Track Sump Chassis Mod

[Noblescort]

I need to remove the track sump on my 2.5 as it has a hole in it that needs welding. The track sump was retro-fitted to the car and I am guessing that it was fitted when other work was being done that required the engine to be removed as the chassis has not been modified. When it was fitted they also replaced the clutch. Is clutch replacement an engine-out job?

It has taken me all afternoon to disconnect the section of exhaust that runs underneath the sump (the bolts were rusted solid and had to be cut off with only enough room to use about 6 teeth of the hacksaw - how frustrating!). Having disconnected the section of the exhaust I can't see how it will come out. Is there a trick or are there other things that need removing? Once I get it out (assuming I can without cutting the chassis), is it possible to get the sump out without cutting the chassis?

Anyone got any pictures of how the chassis is modified when retro-fitting the Track Sump on a 2.5.

[JLSELAN]

Not sure if it's the same on a 2.5, but there is a pic here (post #12) of the frame mod done on late model 3Rs and M400s:
http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=4189&a...

Also, engine must come out for a clutch replacement unless chassis has been modified with a removable cross brace on left side that allows the tranny to be pulled off the engine while it's still in the car. I suspect it would be very unlikely to find that mod on a 2.5 .

[gizard]

Before I changed my car to a 3L I had the chassis cut and the removable part put in so that they could put on the track sump without removing the engine - I beleive my car was one of the first customer cars to have the track sump, it was also one of the first to have the suspension mod which made the rear wheels toe in under compression.

[Adrian W]

gizard said:

Before I changed my car to a 3L I had the chassis cut and the removable part put in so that they could put on the track sump without removing the engine - I beleive my car was one of the first customer cars to have the track sump, it was also one of the first to have the suspension mod which made the rear wheels toe in under compression.

Hi Guy, can you remember how they tweeked the suspension?