Engine removal can't get top bolts loose from transmission!

[BNelsonAz]

Removing the engine on my son's 1980 124 FI, and almost have it licked. Any tips on how to remove the top two bolts mounting the (manual) transmission to the engine???

Short of having a universal joint installed on my elbow and wrists, is there something I might be missing? It seems nee impossible!!

The only other thing I thought of was just removing the transmission with the engine.

[bradartigue]

I hate to tell you something you've probably figured out, but it is a *hell* of a lot easier to remove them both together, particularly easy if you remove the head first. Reassembly is easier as well, you can get the clutch, transmission, starter, etc., all together and just waiting for the 6 guibo bolts rather than trying to get all this junk torqued correctly from under the car.

If you can, yank it all. You'll be glad you did.

[vandor]

I do not agree with Brad (which is quite rare , if I do not need the transmission removed, then I leave it in the car.
You can get to the right side to bolt with a box end wrench from the engine compartment. The only time this does not work if there are lifting hooks behind the bolts.
You should not have any trouble accessing bolt top bolts from the bottom of the car using a 19mm socket, a u-joint, and about 2 feet of extensions (maybe more). I've done this dozens of times with no issues. You will need this same setup to remove the starter bolts, only with a 13mm socket instead of 19mm.

[focodave]

If you are going to leave the tranny in place while removing the engine, you may find it easier to get the top bell-housing bolts out (and back in) if you have an assistant guide the socket on to the bolt heads from up top while you are under the car with your 3 feet of extensions and 1 or 2 universal joints.
I did it myself, so I know from experience that it can be done quite easily if you just go into it with the right mindset.
You'll find lots of folks who have removed the engine without pulling the tranny along with it, so it can certainly be done without ruining anything.

[BNelsonAz]

You can get to the right side to bolt with a box end wrench from the engine compartment. The only time this does not work if there are lifting hooks behind the bolts.

It has the lifting hooks behind the bolts...

[fiat218]

Can't you remove that

[76was124]

Might be easier then to remove the trans first. If you haven't, disconnect the drive shaft and remove the transmission support bracket. Let the transmission and engine hang from he rubber engine mounts a little as it will give a little more space between the trans and the tunnel wall. Just don't let the transmission only hang by the input shaft (that is don't loosen all the bolts without supporting the transmission. )

I've done it with two universals and the extensions as described by vandor and focodave from underneath or also through the shifter hole from inside the car if you have a helper to hold it as you guide it to the bolts. I prefer from underneath.

There's a good thread at:http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... +universal

[bradartigue]

I do not agree with Brad (which is quite rare , if I do not need the transmission removed, then I leave it in the car.
You can get to the right side to bolt with a box end wrench from the engine compartment. The only time this does not work if there are lifting hooks behind the bolts.
You should not have any trouble accessing bolt top bolts from the bottom of the car using a 19mm socket, a u-joint, and about 2 feet of extensions (maybe more). I've done this dozens of times with no issues. You will need this same setup to remove the starter bolts, only with a 13mm socket instead of 19mm.

At the risk of Jim chiming in saying I'm being an ass...

Hey Csaba, do you find the converse easier? I've never had a good time putting transmissions back in, or mounting engines to them in-situ. It's been much easier in my experience to just have it all out there to get back together. So long as you put the head on after the motor is in the car it's pretty easy. The head always gets in the way otherwise. And no I don't have a list, just some high jacks and a cherry picker.

[fiat218]

I do not agree with Brad (which is quite rare , if I do not need the transmission removed, then I leave it in the car.
You can get to the right side to bolt with a box end wrench from the engine compartment. The only time this does not work if there are lifting hooks behind the bolts.
You should not have any trouble accessing bolt top bolts from the bottom of the car using a 19mm socket, a u-joint, and about 2 feet of extensions (maybe more). I've done this dozens of times with no issues. You will need this same setup to remove the starter bolts, only with a 13mm socket instead of 19mm.

At the risk of Jim chiming in saying I'm being an ass...

Hey Csaba, do you find the converse easier? I've never had a good time putting transmissions back in, or mounting engines to them in-situ. It's been much easier in my experience to just have it all out there to get back together. So long as you put the head on after the motor is in the car it's pretty easy. The head always gets in the way otherwise. And no I don't have a list, just some high jacks and a cherry picker.

Don't use my name in your BEing an ass comment
But I have notice that you think every thing your way is the right way, guess what, it ain't
Thanks for reading this brad

[johndemar]

Come on guys, no need to get in a pissing contest. This site is here to help one another.
In my vast experience, OK, once, I found removing the tranny and engine together was easy peasy!
And that was with the head on.

[fiat218]

Come on guys, no need to get in a pissing contest. This site is here to help one another.
In my vast experience, OK, once, I found removing the tranny and engine together was easy peasy!
And that was with the head on.

I agree 100 percent , every one works on there car differnt , I had mine out both ways,tranny first, or all in one

[vandor]

>Hey Csaba, do you find the converse easier?

Every now and then I have run across an engine or trans that does not want to line up, but most of the time it's not bad.

[bradartigue]

Don't use my name in your BEing an ass comment
But I have notice that you think every thing your way is the right way, guess what, it ain't
Thanks for reading this brad

Good god Jim, get over yourself. There are several ways to do things and this forum should be a place to present all views. As to quoting you, well, I'm quoting you. You did write the stuff after all.

[carl]

I'm with Csaba, have an assistant up above guide the socket into place, even with those stupid lifting brackets in place. If the head is going to be removed with the engine out then removing it while the engine is still in the car makes access to the upper bolts easy from the engine bay and you might even get a box end wrench on them.

carl

[BNelsonAz]

Sorry did not intend to start any problems. I value all input, and realize there are 2,598 ways to skin a cat (or Spider, in this case) all with benefits and drawbacks. I think I'll try a combination of head removal, and 3 feet of extensions!

Happy Monday!

Bill