Installing engine and transaxle as one unit

[hedmanbr]

Has anyone installed both the engine and transaxle together as a single unit? Is it easier that way. I have both out for rebuilds and was wondering. It would certainly be easier to mate the two outside of the car, but not sure how bad it will make the install to have a single unit that big and heavy.

[busdaddy]

Depends on the vehicle, which kind are you asking about?
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[Cusser]

[Glenn]

In a Bus... yes.

In a Beetle... no.
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[oprn]

^^^ This! ^^^
It may also work in the late type 3 with the moustache bar and the 411/412s. It won’t work in a Beetle.
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[b-man]

Unless it’s a vehicle with IRS suspension and no frame horns it would not make any sense.

Any swing axle vehicle definitely not.

A vehicle with IRS and frame horns that mount the transaxle you’re just making the job much more difficult, dumb idea.
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[94touring]

The only "all in one" job I've done was in my bus when I needed to swap a nose cone out. Rather than pull the motor and transaxle I just slid it all back as one unit about 4 inches to swap it out. Otherwise not so sure I would want to install them as one heavy and bulky unit.

[raygreenwood]

[nextgen]

That was my favorate reason for loving my 914 when I had it.

As you may know they are mid engine and the tranny was behind the engine. The T-4 engine and tranny just lower to the floor.

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[VWporscheGT3]

[nextgen]

I had no clue, been driving bugs for 54 years and just learned somethiing new.
Thanks guys.
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[oprn]

On the Beetle it really boils down to two issues. The first is that there is not really enough room to remove the two bolts in the frame horns to separate the rear mount saddle from the frame horns. Then if you leave the saddle in place and unbolt the rear transaxle mounts you cannot move the engine/transaxle assembly far enough back to drop out before it hits the rear body apron.

At least that is the way I remember it from way back then.
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[jeffrey8164]

I’ll share my Ghia experience but it involved removing the engine and transmission as a unit.
I had a problem where the engine would not separate from the trans. Tried every prybar I had and would not pop out. Decided to try and disassemble the engine while in the car. Managed to get the fan shroud, tins and oil cooler off but the heads were a no go. So someone suggested removing both the engine and transaxle as a unit. Worth a shot.
IRS transaxle so disconnected the CVs, cable, cradle bolts and nose cone mount.
Pulled it rearward but once loose discovered the CV flanges don’t drop out. Had to muscle the unit up with the engine side high and pull it to the rear until the flanges cleared then push everything forward for the engine to clear the rear apron.
So I will say no. Absolutely easier to install and remove separately.
Eventually found my flywheel had grabbed onto one of the transaxle mount nuts and wouldn’t let go.
Lesson learned. Don’t use nyloc nuts on your transaxle mounts.

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[hedmanbr]

Thanks everyone for such quick replies. The vehicle is a 65 bug so It sounds like it is not a good idea. I'll just have to install them separately.

[txoval]

An IRS beetle wouldn’t be bad…swingaxle forget about it

[Glenn]

[oprn]

jeffrey8164 wins this debate! He has just been there and done that!
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[b-man]

[b-man]

[oprn]