I was reading my shop manual, getting ready to drop my T-5 and bellhousing so I can replace the clutch on my '84 T/A (completely stock setup, btw). I noticed that the steps outlined didn't make any mention of having to support the engine while doing this. Is this correct- will the engine stay safely in place while I remove the transmission and bellhousing, or should I support it somehow? And if so, what's the best/safest way to support the rear of the engine while I'm replacing the clutch?

Thanks!

 

No, the motor will be fine, though it will lean towards the rear a little, depending on if your exhaust is loose or not.
I usually have to loosen up my header-Y-pipe connection to get the motor to lean back any.
I've done the clutch nine times in my RS.
-Rich-

 

Rich- will it lean back far enough where I might want to remove the distributor to keep it from hitting the firewall?

David

 

ive only seen once a post where the distributer hit the firewall which was just cause for having to go get a new distributor (at least cap and rotor)
so you may want to do somethin about that

 

Agreed. I didn't know how far back the engine would lean, but it's cheap insurance to just yank it and drop it back in and spend 1 minute with the strobe light....

 

Yes, it's a good idea to remove the distributor cap.
Don't need to remove the whole thing.

If you need to loosen the exhaust do it where the manifolds attach to the y-pipe.

-Rich-

 

i removed my distributer cap when i put in my new clutch only because i did not want to break my new accell supercoil

 

Just remove the cap? Even better I'll do that then if it'll give me enough clearance.

 

yeah cap should be enough.