damaged crankshaft seal

Does anyone know if there is a way of taking the bell housing off, to get to the crank seal, without taking the engine out - again!
Having got the engine in, everything up and working, I tipped the car onto its side and fitted the exhaust, then started the engine to see what it sounded like. Suddenly there was oil pouring out of the bendix slot. Apparently I had damaged the seal when fitting it Not a happy bunny!

I've changed clutches before now with the engine in situ, so the seal ought to be possible too. Especially on a Mk2 where you have a bit more clearance between the engine and body.

Essentially you have to tilt the engine by jacking it up under the gearbox at the clutch end, until you can get to all the clutch cover bolts (offset ring spanners are handy at this point). It's necessary to remove or disconnect the radiator (top bits at least), carb, exhaust, gearchange, engine mountings and steady bar.

It's one of those jobs where you run out of swear words and get to invent some new ones. If you've only just replaced the engine, with all the nuts & bolts clean & oiled, and you have a well placed hoist, it's almost as easy to whip it out again.

Have fun!!!

You didn't slide the seal over the drop gear without a sheath over it did you?

It's an easy job to do & you don't have to remove the motor. Drain the oil, support the gearbox with a jack, take the bell housing & flywheel off (as if your doing the clutch) and then remove the dropgear cover plate. remove the duff seal, fit new one and refit, but this time have a roll of plastic over the gear to protect the seal as it passes over the gear. I cut a strip of plastic from an old tub of engine oil. It's flexible enough but not too thick. Then refit the clutch etc...

You should be able to do it easily in about 1 - 1.5 hours. Or 15 minutes during a service break

Isn't sheath a posh word for a condom?

How would James know.............he obviously doesnt use them

He uses a strip of plastic cut from an old tub of engine oil - what sort of oil comes in a tub.................................................margarine?

Thank you so much for the enlightening discussion!!!!
All done and dusted. Didn't completely remove the engine again. I had pushed the seal in too far. I thought there would be a shoulder on the casing - now I know there isn't! And it did only take the 15 mins - ish. Again, thanks to Jono's hoist!
The only problem was - when I got it all back together, I found a horseshoe clip still sitting in my tool box - Doh!
All sorted - Next problem.....
HOPE to see you all at Easter