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MG MGB Technical - Engine removal

What’s the thought regarding engine removal, I was intending to remove the engine to try to remedy a few of the oil leaks and fit a new clutch. I believe some consider best to do it with the gearbox and overdrive unit but would have thought it easier to lift just the engine. Would welcome thoughts on this. Thanks
Trevor Harvey

Definitely easier just doing the engine - one man job with just a folding hoist. The clutch slave, speedo cable, prop-shaft, gearbox harness, centre-console and gear-lever and especially the gearbox crossmember are all extra work you don't need if you don't need to work on the gearbox internals. You can deal with the front cover, rear oil seal and speedo drive with it in-situ.

I've chosen to do them separately when I _have_ needed the gearbox out as it slides out underneath complete with cross-member, that is easier to re-fit off-car unless you have a lift. Again a one-man job.
paulh4

Agree with Paul.

I favour the separate method.
Dave O'Neill 2

4hours longer for the return journey doing both
Paul Walbran

Thanks all for your advice, looks like it will be engine only out.
Trevor Harvey

Just my 2 cents….. When getting the motor out/in putting the car at an angle helped me a lot. Put the rear wheels higher than the front wheels, around 7 degrees. That way the engine hangs level so when the hoist moves forwards or backwards the gearbox and the engine stay in line perfectly, enabling a smooth exit and entry of the input shaft. No pulling, pushing or jerking around!
Probably nothing new to the more experienced among us, but I was still surprised by the result.

C.Boerop Kees

The leveller should do that.

The other issue with CBs is that when you pull the engine straight forward off the gearbox the crank pulley hits the steering rack, even with engine and gearbox lifted together until the gearbox is at the top of the tunnel. At that point the engine needs to be tilted to raise the pulley clear of the rack, then it can be pulled the rest of the way forward. Reverse the process to refit.

Doesn't happen with RBs as with the different crossmember the body and hence the engine and gearbox are that bit higher than the rack tube.

The back _does_ need to be higher than the front to remove both engine and gearbox together, or the whole car lifted high enough for the tail of the gearbox to go right down as in the attached - which is a good example of why it easier to do just the engine even if both need to come out.


paulh4

Paul, is it worth removing the bottom pulley first to avoid this.
Trevor Harvey

Not something I would do given that changing the angle clears it.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 29/02/2024 and 10/03/2024

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