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LBC28730
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2021
Posts: 78
Location: NC
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 Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:42 am Post subject: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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Even though I'd never pulled a VW Boxer, remove was pretty straightforward and probably took less than 2hrs, being bet careful.
Head gasket replacement was also very straightforward.
Getting it back in has been quite challenging, even with a cherry picker.
I'm in a less than optimal positition and wondered what the best stand alone engine lift solution may be?
I have a lateral engine support but it won't fit this span properly.
I spent several hours trying to sort it out so I'm going to sleep on it and hope i wake up with a solution. :/
l
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1984 Westfalia |
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DanHoug
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Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4752
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:59 am Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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do you have a load leveler on your lift? really helps getting the angles right to mating to trans and the lifting in place.
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Past projects can be found at--
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sanchius 
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Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1450
Location: IN
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 7:56 am Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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| LBC28730 wrote: |
Getting it back in has been quite challenging, even with a cherry picker.
I'm in a less than optimal positition and wondered what the best stand alone engine lift solution may be?
I have a lateral engine support but it won't fit this span properly.
I spent several hours trying to sort it out so I'm going to sleep on it and hope i wake up with a solution. :/
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I don't want to store a cherry picker, so for solo engine installs I use:
- A clutch alignment tool (bottom)
- A 2-lift-point engine support bar (red) running fore-aft with a hydraulic jack underneath for safety.
- Ratchet strap (blue) supporting the fat end of transmission that allows me to angle the trans up/down to match the engine angle.
- Long alignment/guide Bolts through the four engine & transmissions bolt holes (yellow arrows) to line everything up inserting the spline.
When I do use a cherry picker, an engine leveler is an essential part of the kit.
Clutch alignment tool
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Vanagon Nut
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Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10365
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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If transmission is still bolted to frame with clutch housing end low to help line up engine, maybe that's introducing an extreme angle like this ?
engine |\ tranny.
Removing the alternator might add clearance between engine to rear apron.
Neil.
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tjet
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Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 3533
Location: CA & NM
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:26 am Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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I can't tell in the pic, but you want to support the transmission. The angle is wrong if you dont, and it also moves around too much.
When I did mine, I also used a floor jack to help tilt the enging to match the angle of the supported trans
It also helps if you leverage the engine in. I used a couple of 2x2's to help press in the eng to trans (see in photo)[/img]
Note the angle of the flats on the engine support bar.
See how I have a piece of wood setting on the horizontal legs of the cherry picker? I have a small cherry picker from autozone. I rested the engine on it's legs & rolled it under the van
Also, you dont need a load leveler. You can do this with a floor jack by itself. The only reason I used the cherry picker was to keep the engine from falling off the jack. The jack is doing 90% of the work |
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davlance01
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Joined: May 10, 2013
Posts: 224
Location: Ohio
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:20 pm Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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Installed one with a transmission jack once, need to get that van higher though.
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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syncro surf
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Joined: June 06, 2017
Posts: 189
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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I've done it several times with just a floor jack under the engine and a bottle jack supporting the trans. The transmission is a bit lower than it belongs until the engine is mated, then jack the the whole thing into place.
Kind of a throwback to the aircooled days, but it has always gone fine. It's certainly easier with a helper. |
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LBC28730
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2021
Posts: 78
Location: NC
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| Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 7:45 pm Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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| DanHoug wrote: |
do you have a load leveler on your lift? really helps getting the angles right to mating to trans and the lifting in place.
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I do actually but couldn't seem to position it to where I could actually use it.
| sanchius wrote: |
I don't want to store a cherry picker, so for solo engine installs I use:
- A clutch alignment tool (bottom)
- A 2-lift-point engine support bar (red) running fore-aft with a hydraulic jack underneath for safety.
- Ratchet strap (blue) supporting the fat end of transmission that allows me to angle the trans up/down to match the engine angle.
- Long alignment/guide Bolts through the four engine & transmissions bolt holes (yellow arrows) to line everything up inserting the spline.
When I do use a cherry picker, an engine leveler is an essential part of the kit.
Clutch alignment tool
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That's the ticket!!!
I didn't think to mount the bar going fore and aft!
I have that same thing and that will allow me to line it up, even on the less than optimal surface I am working with!
Thanks!
| Vanagon Nut wrote: |
If transmission is still bolted to frame with clutch housing end low to help line up engine, maybe that's introducing an extreme angle like this ?
engine |\ tranny.
Removing the alternator might add clearance between engine to rear apron.
Neil. |
Definitely, I just needed more ideas to get it lined up.
Good call on the Alternator, I had actually removed it for more clearance.
| tjet wrote: |
I can't tell in the pic, but you want to support the transmission. The angle is wrong if you dont, and it also moves around too much.
When I did mine, I also used a floor jack to help tilt the enging to match the angle of the supported trans
It also helps if you leverage the engine in. I used a couple of 2x2's to help press in the eng to trans (see in photo)[/img]
Note the angle of the flats on the engine support bar.
See how I have a piece of wood setting on the horizontal legs of the cherry picker? I have a small cherry picker from autozone. I rested the engine on it's legs & rolled it under the van
Also, you dont need a load leveler. You can do this with a floor jack by itself. The only reason I used the cherry picker was to keep the engine from falling off the jack. The jack is doing 90% of the work |
Very nice.
I just couldn't visualize how to use my red engine support but I think that will end up being key given the gravel I have to work with.
| davlance01 wrote: |
| Installed one with a transmission jack once, need to get that van higher though. |
Sure possible in a pinch!
I changed a transmission in a 1985 RV on the side of the road in Utah about 2 years ago.
Never want to have to do that again haha
| djkeev wrote: |
My easiest VW boxer install was with a home made hoist using 2x's and a boat winch!
Stupid easy.....
Dave |
Ah yes, this is the design I was picturing.
Fortunately Sanchius pointed out I can put it in fore/aft and think that will sort it out!
| syncro surf wrote: |
I've done it several times with just a floor jack under the engine and a bottle jack supporting the trans. The transmission is a bit lower than it belongs until the engine is mated, then jack the the whole thing into place.
Kind of a throwback to the aircooled days, but it has always gone fine. It's certainly easier with a helper. |
Should have the solution, my biggest issue was the varied surfaces I think.
Thanks everyone for the input.
I think I just needed "fresh eyes" after I messed with it for hours and just couldn't sort it out.
The red engine bar I have fore/aft should be perfect to get it all sorted out.
Thanks!~
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LBC28730
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2021
Posts: 78
Location: NC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 12:53 am Post subject: Re: Having issues getting 1.9 MT back in |
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Transmission went back in just fine when I used the red engine support bar.
Didn't expect/no procedures mention misalignment of the relay bar so I guess that's my next thing! :/
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