Engine's out - now the silly questions

[71Westy]

So please bear with me. I have got the engine out and now some questions....

I can't mount it on the engine stand as the pegs on the stand mounting plate are too short. I'm going to ask the sup.llpier tomorrow, but do you normally need to remove the clutch to attach it to the stand? (I think it'll jus fit if I remove the clutch and put acouple of washers in between the stand and the back of the engine.

Second, the bellhousing had a little oil in the bottom - not a puddle, but enough to wet a kitchen towel. Is that ok, or do I need some form of new seal on the gearbox? (there was a line of fluid down from the shaft.

And even more stupid, how do you pick it up to put it on the stand? It's f*&^ing heavy!!! And I can't see where I could put a rope round to pull up via a joist... Any tips? I will whip off teh dynamo and teh carb I think - that should help.

More questions to follow no doubt....!

CHeers,
Nick

 

[Cali_bay]

So please bear with me. I have got the engine out and now some questions....

I can't mount it on the engine stand as the pegs on the stand mounting plate are too short. I'm going to ask the sup.llpier tomorrow, but do you normally need to remove the clutch to attach it to the stand? (I think it'll jus fit if I remove the clutch and put acouple of washers in between the stand and the back of the engine.

Second, the bellhousing had a little oil in the bottom - not a puddle, but enough to wet a kitchen towel. Is that ok, or do I need some form of new seal on the gearbox? (there was a line of fluid down from the shaft.

And even more stupid, how do you pick it up to put it on the stand? It's f*&^ing heavy!!! And I can't see where I could put a rope round to pull up via a joist... Any tips? I will whip off teh dynamo and teh carb I think - that should help.

More questions to follow no doubt....!

CHeers,
Nick

A lot of folk use an old bell housing bolted to the engine stand, then the engine bolts straight on.

The oil in the bell housing shouldn't be there, most likely is your crankshaft oil seal, but could be from the gearbox input shaft. Look behind the flywheel and you should be able to see if its coming from there. Easy to replace after removing the clutch and flywheel.

To get it on the engine stand ask a couple of neighbours to help, but don't drop it on there fingers.

 

[71Westy]

Thanks!

The oil I think came from the gearbox drive shaft - there was a trail down the bellhousing.... But looking in Bentley, it seems an easy fix.

So, anyone in the Ipswich area got an old bellhousing kicking around?

Cheers,
Nick

 

[james_stan]

RE: gearbox shaft seal.

I just changed mine last night - looks easy enough for sure, but I couldn't budge the old one an so I asked for tips on VZi and Moby came up with a good trick - screw some self-tappers into the metal-rim of the old seal.
OK so far so good (although I used a battery drill to make some pilot holes) but what now ? Still nothing to prise against.

In the end I found a pair of carpenter's nail removing 'pincers', grabbed the self tapper and rolled it out against a thin
bit of wood if you can see what I mean.

Anyhow good luck

JS

 

[71Westy]

OK thanks - good tip. A mate has said a little oil is pretty normal, but I would have expected a hole in the bellhousing to let it drain - there isn't a hole in mine - hmm.

 

[Toad]

There is a great little hook type tool that you can buy (I have one). It hooks into the old seal and you can just lever it out...simples!

Not sure why you need to put your engine onto a stand? but hey (I would just put it on a bench or similar). If you strip off the dynamo,carb, inlet manifold, heat exchangers, tin etc, you should easily be able to lift the remaining engine wherever you wish to put it...easy!

 

[71Westy]

Well I'm stuck with half a seal jammed in there! The inner bit it coming out. The outer bit (beyond the metal rim) is tearing off and is well wedged in there. Wish I hadn't started. It's a narrow gap, dinno how I'm gonna prise that out....

My seal didnt have a metal facing bit - only rubber (as is the replacement)

AAARRRRGGGHH!!! Now what?????

 

[71Westy]

Aha, success! I used the bit in a swiss army pen-knife that removes boy scouts from horses hooves (I think it's realyy a tin-opener). Perfect!