Disconnect the exhaust at the head, and let it hang,

Having trouble getting the head off of the engine. Any tips?

Meaning the head gasket won't release it?
Try prying between the tensioner and the little round piece the sticks out at the front of the head.

Got the exhaust manifold off and also cut the exhaust pipe near the guibo (it was welded together). I ordered a clamp that will hold it together.

Yet I still can't get the transmission out. The engine won't tilt if I push up from the bottom (oil pan area. Thinking of maybe trying a jack under the engine? I'm a bit lost right now, but I'm nowhere near giving up.

I got the flywheel, and I'll order a clutch kit soon. The transmission is on the floor of the garage and could use a degreasing -- any suggestions?

Once it's degreased, I'm ready to start the rebuild. My friend warned me that replacing the needle bearing can be tough, and lamented a time where he had trouble with replacing it. What sort of grease should I cover it in when replacing it? Also, I need a set of snap ring pliers. Any recommendations?

Anyone have any experience rebuilding transmissions? I've got that book for it, but if anyone can point me to some info, I'd appreciate it.

dont pressure wash the tranny. that just sprays grease all over everywhere. I use a biodegradable degreaser like grease lightning or one of those. i've tried several and they are about the same. buy the big jug and use plenty. tooth brushes, toilet brushes, and bottle brushes are good things. Dont go cheap on the snap ring pliers. I have one with replacable tips that come in straight, 90s and 45 angles. Mine is a K-O #2012. i'm sure its an antique by now. doesnt work like pliers. it has a screwdriver style opening system that allow you to let go and not lose position.

Still degreasing, but I'm going to begin the process of taking it apart this weekend. I've got the manual, I'm ordering a bunch of plastic bags and boxes for organizing everything, and I might even get some diesel to soak the most grease ridden things in.

BEEK, if you're reading this, I sent you a PM about putting the photos up but I suspect your inbox is full and you didn't get it. Any chance you could put those up?

Anyone else have any advice on a transmission rebuild? I'm planning on doing the needle bearing and have heard a horror story of greasing it correctly to keep everything in place. Any recommendations here?

Best!

Starting taking it all apart today. Bagged everything into rear housing/lay shaft/main shaft/etc. Could've been a bit more detailed in my organization -- I'm going to have a headache putting it all together. Just the main shaft is hanging in there now. Tomorrow I'm going to inspect all the parts and figure out what needs to be replaced.

Finished taking the mainshaft out today. There are two snap rings that I can't get off, though. One on the mainshaft holding third gear in place, and the one on the input shaft holding the bearing in place on the input side.

It's the right side of the snap ring in this photo:


and on the bottom in this photo:


So it's fairly clearly squeezed between those two pieces there. Any tips?

Also, I fear I may have done a poor job when disassembling of keeping the parts organized. Does anyone have any photos of their own rebuilds I could refer to?

Thanks!

I will put some up later today
R/

Can you send me a PM with your email and I will dump you a whole bunch of photos, unless everyone wants to see them here.
r/

is there a reason you want to remove those snap rings? the one on the input shaft does not need to be removed unless you are changing the input bearing, they have spring washers behind them and if you take the snap ring off without proper care and tools you will damage it and need a new one. the one on the mainshaft only needs to be removed if you are replacing 3rd gear syncro, and by your photo it looks fine. sorry i have not gotten around to upload my transmission pictures yet, just been real busy. i will try to real soon

No sweat BEEK. I would like to inspect the bearing, but if you don't think it's necessary, sounds good to me. As for the 3rd gear synchro, I'd like to replace it while I've got this thing apart.

A major reason for this rebuild is that second gear was giving me trouble and since I had to get the transmission out to fully inspect the flywheel's ring gear, I figured I should take care of the second gear issue. However, I notice that there's only slight evidence of a ground gear there, and I'm not sure what a worn synchro would look like.

The issue was essentially that second gear would not engage unless I had matched rpms. And while I can double clutch and rev match pretty well, I'd like it to not be a problem. Can anyone describe what a worn synchro looks like? or provide a photo?

Thanks!

im am putting the hurry on the transmission rebuilt part of my soon to be fiat spider restoration guide.... i will try and have a rough draft this week on the gearbox. then i have to figure out how to share it

the easiest way to remove that snap ring on 3rd gear takes 2 people and a vice, if you dont have a tool made to load the washer, and i dont anymore, i used to but it got away. i do it by myself, but i recommend a helper. put the snap ring pliers on the snap ring apply moderate pressure to remove it, be careful not to apply too much pressure and distort the snap ring. mount the shaft in a vice and make sure you are not damaging the shaft, only need to hold it in place, soft jaws are recommended.
now take a punch and hammer and hit the snap ring downward with the punch, not inward towards the shaft, but downward. all the while applying pressure to the snap ring to remove / open it. you will be able to work your way around the shaft removing the snap ring. installation is much easier. put the ring in place and use the punch and hammer to seat the snap ring, while applying pressure to install / close the ring once in the groove. this time tap inwards and downwards at the same time. i hope this make sense. if not let me know and i will try and better describe the process