs behind the engine. The cooler located on the firewall is large enough to require clutch housing removal before engine removal.

BC

I think its tight with that whole clutch housing on.

If you do it with long tube headers, you let me know!

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

I asked the same question and was advised the clutch had to be removed and installed separately from the motor, so that is how I have been doing it.

Maybe next time I will try something different, and I know there will be a next time....

Sean79 5spd

Just removed and installed the motor. Seems that the clutch must be off for both operations because the clutch release arm actually protrudes through the upper bell housing and to manoeuvre that out and in is impossible. Also trying to manoeuvre the central plate with the ring gear on it into the bell housing seems impossible. Ask me how I know, I tried to install with clutch on, no go.

mark kibort

I see, so that arm, just drops down and then its not in the way. since i always remove the radiator and things in the way, it seems that it all should just be able to move right up to the bell housing with the clutch mounted to the flywheel. sure would save one of the PITA steps, although, im getting better at the clutch stuff now. (unfortunately, too much practice with Scots car!)
maybe one of the problems is keeping that little short shaft in the pilot bearing, as if it comes out and moves through the discs, you are really hosed and probably have to take the stuff out again! so, maybe that could be solved with some type of clamp that keeps the shaft in the clutch as you are moving the engine around to get it in the car. anything else i should think of before i try, or should i bag it and just put the clutch in afterward?

first things first, we have to get that crank out, the new stuff to the balancer shop and put it back together again!

MK

Vilhuer

One reason might be single disk clutch and larger housing it requires. Way engine is taken out with factory lifting method it's possible bellhousing caused problems where as double disk housing do not.