clutch replacement

scaffold · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 07:54 AM

Need help. Have a Contemporary with a Tremac 5-speed and started to put a clutch in it this morning. Appears you can't drop the trans. because there's a cross member (welded in on both sides) right under it and I'm gonna have to pull the engine out to get to the clutch. What's everyone else's experience with this??

RodgerH · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 08:04 AM

I'm not familiar with a Contemporary, but with my Superformance (which also has a welded crossmember) I can remove the seats and tunnel to remove the transmission from the top. Definitely easier than pulling the engine. Is your tunnel removable?

Rodger

madmaxx · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 08:20 AM

How do you get the transmission out the top in a spf???? It looks like the bellhousing is to wide for the opening. How much does it weigh?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodgerH

I'm not familiar with a Contemporary, put with my Superformance (which also has a welded crossmember) I can remove the seats and tunnel to remove the transmission from the top. Definitely easier than pulling the engine. Is your tunnel removable?

Rodger

scaffold · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 08:33 AM

thanks--we'll take a look and see

RodgerH · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaxx

How do you get the transmission out the top in a spf???? It looks like the bellhousing is to wide for the opening. How much does it weigh?

1. From the top, remove the driveshaft. Either put a spare yoke in the transmission or drain the fluid to keep from spilling fluid everywhere.
2. Put a jack under the oil pan to support the rear of the engine.
3. Remove the rear transmission mount bolts, unbolt the transmission from the bellhousing, then slide the transmission back, up, and out.
4. Unbolt the the bellhousing from the engine and drop it out the bottom.

Rodger

scaffold · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 09:21 AM

Rodger:
Looked at mine and the tranny tunnel is fiberglass and can't be removed. Gonna have to pull the engine. just as well because there's a thing or two I need to do to the engine. Thanks for your help

Double Venom · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 09:34 AM

Me thinks I'd (plasma) cut the cross-member out and make one that is bolt-able in lieu of! Regardless of the kit!

CobraEd · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 09:37 AM

Why the hell would any company weld the crossmember in when it should be bolted in for this reason. Talk about stupid !!!

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ACademic · #9 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraEd

Why the hell would any company weld the crossmember in when it should be bolted in for this reason. Talk about stupid !!!

.

Perhaps reduced loss of integrity to the overall frame? Incredible shearing forces would also result with bolts (both stretch and shear) vs. a good weld. Any increased tensional movement in the frame could also result in body flex, which would lead to more cracking, etc. These cars don't have a whole lot of cross-members to work with. Better for the OP to figure out a way to make his trans tunnel removable/servicable, because we all know that one clutch job will eventually lead to another.

mickmate · #10 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 01:09 PM

His problem won't be helped with a removable crossmember, which they did on later frames. His tunnel is glassed in to the car.

mdross1 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 02:47 PM

I would certainly pull the motor while out take care of the cross member making it removable.With the materials available today it would be easy to remedy that situation and keep it plenty strong enough,making the next clutch change a breeze.

scaffold · #12 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011, 04:09 PM

Thanks for all the help and info. We're pulling the engine out and I'm gonna look into cutting the member and reinstalling with a bolt in system while the motor's out. Again, thanks for all the help