Freddy Engine and Trans Removal

I decided to use this long weekend to get started on removing the engine and trans from Freddy.  Despite only having about 1,500 miles on the trans since it was installed in 1992, it's very grumbly in 3rd and 4th gear, with a lot of noise under gentle acceleration.  So I put on my grubbies and boned up on my favorite cuss words for this messy task.

Engine removal was pretty straightforward, except for the starter.  One nut and one bolt that are pretty impossible to get at with normal tools, especially since Freddy uses lower motor mounts.  My new load leveler engine brace worked great, making it very easy to the engine up and out.

Removing the transmission was also fairly easy, until I actually had to lift it out.  Snatching 76 pounds from ankle height up to chest level, and then stepping over the radiator and front support while still holding it at chest level was a task.  As my neighbor can attest to, I apparently screamed out "damn dirty whore" in the middle of that motion, giving me the inspiration I needed to complete that task.

Best part?  Finding about five pounds of rat shit littering the engine bay floor.  This is going to be a fun cleaning job.

 

New Tools and DKW Work

I splurged on a few new tools for upcoming projects. One is 1/2" sander that worked great this morning. Very easy to use in tight spots, easy to change belts on etc.  

I also picked up a load leveler, which I'll be using as an engine hoist for pulling the motor out of Freddy, in preparation for swapping the transmission. Seems fairly robust, and just the right size.  It's also adjustable so you can tilt the engine one way or the other while it is suspended, in case you need to wiggle it a little bit.  My old "hoist" for the FV motor was a pair of straps, and any wiggling meant wiggle by armstrong, whilst trying to keep things from crashing about.

I haven't posted much about the DKW project, since I've been working on Freddy. But this weekend I finished up all the welding and metal cleanup. It will only require s little bit of body work to fill in a few nicks and scrapes. The new 1/2" sander worked great for getting into tight spots.

Meyers Lemon Martini

A refreshing martini to enjoy while I watch a little golf. Fresh squeezed Meyers lemon, mint and basil before a quick shake.

Comparison

I parked next to a CRZ yesterday, whilst at OSH getting a new toilet flapper.  One of these two-seaters moonlights as a minivan on weekends, by the size of it.