Time to lift the engine out...
Being such a key and important job, we set aside a day for the engine and gearbox lift out. I was joined by Stephen Claxton, Peter Smith (former Rolls Royce engineer) and Robin Timmins. Together, we set about the task.
Once again this is another job that was made much easier by the generous loan of an engine hoist by John Jones.
First, the gearbox is supported with a trolley jack and the rear engine mounts removed, followed by the front mounts. The rear mount plate had to remain attached to the gearbox along with the spring. Because, rather than just a centre bolt securing the spring there is a rod and pin arrangement (which does not correspond with our manual?). So we leave the plate and spring in place and remove it all together with the engine.
Prior to lifting, we also decide to remove the engines rear oil lines, to prevent them from being crushed by the engine stabiliser bracket that protrudes from the centre of the bulkhead. The brake line on the front picture frame is pulled out of harms way and secured so not to be damaged by the sump or harmonic flywheel (which we couldn’t get off whilst in place), giving us less room to manoeuvre.
We slowly pump the hoist and play with the ‘load leveler’ (red frame between the hoist and the engine) until the engine is angled to around 40 degrees. This enables the front of the engine to clear the picture frame (square blue frame at the front). Once clear of the car, we lower the engine and gearbox onto an engine trolley where it sits comfortably on its sump.
Lastly, we unbolt the gearbox via the bell housing. Then, we realise the gearbox won’t separate until the bell housing cover plate is first removed (this should have been done under the car!). Once removed, the gearbox is placed on a second skate and stored under the racking.
My sincere thanks to everyone who both contributed equipment and who were involved on the day.
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