As title really - when taking the engine out (1660 Xflow in a Tiger Super Six), is it easiest to:

a) take engine, bellhousing and gearbox out in one go (seems to be quite a long assembly and will be damn heavy and hard to manoeuvre)

b) undo all the bellhousing bolts and just take the engine out, leaving the bellhousing and 'box in place - but are there problems with seperating gearbox from engine whilst in car - and will the gearbox mount happily support gearbox and bellhousing on its own?

c) something else that I haven't thought of!

I like the idea of b), as I want to drop a zetec lump in (using the existing bellhousing and gearbox) so that I can make up some engine mounts and work out how I'm going to run the cooling pipes, wiring and stop the turbo melting things (mmm, turbo).

I don't want to change the gearbox position (and hence propshaft length, gearbox mounts etc), so ideally I want to leave it in place - can I disengage the engine by undoing the bellhousing bolts and wriggling the engine forwards?

Seasons Greetings etc,

Tom

Support the front of the gearbox and just lift the engine out. When refitting make sure clutch is aligned and engine and gearbox are in line . May help to put gearbox in top gear and turn the crank using a spanner on the pulley bolt to engage the Ist motion shaft (input shaft) in the clutch plate. Should need any force for it to go in

Exactly what I have done today. Removed the engine only so the gearbox is used to correctly positon the engine. I got the engine in and then made mountings to suit.
Just the TB's, MS, Wiring, Exhaust, Water Pipes etc to do now.
Should be ready for the spring!!