Could anybody tell me if you can fit the engine and gearbox

joined together. It doesn't look possible. But would save the struggle with the two top bell housing bolts.

I've done it mate, a few scars where the sump scraped the front crossmember but was OK in the end.

think the drivers side turbo elbow has to come off but not sure I had to take mine off but was decat pipe

Either way mate. Top two are easy if you have the knack. Have you got your turbo elbows on already?

What's the knack then. They are a little easier if you tilt the engine back towards bulkhead. Yes turbo elbows are on

Long-ass extensions help to get the top two Neil :thumbup:

Yeah that's what I was thinking Steve

I used a long and a short extension with a Socket Elbow Knuckle to do the top ones

the answer to your question is yes its easy to fit the box and engine as 1 unit. you should drop the front subframe by an inch or so to give clearance , all manifolds elbows etc should be in place prior to fitting

As above, as baz says. 3ft long extension will get you there and you can get them finger tight from the top. Alternatively I leave the elbows off and the starter off this then gives clearance to bear hug the bell housing, then a ratchet spanner does them up. I can at a stretch reach round and do the passenger side one from the drivers side. The hardest bit doing it this way is getting the box and the engine to mesh up smoothly, I've found through multiple car adventures the use of some longer bolts to jiggle and pull it in works wonders. Have you got a proper clutch alignment tool, as apposed to a wiggle it with a stick till it looks right method? If not I've got a z one in my tool box somewhere which you can borrow but il need it back fairly soon. If if seem your post earlier I would have walked round the corner and given it to you as I was at my in laws this avo.

yes fitted combined many times..in and out. A lot easier iff you take the drivers side turbo elbo off then re-fit once you have the motor and box nailed in;)

I leave the plenum and passenger side water pipe off the back of the engine the you can reach down and do the top two bolts ;)