Having trouble getting motor separated from tranny...

shawn87gta · 12-16-2005, 01:30 PM

Just one word for anyone else who runs into this problem: porta-power! I'd never used one before, but my dad has one and brought it over for me. For those who may not be familiar with this, it's a hydraulic-jack-like device with different attachments that attach to a hose from the hydraulic cylinder. When you jack it, the attachments are activated for different types of motion. I used a "duckbill" spreader, and went from side to side spreading the motor & tranny apart then driving the wedges down to hold the gap I gained. It took about twenty trips side to side but it finally popped loose. I honestly don't think I would've gotten it without this, the duckbill has "1200 lbs" cast into it so I have to assume it exerts that much force when in use. It was all this thing could do to move the motor, and I was practically lying on top of it to jack it further when it finally popped free. My only concern now is the pressure plate, a few of the "fingers" appear to be slightly bowed out further than the rest of them.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who helped. I'm sure there'll be a few more questions as I proceed...!

j3pz · 12-17-2005, 03:07 AM

i personally would replace the clutch and pressure plate if you havent done so or if it is not new. easy to do it now than after you get it back together. it would suck if you got your motor back in and little later down the road it goes bad.

shawn87gta · 12-17-2005, 05:27 PM

I was told that the clutch assy (and several other parts) was replaced ~10k miles ago when the previous owner replaced a turbo bottom end with a n/a. They blew a piston, tore down the top end far enough to find the damage and stopped working on it. After they stopped on it, a close friend of mine bought it for parts and it sat in his garage for the past few years until I got it. Many of the parts look very low mileage, the turbo, radiator, etc, which makes me believe it was replaced - it looks like they replaced everything you'd expect if they planned to keep the car (obviously they should've researched the correct motor to use...). I have to remove the clutch assy & flywheel from the blown engine anyway so I'll check it before I reuse it.

12-16-2005, 01:30 PM	#1
shawn87gta Stock Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 22	Finally! Just one word for anyone else who runs into this problem: porta-power! I'd never used one before, but my dad has one and brought it over for me. For those who may not be familiar with this, it's a hydraulic-jack-like device with different attachments that attach to a hose from the hydraulic cylinder. When you jack it, the attachments are activated for different types of motion. I used a "duckbill" spreader, and went from side to side spreading the motor & tranny apart then driving the wedges down to hold the gap I gained. It took about twenty trips side to side but it finally popped loose. I honestly don't think I would've gotten it without this, the duckbill has "1200 lbs" cast into it so I have to assume it exerts that much force when in use. It was all this thing could do to move the motor, and I was practically lying on top of it to jack it further when it finally popped free. My only concern now is the pressure plate, a few of the "fingers" appear to be slightly bowed out further than the rest of them. Anyway, thanks to everyone who helped. I'm sure there'll be a few more questions as I proceed...!

12-17-2005, 03:07 AM	#2
j3pz 500whp yet? Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mechanicsville, MD, US of A, 20659 Posts: 1,060	i personally would replace the clutch and pressure plate if you havent done so or if it is not new. easy to do it now than after you get it back together. it would suck if you got your motor back in and little later down the road it goes bad. __________________ 88 N/A w/ 5spd - stock - not running, bhg 87 turbo/targa w/ 5spd- fidanza light weight flywheel, new oem slave cylinder, apexi air filter, no ac and no heat

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tranny ? Need Info!	SilverBullet05	Non-Generation Specific Questions	0	07-07-2008 09:45 PM
Auto Tranny Issues?	jbjorndal	MKIII Supra	3	03-14-2008 09:31 AM
problem seperating engine from manual tranny	Gengus	MKIII Supra	7	01-29-2008 12:10 AM
clutch slip	skunk	MKIII Supra	11	11-29-2005 08:33 PM

12-17-2005, 05:27 PM	#3
shawn87gta Stock Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 22	I was told that the clutch assy (and several other parts) was replaced ~10k miles ago when the previous owner replaced a turbo bottom end with a n/a. They blew a piston, tore down the top end far enough to find the damage and stopped working on it. After they stopped on it, a close friend of mine bought it for parts and it sat in his garage for the past few years until I got it. Many of the parts look very low mileage, the turbo, radiator, etc, which makes me believe it was replaced - it looks like they replaced everything you'd expect if they planned to keep the car (obviously they should've researched the correct motor to use...). I have to remove the clutch assy & flywheel from the blown engine anyway so I'll check it before I reuse it.