Engine Removed Today. - Page 2

Bill77 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-27-2004, 07:29 PM

Light holder? Are you referring to the yellow handle sticking up from the passenger seat area? That's my halogen lamp -- $9.99 from Home Depot, if memory serves. It lights REALLY bright. I usually have to face it away from the work towards the garage door so that the reflected light scatters all over instead of blinding me. It also makes a great little space heater in the winter except when I touch it and get burned.

Bill77 · #17 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 03:33 PM

The weather is getting nice here in Michigan and less time is being spent on the Alfa. This afternoon, the engine and tranny were separated and the engine was mounted on the engine stand. The starter, clutch and flywheel were removed.

Bill77 · #18 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 03:36 PM

The weather was so nice, so I rolled the Alfa part way out of the garage to make room for maneuvering the engine. Then a light rain came and I heard a "fizzing" sound, like Alkaseltzer had been dropped into a glass of water. Roll the Alfa into the garage, quick!!

Bill77 · #19 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 03:39 PM

Here's the clutch. The PO said that the clutch had been replaced less than 10K miles ago. It looks clean -- I'll have to mic it later to see how much life remains. Could be one less thing to replace. By the way, the engine mounts were shot. It's amazing that the engine stayed in the car. The engine guard was holding it up.

Bill77 · #20 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 03:42 PM

The tranny is resting on a shelf now. Should the hole for the clutch release lever have a boot over it?

The hole is wide open on this car.

Rocketjosh · #21 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill77

The tranny is resting on a shelf now. Should the hole for the clutch release lever have a boot over it?

The hole is wide open on this car.

**papajam** · #22 (**permalink**) 05-10-2004, 07:01 AM

None of the 3 trans I have here have a boot either. Nor did I see one listed in the clutch/trans section of a '74 parts book.

Bill77 · #23 (**permalink**) 05-10-2004, 05:38 PM

I've seen other cars with an open chamber to the clutch, but wasn't sure if Alfas were that way, too. I was worried about having a rusted-up clutch some day.

Thanks for checking !!

wrenchman · #24 (**permalink**) 05-10-2004, 06:50 PM

hey bill it's good to see someone taking the time with a late seventies car. what do you plan on doing for bumpers? I recently had to take a turbo five cylinder
diesel out of an '85 mercedes e-class at work and it looked a lot like your pictures but I didn't have to get it quite that vertical. good luck!

Alfapaulic · #25 (**permalink**) 05-10-2004, 08:31 PM

Great job on the pics Bill, gives me inspiration to do the same to my 76 spider. I am the second owner of this 30,000 original mile spider and it has no clutch release lever boot..I will watch your progress with much interest.

Paul

fgc · #26 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 01:50 AM

Great job and great photos. Makes it look so easy.

I have always wanted to pull my engine and NOW I am REALLY tempted to try it - only thing is I can't buy an engine hoist anywhere except to import!!

but I will find a way... yes I will

When pulling engine, I note that it is often recommended that the engine strap to attach the pulling chain be moved from the 3rd cylinder to the 2nd so that it is easier to tilt the engine downwards and pull it straight out.

My question is if my engine dont need any work would unscrewing the head bolt nut so as to move the engine strap from the 3rd and then fixing it to the 2nd result in the release of tension pressure on the head and block such that there may be cylinder head sealing issues later? Is this a real concern? Anyone any experience with this?

Thanks
fgc

Farace · #27 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgc

When pulling engine, I note that it is often recommended that the engine strap to attach the pulling chain be moved from the 3rd cylinder to the 2nd so that it is easier to tilt the engine downwards and pull it straight out.

Bill77 · #28 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 07:21 PM

This is my first engine extraction, so I am by no means an expert, but having a great deal of fun.

I moved the strap forward to the #2 bolts and retorqued all the bolts before hoisting the engine. I don't know what affect this lifting could have on the engine but I doubt there would be any harm if all the bolts are torqued.

Bill77 · #29 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 07:29 PM

Bumpers!!! Yes!!!

I just blew a big hole in my wallet and ordered the bumper conversion kit from Spider-Point. The bumpers are waiting for me at the Post Office, but I have to pay $51 for a Customs fee.

Hopefully, the bumpers will be in my garage tomorrow.

I searched for used bumpers, but as you are aware, good ones are hard to find. Then you have to make adapter brackets to install on a rubber bumper US Spider. The Spider-Point kit includes all of this, plus the grille and the front integral turn signals. And the parts are new, original parts (that's what they told me in an email).

Needless to say, there will be a few more $$ invested into this car than it will be worth. But I'm not building it for resale, I'm building it for my own satisfaction and for fun rides with Wife77.

Bill77 · #30 (**permalink**) 05-11-2004, 07:34 PM

It's amazing where you can find engine hoists. There are good deals at Pep Boys and some of those warehouse type stores (Costco, Sam's Club) sporadically. The 6 wheeled variety is best, so that you can fold up the legs and still wheel it around.

I borrowed a hoist from a coworker. There are about a half dozen people in my office who own engine hoists. What a bunch of gearheads! Most people who own them are more than happy to loan them, since they are seldom used and take up a lot of space in the garage! I was able to stuff it into my Ford Escape.