Disco 1 How to undo top bellhousing bolts TDi200 Disco

I have to take out the TDi 200 engine from an old and very rusty discovery. The access to the top bellhousing bolts looks very restricted. If I remove the engine mountings and lower the engine will that let me get to the upper bolts?

Also, I am struggling to undo the turbo mounting nuts, can't get a ring spanner on and an open ender won't shift them... Any suggestions please?

Lowering the injun is about the only way without destroying the BH - how rusty is the disco ? if you're scrapping it, which is a shame given their increasing value, then you could take a grinder to the BH

My preferred method is to lower the rear of the engine and transmission as a whole, and use a long 3/8" extension to get up there ...it also gives enough space to get your hands up there too.

If the rad is still in, make sure it doesn't get trashed by anything on the front of the injun

If you take the mounts off, then as you say, it should be possible to get to the top bolts that way too - possibly even from under the bonnet - but that might need a bit of a reach around

Not an expert on the 200tdi, as i only have a 300tdi, and I'm not an expert on that either.
But from experience of other vehicles a few things come to mind.
Long extensions and a breaker bar for the bellhousing bolts, can you not tip the engine and gearbox down at the back together? i.e. by releasing the gearbox mounting? (Normal procedure to remove a gearbox on a standard car.),
Failing that, can you access them from inside the car, via the central cubby-box, gear lever(s) etc console?
As to the turbo, make sure you give it lots of sprays with the usual stuff of your choice, my favourite is a mix of ATF and acetone. Then gently tw@t the sides of the nuts with a hammer and extension. If the open ended looks like it is going to round the nuts off then try a Mole grip, but before that look for the thinnest walled spanner or socket you can find. Preferably one that puts the pressure on the flats rather than the points of the nut.
Best of luck with it all.

Thanks for your reply, the outer body isn't too bad but the inner wings and rear floor are completely gone, I haven't examined it in detail but I think I could get it back on the road but it belongs to my son (Largest kid in my avatar, taken some years ago) and he has no welding gear or patience.

I only need the engine out, the rad has gone unfortunately and some prat has cut the fuel and oil cooler pipes right up to the unions...

I have limited access around the vehicle and limited time to spare, so I am grateful for your info. I am going to fit the engine into a series 3 SWB when I get time, but I need the engine out so my son can take the Disco back and get it out of my way.

Col-Sanders said:

Thanks for your reply, the outer body isn't too bad but the inner wings and rear floor are completely gone, I haven't examined it in detail but I think I could get it back on the road but it belongs to my son (Largest kid in my avatar, taken some years ago) and he has no welding gear or patience.

I only need the engine out, the rad has gone unfortunately and some prat has cut the fuel and oil cooler pipes right up to the unions...

I have limited access around the vehicle and limited time to spare, so I am grateful for your info. I am going to fit the engine into a series 3 SWB when I get time, but I need the engine out so my son can take the Disco back and get it out of my way.

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Is there a reason why you cannot drop the engine and gearbox out as one unit, then separate bits off it?
I take it the answer must be "lack of space".
I have had to do this several times and I tend to drop the whole thing on the floor, winch the front of the vehicle up in the air then drag the engine/box out from under it. Of course this all depends on what equipment you have. As well as space.
Do you not fancy the gearbox, axles and drive line for the Series 3?
Best of luck mate.

Severe lack of space, I have just room to walk sideways up one side of the Disco, I have a heavy duty engine crane quite capable of lifting Disco over the engine but lack of space and time are my main problems.

I will take the manifold off at the head I think and chop the exhaust underneath. I am planning not to use the turbo, it's going on a standard series gearbox, I am trying to keep it as original as possible, I also have an early 4 door Range Rover which is pretty rusty too but that's another story!