I have a pair of 1987 NA FCs. One has a good chassis but bad transmission. The other has a busted chassis but the transmission seems to be in great condition. I am swapping the transmission in the good chassis. My first question is:

How the hell do you get the Clutch Release Cylinder off?

More questions to come as I run into more problems...

 

the "slave" cylinder is bolted from the top of the transmission with 2 12mm bolts just behind the oil filter. lift up the coolant heater hose, remove the oil filter and the bolts will slap you in the face.

 

remove the Slave when the tranny is out of the car.

however sometimes you need to remove it as it may hinder the tranny from coming out a little.

 

why? then you have to disconnect the line and bleed the clutch system(which i've seen many people botch). it does also create a roadblock on the transmission in the tunnel while pulling the tranny as you mentioned.

 

Ok, I'm almost ready to unbolt the transmission. Do I need to support the engine before I do this? If so, what is the best way to do that?

 

Also, why does the starter motor need to come off? It looks like the only thing it's bolted to is the transmission...

 

there is a bellhousing bolt that goes in behind the starter. its really simple to take the starter off.
as for supporting the motor idk. hook up the engine hoist?

 

i just let engine set on its mounts when i pulled my trans, and it was fine

 

Leave it on the mounts, it's not going anywhere.

 

However, when installing the transmission, it may help to put a jack under the front side of the engine to tilt it back a bit.

 

thats genius oakback! i wouldent have had to fight so hard. why dident i think of that

 

+1 for tilting the motor down when installing the transmission. It makes it so much easier to line the two up.

 

this is good to know since i'll have to do this soon. just dropped my trans last week to change the pilot and throw out bearing since the throw out was junk. to find the pilot bearing had destroyed the act clutch.