[DeTomaso] Engine/ZF pull - instructions & recommendations?

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/4/08 20 24 18, tonydigi at optonline.net writes:


> I've done it so many times now, I know predictably it will take me 6 hrs to
> remove and 12 hours to re-install, including bolting the bits back onto the
> long block.
> 
>>>Holy smokes?   What on earth are you doing?   P.J. Couillard filmed 
himself doing the job once; he drove the car into the garage and in an hour and 15 
minutes, the engine and gearbox were sitting on the ground.

SIX hours???


> To maximize your happiness, take the carb off.  I also take the intake off.
> Take the distributor out.  Take the alternator off.  take the dipstick off.
> Take the thermostat housing off.  Take the water pump pully off, if not the
> whole water pump, take the A/C-alternator bracket off, don't forget to take
> the e-brake cables out of the braket mounted under the ZF.
> 
>>>Okay.   Now I know why it takes you six hours???

Tell me--why don't you take the speedometer out of the dashboard while you're 
at it, and maybe remove the headlight buckets too. :>)

Seriously--why are you wasting your time taking the whole motor apart in the 
car?   When the car was built, the complete engine and gearbox were neatly 
slotted in, and they will slot out together just as neatly.   Removing the 
distributor cap is a good idea (not the distributor though) to protect the back 
window, and of course you have to disconnect the water hose to the water pump, the 
hard pipe for the thermostat housing, the throttle cable, exhaust, shift 
linkage, and driveshaft bolts.   And electrically disconnect the alternator, and 
remove the A/C compressor/bracket.   But that's it.


> The rest is pretty basic.
> My least favorite part:  Undoing the 8 bolts that hold the halfshaft to the
> ZF- ow my aching back.
> 
>>>I do that job while crouching inside the engine bay.   It's agonizing if 
you try to do it bending over the side of the fender.

Mike



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