Pulled the engine/tranny combo

[Seppi72]

As many of you know, I crashed one of my '72s early in September and bent the left front frame rail fairly well. We've finally begun the repair process and the first action was to pull the engine/tranny combo, which we did on Saturday. It is from this activity that I have a question.

I was the designated "under-the-car" person for this operation and when we started to pull up on the assembly, as soon as we got some amount of tilt on it, gear oil poured out the rear.

It's been years since I pulled the engine tranny combo (or maybe I never have and only think I have) and I simply don't remember if this is to be expected or whether this indicates a bad seal that needs to be attended to. This is a ZX 5-speed unit.

Any and all advice and slaps upside my head are appreciated.

[sblake01]

That's normal. Without the snout from the driveshaft there's nothing to hold the gear oil. I use a rubber pipe cap with a hose clamp on that part of the trans to prevent that.

[Arne]

Normal, if you didn't drain the tranny prior to the job. The rear seal runs on the slip yoke of the driveshaft. With the driveshaft out, you've got a huge hole in the rear serving as a pour spout.

Don't forget to refill once you get it back in place and the driveshaft in place. I'd also recommend loosening the filler plug NOW, while the transmission is out of the car.

[Seppi72]

The frame repair is proceeding and the entire car will be repainted before the engine/tranny goes back in. I am already adding a 6-1 MSA header to the engine, but I'd like to know what else I could (should?) do while it's out and accessible. This is a Rebello L28 with SUs built in the late 1980s and it runs like a champ.

For instance, I'm going to repaint the block and oil pan. I'm wondering if something like replacing the freeze plugs would be worth the effort. Many of you have been in this position before and I'd just like to know what you did.

[Mike B]

Carl Beck recommended this in another thread. I think it would apply in your case too.

"Since you already have the intake/exhaust manifolds off - go ahead and pull the engine and put it on an engine stand. Pull the head, clean up the piston tops - and send the head to a good shop to be checked. The E-31's were noted for cracking around the exhaust valves. At the same time you can pull the front cover and pan - clean, detail (repaint the block, bead blast the front cover - and reseal the engine). replace the front and rear main seals, freeze plugs etc.

Clean/polish the engine compartment - and reinstall the engine.."

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=274625&postcount=40

-Mike