Hello, I would like a little help please. I needed to replace all breather hose pieces and the large elbow filler hose into the tank and I managed with difficulty to bend the tin to free the firewall enough to do the work. I unscrewed the firewall and it now stands free but cannot remove it, dont need to anyway. Rust treated and painted behind firewall and waxoyled the lot while I was in there. Job done. Now I find I cant get the firewall back. Cannot bend tin the other way so I am stuck. It seems I could do this by lowering the engine and gearbox by a few inches, enough to slip the firewall back in place. I noticed today that one of the engine mount rubbers is shot also. So could do the mounts at the same time. I noted the 4 engine bearer bolts and there are 2 bolts at the end of the gearbox. How exactly can I do the lowering safely and simply. I dont want to take the engine out or disconnect a load of parts. Your help would be much appreciated.
Is this a Type 1 engine? If so try this http://thelatebay.com/index.php?thr...-the-thread-of-my-first-engine-removal.53126/ Did the very same job last weekend for the first time... Personally for the difference I would drop the engine to get to everything much easier... its a lot easier than you think - believe me!
Support the engine on a jack, unbolt it, disengage it from the gearbox, then lower it. Easy peasy. Don't do it with the box attached - that's MGs you're thinking of
It has to be simple for me as I am well retired and will be doing the job on my own. I have worked on the van a lot and know my way around it pretty well and I have the tools, but sadly no issues of Razzle. I have had another look underneath. I only need to lower about 4 inches or so, I would prefer not to disengage engine from the gearbox. Sounds a bit daunting for me. What worries me is engaging the engine back to the gearbox on my own. I have a 3 ton heavy duty jack, so can I just support engine and gearbox, remove the 4 engine bar bolts and 2 gearbox front support bolts and gently lower it. Are there problems doing it like this.
Believe us...it is much easier just to pull the engine out 2" and drop it. To lower the gearbox as well, you'll need to uncouple the gear linkage or something will bend. It is, honestly, quite straightforward: one of the few advantages of owning a Bay!
I see what your saying @mgbman with all honesty its easier with two but not impossible with one.. With the engine supported and four nuts off (and the engine support bar) i would say its possible to pull on your own slide out and lower and bring it back... Once sorted... With you Kent based I wonder if there are any TLBs who can lend a hand...I got offers this time last week so give it a go!
@snotty talked me through it this time last week... Last week I was sceptical and was going down the root you @re thinking.. A week on I wouldn't drop the gearbox.. The only issue I had was the 10position nut bolt... Longer socket I believe now is the solution! I think if I went at it tomorrow I would have it out within 90mins Max!
Tomorrow I will have a look at whats involved. The other option is to have another go at bending the tin, but not easy and not much room to lever it. I dont really want to damage the tin as it was all new not long ago. Another thing about my van is the 'paint tin lid' is missing and I cant seem to find one for sale anywhere. Any ideas on this one? I have come a long way with my van and I have sorted a lot of issues by myself and never taken it to a garage.
Been looking for a tin lid as well, I keep hitting the autojumbles... So if I see two I'll pick one up for you... Think we could have had similar experiences to be honest... I'd Bob over if I was closer but sadly it's a bit of a trek.. :-S
