I've bolted the 'box to the engine now and I'm trying to time it up, but it's gotten stuck. It did this the other say whilst I was trial fitting the 'box, and it wouldn't turn then. However, it turns over freely without the box on. The cam rotates easily when the belt is off, so I'm guessing the pistons aren't fouling the valves. Just don't remember it being this hard to crank by hand on other engine. I'm tempted to think it's the box. There is very little oil in either, could this be the problem?

Edited 1 September, 201115 yr by prankstar2003

Make sure the box is in neutral, could also be the clutch/flywheel fouling something.

Think the clutch/fly is fouling, but now I can't even get the fucking gearbox off the engine. Comes off about an inch, then gets jammed tight. Really pissing me off now, as that's 3 days in a row a problem has prevented me putting the engine in. Testing my patience to the max

First of all make sure you've removed the inspection cover on the bottom of the box. Sounds like your clutch is jammed. Are you doing all this with the engine in the car or out?

Out the car. We've come to the conclusion that the clutch spring plates are bound on the main shaft. Anyone had this problem and know how to get round it? All the paint is now chipped from my lovely engine, and I'm contemplating smashing the bell housing off to get to the clutch. Last resort obviously!

Can you see enough of the clutch to get at the bolts and undo them? Smashing the bell housing seems a bit extreme!

Nope, can't even see all of the fly wheel yet. Can lift the 'box about 1.5" off the block, then it jams. Have tried levering it off and hanging the whole weight of the engine off the gearbox, and it still won't shift.

how did the box go on? did it slide on easily or did you have to get bolts in and tighten it up?

most importantly is it the right clutch as part suppliers often make mistakes!

It went on ok, can't remember struggling to get it on. The clutch looked ok too, though I didn't compare part no.s.

Regardless, any ideas how I can get it off now?!

if you haven't tried it, try bolting the box back on then using the clutch lever (you'll have have to get a tube or something on it to get some extra leverage) depress the clutch if everything is ok it should move smoothly and centre the clutch perfectly then unless something is damaged you should be able to remove the box.

Tried it, didn't do anything. Will try again though. Thanks for the suggestions. Keep them coming!

Well my old man and one of the old boys across the road had a pop at getting the box of and managed it. Kerpow! Any road, turns out the splines in the friction plate hadn't gone in totally square. Anyway, we depressed the clutch arm and just levered the bloody thing off. Lesson learnt; always use and alignment tool!