Right Tool for the Job

Once again, thanks go out to the boys, Fab and Scat cruised on by late afternoon to help me pull the engine out of the red Corolla. There wasn’t anything terribly wrong with it, except it’s not the correct block for the model, so techinically puts me into a different class for racing. It’s the supercharged block, without the supercharger. So in actuallity I’m makeing LESS power than stock since the pistons are lower compression. Anyway, previously we’d dropped the transmission and I’ve since rebuilt it with all new bearings and synchros. I decided to pull the engine since I have a spare original spec engine, and installing the transmission onto the engine should be easier. A few little snags, but it was relatively painless.

So what is the subject about? Well, in rebuilding the transmission I ran into C clips, which I was expecting. I wasn’t expecting them to be so difficult to remove. These are the type of clips without the little holes on the ends. I bought a new snap pring plier having destroyed my last one using it as a spanner to turn in brake cylinders. (Oh yeah, I found a made in China doodad for that too, so I now have the proper tool for that one. I won’t destroy snap ring pliers or bend needle nose vise-grips now.) Try as I might, I couldn’t get these clips off with it. I managed to get one off, but its now mangled and stretched out. Went to Sears and found the snap ring pliers with tips designed correctly, and in matter of seconds had the rings off. Sheesh. Really folks, use the right tool for the job.

So now the Corolla sits with a big void up front. You know, I’m surprised no one jumped in for a picture. It seems to be the thing to do as you see it practically every pic of car with engine taken out. Looks like I’m not going to make the next race, I’ve decided as long as I have everything apart, I’m going to order a fancy clutch and flywheel and install that while everything is out. Ah well, next one!