Rear bumper removal - is it necessary?

[Oregon72]

Pulling my engine - '72. Is rear bumper removal absolutely necessary? Last night, I couldn't seem to get a couple of the bolts free. If I have to have the bumper off, I'll find a way, but if it is just a formality, my knuckles would prefer that I leave it alone.

The bus is on jack stands with the tires about 3 inches off the ground - will that give me enough clearance??

[Amskeptic]

Pulling my engine - '72. Is rear bumper removal absolutely necessary? Last night, I couldn't seem to get a couple of the bolts free. If I have to have the bumper off, I'll find a way, but if it is just a formality, my knuckles would prefer that I leave it alone.

The bus is on jack stands with the tires about 3 inches off the ground - will that give me enough clearance??

It is not at all necessary.

I recommend removing the 15mm bell housing bolts, above clutch lever and starter respectively, and dropping the engine and trans as a unit for the first 6-8" or so, then support the transaxle, and slide engine out from under the apron just as easy as you please.
Colin

[hambone]

With the early bays, is it OK to remove the complete bumper assembly including the brackets? Previously I removed the bumper only but now have splash pans.

[dhoch14]

Pulling my engine - '72. Is rear bumper removal absolutely necessary? Last night, I couldn't seem to get a couple of the bolts free. If I have to have the bumper off, I'll find a way, but if it is just a formality, my knuckles would prefer that I leave it alone.

The bus is on jack stands with the tires about 3 inches off the ground - will that give me enough clearance??

It is not at all necessary.

I recommend removing the 15mm bell housing bolts, above clutch lever and starter respectively, and dropping the engine and trans as a unit for the first 6-8" or so, then support the transaxle, and slide engine out from under the apron just as easy as you please.
Colin

From MY experience, it has been easier to remove 4 bolts that hold the bumper on to gain more clearance, rather than raising the engine higher. Not going against OmniColin, just speaking from experience.

If it is hard to get your bumper off, then it might be easier to jack the bus higher. For what it's worth, you won't know the clearance until you get the engine dropped. You might have to raise the bus higher to get it out. BE CAREFUL NOT to raise one side too high. Make sure you go back and forth. Ask me how I know.



don't listen to hammie and these Type 1 apron removing guys either. They are "special". :)

[hambone]

What a blast to remove that apron and NOT jack up the bus, watch the engine just roll back. What a great design.