C20xe into Manta B question...

[seanpren]

Hey lads, 

 

car has been stripped for the best part of 10 years and I've just finished painting it so hopefully will get the XE and gearbox back in over the Xmas break. 

Can any of you tell me whether to put the gear box into the car before the engine or after? Or does it matter? 

Was planning on putting engine in and then the gearbox after, have the lip at the top of the bulkhead trimmed back also. 

 

Silly question but I'm actually confusing myself overthinking it lol 

[®evo03]

1. Easiest way is complete front crossmember, engine and box, car up and lower.

2. Engine and box, messing with angles etc.

3. Engine  in place then curse why didn't I choose one, I've never had success with this, or not without lots of cursing. Trying to fix a gearbox is impossible, but some say doable. 

Not sure what u have in equipment, so hard to judge, engine crane can lift shell for 1. Ideally a post lift for 1. Got to be done even before the 1st cuppa is cold! 

As Opel did it 🙃

I

 

Edited December 22, 2022 by ®evo03

[seanpren]

Equipment wise not an issue to be honest - twin 2 post lifts but have the running gear polybushed and back in the car already, was hoping not to drop it again to be honest as bay is freshly painted and the top if the subframe bolts were painted to match the bay! 

I could of swore we put the engine in first and the gearbox on then the last time but like i said its so long ago now I'm doubting literally everything

[Jessopia74]

You can drop it in with gearbox on, but you need to take gear-lever off to do it. I would assemble gearbox to engine outside of car so you know it’s all aligned properly and no issues. Then split and put engine in from above (hoist) then gearbox from under on ramp. 

[seanpren]

2 minutes ago, Jessopia74 said:

You can drop it in with gearbox on, but you need to take gear-lever off to do it. I would assemble gearbox to engine outside of car so you know it’s all aligned properly and no issues. Then split and put engine in from above (hoist) then gearbox from under on ramp. 

exactly my thinking cheers mate 

[Jonathan Pounsett]

I appreciate you’ve already fitted the front crossmember but the “up and under” method is definitely easiest especially if you have the use of a lift.

[cam.in.head]

i think(like you originally thought) that you are overthinking it.

putting engine and box in as one unit is one way.       ive done that when i was converting mine to auto but otherwise its a matter of preference realy (and equipment/hoist etc)

ive fitted many an engine onto an existing gearbox and obviously done many a clutch with engine still in place and can say thats possibly the easiest way TO ME ! and how i would do it. on a 4 speed even easier but on a 5 prob best with exhaust front pipe undone.

ive removed a few complete units with front axle on cars i was scrapping  but never tried putting one back in that way. just seems way too extreme for what you are doing.(yes i know its only 4 crossmember bolts in theory but in relality  its anti roll bar,shockers,steering linkage,brake pipes.and getting the chassis bolts and steering shaft to line up whilst lowering the car onto it with the weight of the engine sounds like too much hassle.

[Ems]

I've fitted the engine and gearbox together from above, as stated the gear lever needs to be removed first.

I've also removed and re-fitted the gearbox twice this year with the front of the car up on a ramp, again without the gear lever attached.  The exhaust and inlet manifold also have to be removed to get access to the bolts.

Just realised you wanted advice on fitting into a B so probably not relevant!

Edited December 22, 2022 by Ems

[mantasrme]

With an XE i've dropped the engine in and then fitted the gearbox. I've fitted the gearbox first then dropped the engine onto it and i've dropped the shell onto the complete setup on a subframe.

To be honest the one i've used the most if gearbox in and then drop engine in, but that was without access to a ramp. The one time i lowered the shell onto a complete setup i had issue getting the dispack cam sensor housing at the back of the head to clear the lip of the bulkhead (even with it trimmed) whilst also getting the top crossmember bolts up through the chassis rails. With a CIH setup its the best way but with an XE it can be a little challenging, certainly by yourself.

[Paul Barrett]

Having it all on the subframe is easiest and drop the body over. 
mother ways are doable, engine in over but more risk of damaging paint etc. 

gearbox separately from under is a pain. 
but with ramps all is easier 

My experience is with A series though. 

[seanpren]

Thanks fellas much appreciated 

 

Collecting car from painter in the morning so will.hopefully a start made tomorrow but we'll see 

[®evo03]

Always found it hard fitting gearbox with engine in place, and can understand you paint issue. 

Easy, easy lemon squeezer, is the key, 

Let us know how you get on, after the cursing and the ten beers. 

[seanpren]

Collected from painters at 11.30. Engine gearbox and driveshaft on this afternoon. 

 

Engine in first, then gearbox from underneath. Bit of messing but loosened off the rear swan neck bolts and in she popped 

 

Happy out 

[cam.in.head]

great news.

my advice was only based on a cih engine anyway and on those with the 4 speed i usually put the bellhousing on first anyway as its externally detacheable so no need to worry about crossmember ,exhaust or bulkhead clearance.but with a 5 speed i always had to dissconnect the exhaust to get the engine to hang low enough !