Biba's growly rear end

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Okay, gang, thanks a lot! NOW you offer advice.

I should probably mention what this is all about and then mention names
and their suggestions, but figure All three of you Alfetta GT
enthusiasts probably know what I'm talking about.

Yesterday, poor little old '79 Alfetta GT (which has been sitting in
front of my shop) has unwittingly begun to be the 75's donor car ["Hey,
Sis, can I borrow your kidney (transaxel) until mine gets fixed?"]

Slowish progress, but did get the underneath somewhat cleaned up,
exhaust undone (but not out, 'cause middle and rear sections were welded
together), removed axle shafts completely, and began removing drive
shaft nuts. Today, Sunday, will continue.

I know this has been discussed before, but by far the best way to remove
the 24 hex bolts, is to insert a 5 mm hex socket (with extensions where
required), give the end about three or four good whaps with a large
hammer, and unless totally rusted on, hex bolts should come off
relatively easily. I also squirted major amounts of PB Blaster on heads
and bottoms of bolts. Unless you have a helper, you will be getting out
from underneath quite often to turn wheels / discs to place the heads of
the hex bolts in the space limited 'sweet spot', then put in gear and
pull on emergency brake handle. Very important NOT to remove emergency
brake cable before completing the axles and the drive shafts nuts.

Several people mentioned it wasn't all that hard to remove the clutch.
I've always found it to be a major PITA. My thinking (along with Will
Owen's) was to simply line up the 'new' transaxel, remove the 75's,
slide in the new and repair the 'old' when time allowed. If it turns out
to be a simple bearing or two, at least I'll have a transaxel with
considerably fewer miles on it.

My biggest fear would be to get the clutch out of the 'old' car, then
find the shaft bearings were all in excellent shape, along with the
throw-out bearing. Then it would have been on to the transmission (from
underneath the car) and, for me, much deeper water, not to mention time.
There is also a tinkle which is evident even at idle, which indicates
fairly major wear in at least the internal shift mechanism, if not gears
/ synchros themselves (or all of the above).

The donor car has supposedly less than 60k miles. Hopefully they were
carefully shifted miles (or at least she won't tinkle and growl when all
is buttoned up).

Hi ho, hi ho, off to work I go...

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

I'm somewhat kidding about the number of Alfetta GT enthusiasts and hope
a whole bunch bring their cars to the July Convention (even if they're
not 'quite' concours).

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