clutch change ?

[gt750jim]

is it possible to change the clutch on a v12 without removing the engine ?

[MarekH]

Dear Jim,

Yes it is and it has been described on the jag-lovers list. Consider though, that it isn't really for the amateur, as the sole purpose is saving time, but you will need a pit, be able to prop up and move the HEAVY geabox/bellhousing at an angle on top of hoisting the engine to the correct angle.

The "savings" are usually made when it comes to have to repeat such a task at the expense of working it out for the first time. Essentially, the mechanic gets to quote for the same job second time around and earn relative to the competition who do it the conventional way.

kind regards
Marek

[gt750jim]

i have stupidly told a friend that i would help with the clutch change on his v12 he has a 4 post ramp so we can get underneath no problem i had assumed we would be pulling the engine and box but he was told that you can drop the gearbox enough to change the clutch ? i am clueless as i thought the was not enough room ? has anyone done this ?

[gt750jim]

i can't find anything about it on the jag lovers list ?

[MarekH]

Dear Jim,

You haven't looked very hard!

I found it in a few seconds using the search function and it turned up a post in 2003 describing it, with further references which I haven't followed up.

I searched for "v12 clutch change tilt -fan".

kind regards
Marek

[vee12eman]

Hi Jim.

I can vouch that you can remove a V12 E-type gearbox from underneath, without engine removal, as I have done it, without a pit or ramps and by myself.

However, I have a Getrag Gearbox fitted, which will differ in size and shape from original. Also, the Getrag I have (a long Getrag gearbox as opposed to the short one without tailshaft extension), has a spline output rather than the original bolted coupling, so I had to move the propshaft backward to disengage the output and the only way to achieve this was to drop the rear suspension. Even then, it would not come all the way out and I had to support the gearbox, pull it back, remove the bell housing from the gearbox and remove the two once separated, reversing the operation to re-install and bolting up the gearbox to the bell housing more or less in situ.

The issue was that the gearbox, even with the propshaft completely removed, would not move far enough back in the tunnel to allow the bell housing to pass over the clutch assembly. If I remember correctly, after separating the two, I was able to pull the gearbox back, tip it nose down once the input shaft had come clear of the clutch, whilst at the same time tilting the bell housing in the opposite direction until it would pass over the clutch assembly. The two come out at the same time, but in different directions so to speak. Sadly, I took no photos. However, the use of a pit/ramp and two people will be a definite advantage.

The up side of this, if your friends car is original, is that the propshaft will have a spline built into it and will slide back and hopefully eliminate the need to remove the rear suspension, you may not need to separate the bell housing in your case, but I suspect you will and it is worth remembering as a a fall back.

I hope this helps, please report back as I have been asked this question by others and having no experience of a standard car, I have been unable to confirm, though I have always suspected it is possible.

Regards,

Simon