I have my complete engine/transaxle out of my 88 GT sitting on a dolly (engine removal by the numbers) and ready to pull the transaxle in order to relace the original clutch. Any guess on the weight of the transaxle assembly? is this do-able by hand without a crane? I have no idea of the weight involved. Could 2 people slide the transaxle off?

I have done it by myself although it is easier if you have someone helping you. If you can find some long bolts that fit into the block threads, cut off the heads and use them as a guide to slide the trans back onto the engine.

One (relatively strong) person can pull the transaxle off. It might take two to slide it back on (as you need to also line up the input shaft with the clutch).

I just did this a week ago with the cradle tilted down in an '88 Formula.

quote Originally posted by TONY_C: If you can find some long bolts that fit into the block threads, cut off the heads and use them as a guide to slide the trans back onto the engine.

That's exactly what I did a few years ago when I was doing a clutch job by myself. Made the re-installation a helluva lot easier.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-22-2013).]

I am 66 and 140 pounds, took it off and put it back in by hand. Larry

Not sure on getrag but the muncie is so light I picked it up with 1 hand and carried it around, it's really light.

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86 Fiero GT 4spd - L67 swap: VS cam, GenV. Needs exhaust (ETA 9/13) Build Progress
98 GTP - Some mods

The Getrag is only about 80 lb - easy to handle alone by the average person.

It makes a big difference how this tranny is to be lifted and for what purpose.

Sure, it's easy enough to stand over a tranny that's sitting on the floor and lifting it straight up and carrying it from here to there and back again.

And it's probably not too difficult lifting a tranny and placing it on the back of an engine that's sitting on a cradle (out of the car) in the middle of the floor.

It's a whole different matter however to maneuver it in place in the engine bay by lifting it up and over the rear knuckle (while the cradle is tipped down), continuing to hold it up while lining up the clutch and input shaft, and properly positioning it on the back of the engine. I don't care what anyone says...that's not so easy to do.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-23-2013).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: It's a whole different matter however to maneuver it place in the engine bay by lifting it up and over the rear knuckle (while the cradle is tipped down), continuing to hold it up while lining up the clutch and input shaft, and properly positioning it on the back of the engine. I don't care what anyone says...that's not so easy to do.

Yeah, I've done that too. That's when it's best to have another person and an extra floor jack to raise and lower the engine to meet up with the trans

Thanks to all. Sounds like it won't be too difficult. I'm used to old British trannys that weighed a ton so this will be much easier and it IS in the middle of my garage floor in the cradle but on a dolly. My plan is to lift the engine with a floor jack under the oil pan so that the transaxle will clear the cradle and then pull it off the engine. Can any one tell me if the fron engine mount gives enough lateral support that the engine won't flop sideways withouth the transmission mounts to give it lateral support?

IIRC, the Getrag 5-spd weighs around 90 lb. Two people should be able to handle that easily.

Edit to add: balancing the drivetrain on just the front engine mount and a floor jack sounds like a risky proposition. You'd risk having the drivetrain tip over and destroy the mount. It would be a better idea to lift it with a crane.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 08-23-2013).]

I've done manual trans loads of times by myself, pretty easy. Automatics on the other hand weight a ton and are a pain!

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Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!

Dave

www.ltlfrari.com