Date:         Sat, 29 Mar 2003 11:44:13 -0500
Reply-To:     john Runberg <jrunberg@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         john Runberg <jrunberg@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Dropping the tranny - advice NEEDED
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In preparation for EveryBus I though it might be nice to have 4 forward
gears instead of the 3 I currently have. I've pulled plenty of aircooled
manual tranny's but not Vanagons, so a couple questions...

1) where should I unbolt the clutch slave? The bracket attached to the
tranny? Just wire the assembly out of the way?

2) Put the van in first, unbolt the shifter, and then into second to slide
the shifter off the nose, right?

3) An exhaust crossover pipe overlaps the tranny by about 3". After
unbolting everything, I assume the forward end of the tranny needs to tip
down to clear the mount, then slide the unit forward to slide off the input
shaft and clear the exhaust? How much angle can I do without damaging
things?

4) what's the easiest way to get to the starter cables? From above or below?

5) I'll need to support the engine to remove the tranny, right? I was
planning on putting a 4x4 post over the engine opening, putting a strap
around the engine and tensioning it up. Is that OK, or is there a better
way? Come of think of it, I should prob lower the engine/tranny slightly
THEN tension the strap so I can clear that mount. Sound good??

Anything else I should be aware of or replace while I'm down there? Please
p-mail me (I'm on digest) if you have any suggestions.

Thanks!

John