DeTomaso Mailing List: March 98, Message #79
     



From: 	"Mary Taphorn" <marytaphorn@email.msn.com>

Subject: Re: Mooney's ZF Removal Next Weekend

Date: 	Mon, 2 Mar 1998 21:09:39 +0000



>I need additional advice on steps to SAFELY remove my ZF without removing

the

>engine.



Don't sweat it. I too have a detailed engine bay and successfully pulled the

ZF without damage to the paint about 6 months ago.  If I remember correctly:



0) Remove deck lid

1) Unbolt engine mounts at the block (2 bolts each side)

2) loosen coolant hoses connecting coolant tubes to the engine.

3) Remove distributor cap for additional clearance so as not to hit firewall

when lifting back of engine.

4) disconnect Shift linkage(wrap in towel and lay on side of bay), trans

bolts, backup light wires, speedo cable and bellhousing bolts with clutch

slave.

5) unbolt A/C condenser and pull to side( wrap in towel).

6) Inspect to disconnect anything else that's in the way that I forgot to

mention.



Now you need to be creative with the tools you own.  The challenge is to

lift the rear of the engine with out pushing on the engine's oil pan and

distorting it.



I used a cherry picker to lift the ZF high enough to clear the later style

tranny brackets.

Then utilizing a chain attached to the block, I connected the chain to a bar

spread across my garage ceiling joists with my car ratchet tie downs.   I

know they say don't use them for lifting, but they worked fine. Using the

cherry picker to hold the weight of the tranny, I eased it off of the block

and lifted it out cleanly - not a scratch.  I couldn't figure out a way to

hold the rear of the engine up using a floor jack and not lifting on the oil

pan.  Resist all temptation to lift using the floor jack on the oil pan.

I've learned the hard way. With my first Pantera, performing the same task,

I had held the engine up with a block under the pan. When the job was

completed and I started the engine, I could hear a metallic tap every crank

revolution as the bobweight hit the scrapper.  Fortunately, I was able to

bend the pan back to shape without removing it. Don't press your luck.  Wish

you well



John