Any tips for refitting gearbox to bellhousing?

[saml666]

Back on here after an extended break finishing my Chimaera rebuild, fitting Megasquirt, learning child-rearing and finally building a proper workshop and garage.

Yes I know, p**s poor excuses!

To business, having got it all running nicely (really nicely, thanks Shaun!) the clutch let go so I pulled it all off. I mis-read the tips on here so already had the bellhousing undone and gearbox moved back before realising the advice says split box and bellhousing ... read twice, do once etc.

I managed to wriggle it all out in one piece but would not fancy putting it back like that so have split the two on the floor ready for rebuild.

My question regards the two upper bolts of the four which connect gearbox to bellhousing ... they look fairly inaccessible and the castings mean that some sockets and extensions won't go on very neatly.

So ... how have people done it?

It looks as though getting some good leverage on the ratchet will be a pain in the ass.

Cheers, thank you in advance for any replies.
Sam

[AV8]

I know what you mean. I managed to get at the top ones with a very long 3/8 extension, and a short one, both with wobble ends on them.
The wobble ends allow the extension to clear the box while the socket sits on straight.

[storm grey]

did mine a couple of weeks ago left the bellhousing in place and split the box to replace the seal in the front of the box. the top 2 bolts were a bit tricky but with some small sockets and long extensions we managed. hope this helps.

[OleVix]

storm grey said:

did mine a couple of weeks ago left the bellhousing in place and split the box to replace the seal in the front of the box. the top 2 bolts were a bit tricky but with some small sockets and long extensions we managed. hope this helps.

I didnt find this too hard, as long as the engine in tilted a bit downward, no problemo

[saml666]

Thank you chaps, I feared that might be the case. At least I know I've got to just get on with it.

Mercifully clean as only done a couple of hundred miles since the rebuild.

I think I must have I advertantly fitted the old clutch that was on the car when I bought it, as opposed to the 5k one I already had spare.

Doh!

New Helix item due tomorrow.

Cheers
Sam