Gearbox removal

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lotushiast
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Posts: 47
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 13:47
Model: EXCEL SE
Colour: BRG
Year: 1988
Location: Cologne Germany

Gearbox removal

Post by lotushiast »

Hello,

is it possible to remove the gearbox with the engine still in the car (Excel 1988 manual)?
Thanks!

Pete Boole
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Re: Gearbox removal

Post by Pete Boole »

It is virtually impossible to remove the gearbox with the engine in situ: You have to move the 'box forward by several inches to allow the propshaft to come out of the bearing/seal at the rear. If you were to move the engine forward by the same amount plus what it takes to get the gearbox input shaft clear of the clutch it might just be possible, but by then the engine's sump would be hard up against the chassis cross member. It's much easier to remove the engine/box as a unit.

Pete

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rbgosling
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Model: Lotus Excel SE
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Re: Gearbox removal

Post by rbgosling »

I'll just give a simple "no" to this!

I've twice removed my engine / gearbox. Both times the engine cranes (that I'd borrowed) would not reach over the front of the car, so I had to lift out over the side. Totally do-able, with care, but you do need one person on the crane and one guiding the back of the gearbox.

What's up with the gearbox - why is it coming out?
"Farmer" Richard

1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)

Esprit2
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Re: Gearbox removal

Post by Esprit2 »

rbgosling wrote:
Mon Sep 07, 2020 16:44
I'll just give a simple "no" to this!
Right on.
It's either remove the engine & transmission from the car, or
remove the car from the engine & transmission.
The choice is yours.

Regards,
Tim Engel

lotushiast
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Posts: 47
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 13:47
Model: EXCEL SE
Colour: BRG
Year: 1988
Location: Cologne Germany

Re: Gearbox removal

Post by lotushiast »

Thanks all,
that was also my toughts, but maybe there are smarter quys like me.
i rebuild my engine and after running 1 hour i saw that a few drops of oil were coming from the rear crankshaft seal.
So i thought i would an option to leave the engine in place and remove the gearbox to get this seal fixed.

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Lotus-e-Clan
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Model: Excel SE - EWP/Waterless!
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Year: 1989
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Re: Gearbox removal

Post by Lotus-e-Clan »

lotushiast wrote:
Wed Sep 09, 2020 17:45
Thanks all,
that was also my toughts, but maybe there are smarter quys like me.
i rebuild my engine and after running 1 hour i saw that a few drops of oil were coming from the rear crankshaft seal.
So i thought i would an option to leave the engine in place and remove the gearbox to get this seal fixed.
Myself and others have removed just the engine and left the gearbox in situ.

This is a viable option if you are just replacing the rear crank seal...but i'd also check the clutch for wear whilst you have it out because it will be marginal beyond 50k miles service
Peter K

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