19j clutch job - remove gearbox or engine?

I need to replace the friction plate on a D reg 1987 19j 90. Its a first time thing for me. To save up to £700.00 quid I've opted to do it myself.

The questions are: those of you who have replaced the friction plate on a 19j what problems did you happen across (any tips?) and is it easier to take out the whole engine (as suggested by Haynes) or just the gearbox?

gear box is easier .tunnel floor, plates,diaphragm,exhaust front pipe,cross member and props ,replace with full kit incuding release arm klt only £60 borg beck

I'm with James on this one, i prefer taking the gearbox out than the engine but theres not a lot in it.

It also depends on what kit you have, I have a soft top so a chain/tackle block through the roof was easy for me. The engine crane in the workshop broke when my mate did his and he couldn't be bothered to take his station wagon roof off so took the engine out with said tackle block instead.

also if you have a knackered lt77 gearbox around, cut off the input shaft -it makes an axcellent tool for aligning the clutch

Gearbox option can be done with a Trolley jack,do not remove gearbox rubber to chassis mounts remove chassis mount to chassis bolts and the gearbox will slide between the rails.Do unplug transferbox dash warning lights.

Thanks for the suggestions. I was well into the job, right up to removing the props - and that's when I discovered that the garage that had done repair work to them in the past had mangled the connecting bolts and nuts to buggery. Not having the right kit to get around this I am now taking the engine out. Words cannot express my feelings at the moment towards the garage that put me in this position. Still, I guess it'll give me the chance to clean the whole engine area. Be positive!

while engine out split nuts with chisel and fit new