Scott,
I have owned my '74 TR6 for about 4 years now. Right after I purchased it, I
replaced the non-OD transmission with an overdrive unit. Naturally, when doing
this, I also replaced the clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing and
re-worked the clutch mechanism. Naturally, the transmission began leaking
about 3 months laster and I had to remove it again and take it back to the shop
to get that fixed. It was a pain, but I got some things in return that made me
happy, so it wasn't so bad after all. So the transmission has been in and out
twice.
This past year after a collision, I decided to do the paint work right and
decided to pull the engine and transmission so that I could paint the engine
compartment. I pulled the engine with the transmission attached and found that
to be extremely difficult. So much so that I decided to reinstall the engine
and bring the transmission back through the interior as the Bently manual
directs.
While this sounds like a lot of extra effort, from my experience, I would
remove the tunnel and pull the tranny and then pull the engine and reverse the
order when reinstalling. In my opinion, even with removing the interior, it is
a lot easier.
As far as the tunnel, you can purchase the plastic replacement tunnels that
come with gaskets. I glued the gaskets in place to the car and removing the
tunnel is 17 bolts, but in my opinion it makes the process much easier. I am
not sure that you could guide the engine and transmission into the car without
access through the tunnel even if you decided to re-install the two as a unit.
John Shewmake
'74 TR6
Chattanooga, TN
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