Friend has a legacy wagon I offered to do a clutch on starting tomorrow. Been awhile since I've done an EJ clutch job and I've never done one by itself, always with a motor swap or something.

 

I hate doing clutches, or should I say hate pulling engines, but want to help the guy, any tips or anything for making this fast?

 

Flop a/c over, yank motor?

Gary,

 

You know this but I always just yank the engine. It's not that hard with the few handy tools.

 

I worry more about what else to do while the engine it out. I ALWAYS replace the clutch fork clips and have the flywheel done.

 

 

But things like a timing belt job and related (seals, WP, idlers), I always throw new plugs in while they are easy. Those may be the expensive plugs but why not unless the ones in there are real fresh? Valve covers are easy at this stage. Coolant.

 

That's a late enough model with the metal baffle plate that it's up to you whether to reseal it. I always do whenever I have a Suby engine out.

 

Like I've also stated on the older ones that I usually work on I've been having bad luck with slave cylinders after engine R&R so now I just budget for one. But I'm doing 95-99's with 120-180k on them so they have significant age and miles.

 

Have fun.

Right on thanks Dave. Yes planning on the timing belt gig already with it out and he's 40,000 miles (or 60k?) over due!

 

Yeah I always replace everything - clutch, pressure plate, pilot and throw out bearings, and both retaining clips. Not sure what the hydraulic equivalents are of those or if they're all the same, can't recall. But i'll figure it out when I pull it.

 

Just hoping it comes out easy, not looking forward to putting hours and hours into this.

in addition to the clips etc. you should grease the pivot point for the clutch fork. If they run dry they chirp like a bird. The 2001 legacy I drive chirps so did my 95.... real annoying. Also separating the engine from trans is tough from time to time. The dowel pins get frozen. I use a real thin screwdriver to get it open then go to two bigger one then the prybars down either side. I flop the a/c and the power steering pump.